The Travels of Cyrus by Chevalier Ramsay
than historical time . In fact , in the Discourse we meet characters who had already appeared in the novel , such as Lycurgus , Solon , and Cyrus himself , who was indeed considered to be one of “ the first grand masters .” 33 Thus , we have here the same mythological foundation , which not only allows for the formation of a moral genealogy of the Order but also sets up the historical models to be followed , to the extent that the crusaders mentioned by Ramsay in his diachronic picture seem to be echoes of Cyrus himself . Pilgrim soldiers with their eyes on the center of the true religion , they have a strong association with the Temple of Jerusalem . 34 Some passages make clear reference to the novel , for example the evocation of “ man who is nothing more than a wild beast unless his nature is softened by the gentle , peaceful and philanthropic maxims that reign in our Society ”. 35 This recalls the sixth book of The Travels of Cyrus , in which the story of Nebuchadnezzar , who has become mad , is returned to humanity thanks to the prophet Daniel . Moreover , the second part of the Discourse concludes with a sort of résumé of the Bible , similar to that offered by Daniel in this same chapter of the novel .
However , an even more important idea emphatically reappears in the
Discourse : the opposition to literalism . The words spoken by the orator recall those of Amenophis :
We too have our secrets : the figurative signs of our Science , very ancient hieroglyphs and words derived from our art , which compose a language that is sometimes mute and sometimes eloquent so that we may communicate across the greatest distance and recognize our Brothers whatever language they may speak or whatever country they may come from .
Only the literal meaning is disclosed to those who are received at first . The sublime and symbolic meanings of our mysteries are only revealed to members . This is how the Orientals , the Egyptians , the Greeks and the wise men of all nations hid their dogma under figures , symbols and hieroglyphs . The letter of our laws , our rites and our secrets does not often introduce our minds to anything more than a confused jumble of unintelligible words : but initiates find in them an exquisite feast , which nourishes ,
33 This , and all further citations from the Discourse , are our translations , based on the Épernay text , accessed May 30 , 2018 ,
http :// www . gadlu . info / textes-fondateurs-de-la-franc-maconnerie / discoursde-ramsay-1736 ( no page numbers ). Not all the cited material in this article appears in published English editions , which show significant variations and omissions from the French , but an English version that is often used can be found in Robert Freke Gould , Gould ’ s History of Freemasonry throughout the World , revised by Dudley Wright , Vol . 3 ( New York : Charles Scribner ’ s Sons , 1936 ), pp . 10-15 .
34 Ramsay specifies : “ this union [ between crusaders and architects ] was created in imitation of the Israelites when they rebuilt the second temple .” ( Ramsay , Discourse .)
35 Ramsay , Discourse .
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