The Hidden Mysteries Of Nature And Science.—Part Iv.

THE HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF NATURE AND SCIENCE . —PART IV .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JUUE 25 , 186 i .

( Continued from Page 502 , Vol . VIII . ) The foregoing examples are lessons taken from the Book of Nature , ancl adopted "b y science for furthering the arts of peace , but examples may be given which will show that the fierce warrior did not disdain to learn from Mother Nature . The

tertudo , or tortoise , was a military machine moving upon wheels and roofed over , used in besieging cities , under which tho soldiers worked in undermining the walls ; the name sufficiently implies whence the idea was taken . The

batteringram , aries , was used to shake and batter down walls . It consisted of a large tree , to one end of which was fastened a mass of bronze or iron , which resembled in its form the head of a ram ; and it is evident that this shape of the extremity of the engine , as well as its name , was given to it on account of the resemblance of its mode of

action to that of a ram butting with his forehead . An infinity of further examples might be cited , but I trust sufficient has been said to show the intimate connection between nature and science . The progress of knowledge which has led from the

first rude attempts of barbarous ages to present civilisation , has gone on by certain steps , which may easily be ascertained , and which it is very useful to consider , as we thereby discover the nature of human knowledge , and the relations and

importance of its different branches , while we obtain greater facilities for stud ying science and aiding its onward progress . Let ns now see IIOAV all this appertains to

Freemasonry . The lodge when revealed to an entering Mason discovers to him a representation of the world , for the universe is the temple of the Deity whom we serve ; wisdom , strength , and beauty are about his throne as pillars of his works ; for his

wisdom is infinite , his strength omnipotent , and beauty shines throughout the whole of the creation . In symmetry and order , the heavens has he stretched forth as a canopy ; the earth he has planted as his footstool ; he crowns his temple with

stars as with a diadem ; and his hands extend their power and glory ; the sun and moon are messengers of liis will , and all his law is concord . The covering of the tabernacle , and the veil of the Temple at Jerusalem were representations of the heavens ,

and were " of blue , of crimson , and purple " ( Exod . xxvi . 1 ., 2 Chron . iii . 14 ) , and such should be the covering of the lodge . "When the Creator made the heavens in then * splendour , he also spread the earth with a beauteous carpet , adorned

with various colours , fruits , and flowery meads , and " vallies glad with smiling corn ; " mountains with nodding forests for a crown , and lakes glittering like diamonds in their bosom . "While interspersed amidthe beauteous scene some giant ,

stormbeaten , arid mountain stands ; or further off , a parched desert striking horror and dismay into the heart of the weary traveller whose path lies over it , yet even here , far as the eye can see ,, nay , perhaps beyond the vision , there lies a

sweet and peaceful oasis , a resting-place with sweet , refreshing springs . All this the Mosaic pavement which represents the ground-floor of King Solomon ' s temple depicts . And is there no . analogy , no lesson to be learnt here , brethren ?

Does not a voice seem , trumpet-tongued , to cry from beneath your feet , " Life is uncertain . " Our passage through existence , though , sometimes

prosperous , is oft beset with ill ; all things here below are precarious . To-day , our feet may tread in prosperity ; to-morrow , we may totter on the uneven paths of weakness , temptation , and adversity . AVith this emblem before us , we are

morally taught not to boast of anything ; to take heed unto our ways ; to walk upright and with humility before God , for such is this existence , that there is no station in which pride can bestably founded . All men have birth , yet some are

borne to more elevated stations than others ; but , when in the grave , are all upon a level , death destroying all distinction , Then , while our feet tread on the Mosaic work , let our ideas return to the original from which we copy it ; and let every

Mason act as the dictates of reason prompt him , and live in brotherly love , faith , hope , and charity . But if some ill should still beset us , then let us cast our eyes on high , and with our hearts and minds penetrating the bright canopy above us , let us

turn for succour and support to that bright , morning star whose rising brings healing and consolation to the faithful of the human race .

Whatever , says a distinguished writer , turns the soul inward on itself , tends to concentre its forces , and fit it for greater and stronger flights of science . By looking into physical causes our minds are opened and enlarged ; and in this pursuit , whether we take or whether we lose our