The bearing forward of the Truth - the true line of Descent - has sometimes only been possible in the Cloister, or cells of the various Religious Monasteries; or, in those Secret Orders and "Fraternities," under the supervision of "Chosen Ones," and under solemn vows of secrecy.

It is certain that the principles of Science: Fundamental Mathematics, Chemistry (Alchemy), Astronomy (Astrology), veiled in Religious or Fraternal Orders, were thus protected for future ages. And the Primal Principles of Religion, under the Symbols and Synonyms of Science, were also thus preserved from attack from vulgar, cruel, and suspicious Kings and Rulers.

The "Angels of the Mysteries" were of those who knew all the Sciences of those days and their- symbols, and who organized the Societies or Fraternities to preserve and perpetuate the principles of Religious and Scientific Truth and true Fraternity or Fellowship among men. Whether Free Masonry had its origin farther back than Ancient Egypt, it is certain that its Primal Principles (the first three degrees) had their seat there and formed the basis of the Mathematical figures, diagrams, and symbols in Egyptian Temples and Cloisters. Whether "Hiram Abiff" and the "other" Hiram, or another, were the Angelic Messengers (true or false) that bore these secrets into Jerusalem, or whether they were conveyed by their Leader (Moses), who was initiated while among the Egyptians, this is known: the fundamental principles used in the construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem were similar to the knowledge found in Egypt. And to this day the Double Triangle or Six-pointed Star is used on and within Jewish Synagogues, and that was the Egyptian Symbol of Perfection (of Deity - the Most High) - the symbol of the secret and Sacred Name.

The Operative or Working Masons (of the three degrees), and the learned Masters of Masonry, knew, because they had solved the Spiritual (Symbolical) and Scientific meanings of the double Triangle - from the Malchus to the Kether (Chetar?).

Undoubtedly through the symbolism of the Jews was thus preserved unto the modern world of letters and Religious history, the true meaning of Malachi, who as the "Messenger of God" was chosen of the Angel to bear the secrets of cloister, shrine, and the "Holy of Holies," down even unto the present day.

Through Phenicia and Greece came another "Branch" of the "Mysteries," the learning formerly veiled in Free Masonry, but now "proclaimed on the house tops."

By the advancement of education, Science is no longer a mystery, "dangerous for the people to know"; learning is no longer a crime and those seeking knowledge to be viewed with suspicion alike by Kings and Priests. Religion, separated from its hand-maiden (Science), has sometimes been almost, seemingly, in decadence, or on the very brink of dissolution; but the Altar Fires have been kept burning and some-wkere over all the Earth the Angels of God's Will and Word have renewed the flickering flame.

The "Keepers of the Seals of Divine Wisdom," of the "secrets" or "hidden things" of the Spirit, were understood by Paul (educated in the lore of the Synagogue), and when he became "Aware" of the Divine Message of Jesus, he also became more illuminated concerning the meaning of the things learned in the Temple. (See Cor. I. ii.)

In organizing the Early Churches of Christians, the endeavor was to place an Illuminated One, or Embodied Angel, at the head of each Church.

Not always was this fulfilled; but in many instances the real "Angel" was found among those not chosen for any office, yet still worthy in a spiritual sense, of teaching and blessing the people.

The "Keepers of the Seals of Divine Wisdom," when within the Church, were especially instructed to give the truth according to the needs of the people, thus following the Great Teacher who either spoke in parables that only the enlightened could understand, or even when teaching his disciples, said, "I have many things to tell, but ye cannot bear them now."

Within the "Holy of Holies" of the Jewish Church, must always be kept the most sacred and secret Records and Symbols of the "Divine One" and of "Divine Wisdom."

These Sacred and Secret things were not "hidden" because unworthy, but because of the ignorance and unspirituality of Rulers, and of the multitude.

They were preserved in Synonyms (of the "Sacred Name," the "One Only God"), in Words, Signs, and Numbers. These, like the Six-pointed Star, could only be interpreted by the Highest in the Temples, and, as previously intimated, by those having knowledge of the deepest meaning of Free Masonry.

During the conflicts between the dwellers in Palestine and the invading nations, these mysteries were in great jeopardy, and, but for the Embodied Angels, would have been lost to the Hebrew nation, especially to the Children of Israel.

Free Masonry was able to bridge over the dark ages and passages of "intervening time, and to bring down into the Christian Era and nations, - largely through Phenicia and Greece, - the Sacred Emblems and their interpretations. But the operating Masons became separated from the keepers of the Mysteries; both would have been destroyed but for the added degrees that were created for the purpose of obtaining and retaining such rulers as followed the advent of Christianity, and those who might follow. There is every reason to believe that Paul was a Free Mason, and understood both the Jewish (Religious) and the Masonic interpretations of the Symbols; while some of the humble disciples were wise by inspiration, and because they were of the "Chosen Ones."

The unrevealed is not that which is eternally concealed (although there are metaphysical reasons for concluding that the "Infinite," the "Eternal," and the "Primal" and "Ultimate" are "perpetual mysteries"), but are to be known only when one is ready; as, for instance, no one would try to teach a child Algebra or Geometry who has not yet learned simple Arithmetic. In like manner the "wisdom" of which Paul speaks, and the "wisdom" ever referred to in the Records of Solomon, was the "wisdom" born of Spiritual Understanding, not simply of learning or scholarship.

Among all those ancient people, as well as in more recent centuries, the "Prophets," "Teachers," and "lesser Messiahs" kept alive the sacred fires, or altar flame, of Inspiration. But it was in the secret cell of the Recluse, in the Mystical Caves, or hidden Laboratories of the "Adepts," that the true Symbolism was preserved, and all its Inner or "Esoteric" Meaning known.

Those who, through the advancement of science under the toleration of modern civilization, reject these Sacred Records and their meanings, are often compelled to return to them for the Origines of the Sciences and Arts, so liberally cultivated and spread abroad today. But there are mental "Goths and Vandals," who, having availed themselves of the treasured learning of the past, would destroy every record of ancient learning and true Religion, and cry, "Out upon the past, it is dead!" And we make answer: So may your Mother be dead (in the body), but where would you have been without her? The past is your Mother and the Soul of her is alive; all that is great and good of today has been hers.

From the far-off valley of the Nile, the whisperings reach us from the stone lips of the Sphinx, from the inscriptions on Tomb and Monolith, and from the Silence of the Pyramids; from the valley of the Ganges, from the sacred groves of the Yogis and from the mountain heights of the Mahatmas; from behind and within the Veil of Isis; from fallen Babylon (Mother of Mysteries), who once held in her keeping all the mysterious records, all of the learning of the world; these revelations come that show how faithfully and truly the line of veiled mysteries was borne forward by the Chosen Ones.