Scandinavia;" and without a reference to the various system of initiation into the religious mysteries of other nations, I should incline to that gentleman's opinion. But, by comparing the qualities and characteristics of this sacred Tree with the Ladder of the mysteries, the difficulty vanishes, and the solution appears at once simple and natural.

The basis of Ydrasil, like that of Jacob's Ladder, was the earth, where it was firmly established by three vast roots, one of which extended to the central abyss. These roots evidently referred to the three lower gates, or chambers of initiation, the last of which was Hades, or the region of the dead. Its branches covered the earth, and its top reached to the heavens, where sat, enthroned, an eagle, the representative of the supreme God. The court of the inferior gods was said to be under this tree; and Jacob said of the place where the foot of his ladder was situated, this is the house of God and the gate of heaven. On its summit sat the emblematical eagle, as Jehovah appeared on the ladder of Jacob, or on the paradisiacal mountain; and this bird, as we have already seen, was actually a component part of the visible symbol of the true God, as exhibited in the Jewish Cherubim; and the universal representation of the Deity in almost every nation under heaven. A squirrel, or messenger, continually ascended and descended, to carry celestial commissions from the eagledeity, to the council of inferior gods seated below, whence they were supposed to be disseminated over the face of the earth. And the same subordinate deities were said to take cognizance of the actions of mortals, and to convey an impartial account thereof by the squirrel to the deity seated on the summit of the Tree; which was also the office of the angelic messengers on Jacob's Ladder. A parcel of serpents, symbols of the evil power, unceasingly endeavoured to intercept the communication between God and man, by the destruction of the messenger. The monstrous serpent NIDHOGGER, who is the representation of the prince of darkness himself, we are further told," continually gnaws its root for the same purpose, willing to sever the connection

21 Edda. Fab. viii.

between the Creator and his fallen creatures, by the total demolition of the medium through which the benevolent communication is carried on. In the Hindu mythology, the prince of the evil dæmons is represented as a large serpent, whose name is NAGA. And the Hebrew name for the tempter of Eve in Paradise, translated in our version of the Bible, "the serpent," was NACHASH. These were, both, the Nidhogger of the Gothic mysteries. In the Essenian mysteries, the Holy Bible was figuratively said to be the consecrated foundation of Jacob's Ladder, because the covenants and promises of God are permanently recorded in that sacred book; and this basis, the old serpent who deceived Eve is continually endeavouring to destroy, by subverting the faith of mankind in its contents.

The three roots are emblems of Faith, Hope, and Charity, because it is by the exercise of these virtues alone, that man can enjoy a well-grounded expectation of ascending from earth to heaven. Three Virgins, symbols of Past, Present, and Future, continually watered this Tree from the fountain of Past Things; which is expressive of the solemn truth, that the deeds of men shall be kept in perpetual remembrance until the last day, when they shall be rewarded or punished, according to their works. From the surplus of this water which fell to the earth, after having refreshed the leaves of the Ash, the bees made their honey. In all the ancient mysteries, Honey was an acknowledged symbol of death; and is said, in this case, to have been produced from the refuse of the water; which, being rejected by the sacred Tree, referred unquestionably to the evil deeds contained in the water of Past Things (the good actions having been absorbed by the Ash, and, consequently, accepted by the Supreme Being, personified in the eagle); and hence the honey which was concocted from it, was emblematical of that second death, which forms the eternal punishment of sin.

In illustration of the contents of this Lecture, I here introduce the following Table, which will exhibit the SEVEN STEPPED LADDER of the mysteries in all its various and extensive application.

You have here a most extraordinary coincidence of custom with respect to the Masonic Ladder, existing in every region of the world, and all equally applicable to a gradual ascent to heaven by the practice of moral virtue. Amongst us this practice is founded on the strong basis of FAITH, which is the first step of the Ladder resting on the word of God. It produces a well grounded HOPE of sharing the promises recorded in that Sacred Volume; and this is the second step of the Masonic Ladder. The third or more perfect step is CHARITY, by which we attain the summit of the Ladder; metaphorically speaking, the dominion of bliss, and the mansion of pure and permanent delight.

9

If earth's whole orb by some dire distant eye
Were seen at once, her towering Alps would sink
And levell'd Atlas leave an even sphere.
Thus earth and all that earthly minds admire,
Is swallow'd in Eternity's vast round."

Young.

THE progress of error is rapid and uniform, when the restraints, imposed on man's depravity by a pure and peaceable religion, are exchanged for the wild dreams and enthusiastic figments of human invention; and like a spherical body precipitated with violence from the summit of an inclined plane, acquires additional force and velocity at every revolution, until its progress is irresistible. An illustration of this principle will be contained in the present Lecture on that most important emblem of Masonry-A POINT WITHIN A CIRCLE.

Whether we regard this symbol in the purity of its legitimate interpretation; or consider the unlimited corruption which it sustained in its progress through the mysteries of idolatry, the general principle will be found equally significant. It was originally the conservator of a genuine moral precept founded on a fundamental religious truth; but innovation followed innovation, until this degraded symbol became the dreadful depository of obscenity and lust.