The Master Mason's Handbook

From the beginning of Chapter I:

THE origin of Freemasonry is lost in the mists of antiquity, and its history, until comparatively recent times, is uncertain; but still we consider that there is sufficient evidence to prove that our Brotherhood is the most ancient Society in the world. Doubtless, the Craft at present varies considerably in its forms and ceremonies from that in vogue centuries ago, but it has ever presented certain characteristics, which have been faithfully handed down to the present day, such as a secret initiation, signs and tokens of recognition, and inculcation of the principles of morality and loyalty. The most probable descent of our Order appears to us to be this: — Originating in the Greek, Hebrew, and Egyptian mysteries (which, in turn, were no doubt derived from similar institutions in still older and forgotten nations), they became grafted to some extent on the Roman building guilds, the speculative character thus becoming somewhat lessened. The mediæval building fraternities were an operative continuation of the older guilds, until about the sixteenth century, when the purely speculative system entirely re- placed those grand old builders to whom we are indebted for all the magnificent cathedrals and religious edifices which are the glory of Europe, and the undying memorials of a skill which modern builders and architects appear only indifferently to imitate.

In the course of our ceremonies we are informed that "the usages and customs of Freemasonry have ever borne a near affinity to those of the ancient Egyptians," and that "the system of Pythagoras was founded on a similar principle, as well as many others of more recent date; " and Bro. the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, in treating of the Egyptian Mysteries, says, "Most of the earlier sages of Greece, like Pythagoras and Plato, are said to have been initiated in Egypt." Pythagoras certainly visited Egypt about 600 B.C., and gained the confidence of the priests, from whom he learnt many secrets; and on his way he visited Phoenicia, where he was initiated by other priests into their mysteries. On his return he settled in Crotona, and formulated and taught his doctrines, which, according to Aristotle, were the first that determined anything in moral philosophy. "Their ethics were of the loftiest and most spiritual description; virtue was with them a harmony, unity, and an endeavour to resemble the Deity: the whole life of man should be an attempt to represent on earth the beauty and harmony displayed in the order of the universe; the mind should have the body and passions under perfect control; the gods should be worshipped by simple purifications, offerings, and, above all, by sincerity and purity of heart." Pythagoras instituted among his disciples secret worship, or mysteries, and they were also taught the science of numbers, geometry, and music; the various discoveries in mathematics, music, and astronomy ascribed to Pythagoras are proofs of the mighty impression he made on his contemporaries, as well as in after ages, and from the great respect which he paid to geometry, all Masons have ever hailed him as an ancient Brother, his system being certainly a close approximation to the science of Freemasonry….