When we look at the sky by day we see the sun; by night we see the moon and stars. These, and all other objects which we see in the heavens, are called heavenly bodies. Astronomy is the science which treats of these bodies. The heavenly bodies are all of immense size, most of them larger than the earth. They look small because they are so far away. If we could fly from the earth as far as we please, it would look smaller and smaller as we went farther, until at a distance of many millions of miles it would appear as a little star. If we kept on yet farther, it would at last disappear from our sight altogether. If we lived on one of the heavenly bodies, it would be to us as the earth, and the earth would be seen as a heavenly body. In trying to think of the relation of the earth to the heavens, we may liken ourselves to microscopic insects living on an apple. To them the apple is a world, than which nothing bigger can be conceived. As this continent is to their apple, so is the universe of stars to our world. We may fancy how their ideas would have to be enlarged to make them comprehend the relations of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; and then we may try to enlarge ours in the same way to understand the relations of the heavenly bodies.

Elements of Astronomy

Newcomb PHDLLD, Simon

History

Old Book Publishing

General History, Cyclopedia and Dictionary of Freemasonry

The present volume is intended to remedy many of the defects and omissions of its predecessors, and to exhibit, in a form of easy reference, the latest developments and progress of the institution, and the results of more recent investigations. It contains a comprehensive explication of the whole system of Freemasonry, and of kindred or similar associations—ancient and modem—being a careful condensation of all that has ever been written on the subject; intelligible to the Fraternity, and mysterious to theprofane. Its purpose will be effectually and satisfactorily answered, if the definitions here given of the technical and other terms of Masonry, shall prove of sufficient value to induse the reader to increase his stock of knowledge by a reference to other works, where the subjects are more thoroughly discussed, or to confirm the more advanced Mason in the truth of those noble principles of the Craft, to the study of which he has devoted his time and talents. In the preparation of the History of the Masonic Institution, every available means has been adopted to obtain the most reliable information whereon to found a truthful chronicle of its origin and early progress throughout the several parts of the world. The many and almost insurmountable difficulties in arriving at precise dates, when the materials are scattered in different places, or mixed with doubtful circumstances, are sufficient to almost deter any writer from attempting the undertaking. Notwithstanding the uncertainty with which much of the matter of history is surrounded, a diligent and careful examination of the materials, the probabilities of statements possessing the germs of truth were too convincing to be set aside without calm reflection and mature consideration. With these views the history in the accompanying pages is offered to the Fraternity, in the hope that it will prove satisfactory and useful.

Religion & Spirituality

MacOy, Robert

Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts

BIOGRAPHIES of WASHINGTON, and the most eminent of his contemporaries, have been often written so far as relates to their public acts, and in many of them we have also a portraiture of their personal and domestic history. The virtues which ennoble human character, are taught and cultivated in the lodge-room; and the mystic labours of the Master and his Craftsmen. When convened, are such as fit men for the domestic relations of life and the highest duties of citizenship. WASHINGTON, with a full knowledge of the subject, wrote: “Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interest of the Society, and be considered by them a deserving brother.” WASHINGTON'S Masonic history might have been given by his contemporaries, in all its proportions, with fullness of detail. Now, it is like a beautiful column in ruins,–its parts broken, scattered, and moss-grown. We have laboured industriously to collect these Parian fragments, and only wish some hand more skilful than our own, might have given each its due place and polish in the most beautiful pillar of the temple of American Masonry. Of the Compeers, we have not written laboured sketches. We have only given such Masonic facts as came under our observation in our researches in the Masonic history of WASHINGTON but in each case, they are from veritable records. While they establish the Masonic brotherhood of the individual, we hope they may throw some light on his character, and make his memory more dear to our American brethren.

Washington and his Masonic Compeers

Biographies & Memoirs

HAYDEN, SIDNEY

Historical

In this part of the work, as well as in the preceding it has been the author's unvarying aim to exhibit an intelligible view of the history and religion of these ancient monarchies. From the size of the book, the historical part can hardly be expected to extend beyond a mere sketch of each of the great empires. Yet, even in this limited compass, scarcely a single difficulty or an important event has escaped notice and elucidation. Especial attention has been given to chronology; and this, which has been aptly termed ?the soul of history?, has, in respect of the early portion of the annals of every nation, been very carefully investigated, and, it is hoped, accurately ascertained. But the ruling element of this volume, and, in fact, of the whole work, is its religious character. The maintenance of this throughout the series of researches comprised in the ?Gentile Nations?, has been a labour attended with very great difficulty. To pass beyond the ritualism and ceremonial externalism everywhere prevalent, to penetrate into the nature and genius of the various forms which idolatry assumed, and to form a sound judgment respecting the religious doctrines, practices, and morals of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, of Persia, Greece, and Rome, has been a most arduous task. But it has been honestly and earnestly attempted; and the result is now submitted to the candid consideration of the Christian public.

History and Religon of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks and Romans

Smith F.A.S., George

Ancient Civilizations

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