Page 29 - STOLEN LEGACY By George G. M. James

C. (iii) The location of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Antiquity

"At a short distance from Danderah, now called Upper Egypt, is the most extraordinary group of
architectural ruins presented in any part of the world, known as the Temples of the ancient city
of Thebes. Thebes in its prime occupied a large area on both sides of the Nile. This city was the
centre of a great commercial nation of Upper Egypt ages before Memphis was the capital of the
second nation in Lower Egypt; and however grand the architectural monuments of the latter may
have been those of the former surpassed them. The portrayal by pencil or brush can convey but a
faint idea of the perfected city. As the city stands today, it is like a city of giants, who after a long
conflict have been destroyed, leaving the ruins of their various temples, as the only proof of their
existence "The Temple of Luxor (it was in this temple that the Grand Lodge of Initiates always
met), stands on a raised platform of brickwork covering more than two thousand feet in length
and one thousand feet in breadth (note the oblong shape, which became the pattern for all lodges
and churches in the ancient world). It is the one that interests the members of all Ancient Orders,
especially so, all the members of those Orders that worshipped at the Shrine of the Secret Fire,
more than perhaps any other, and stands on the eastern bank of the Nile. It is in a very ruined
state; but records say the stupendous scale of its proportions almost takes away the sense of its
incompleteness. Up to about a quarter of a century ago, the greater part of its columns in the
interior and outer walls had been removed, after falling, for use elsewhere. This temple was
founded by the Pharaoh Amenothis III, who constructed the southern part, including the heavy
colonnade overlooking the river; but destruction unfortunately conceals this fact. The chief
entrance to the Temple looked to the east; while the Holy Chambers at the upper end of the plain
approached the Nile. As mighty as the Temple of Luxor was, it was exceeded in magnitude and
grandeur by that of Carnak. The distance between these two great structures was a mile and a
half. Along this avenue was a double row of Sphinxes, placed twelve feet apart, and the width of
the avenue was sixty feet. When in perfect state this avenue presented the most extraordinary
entrance that the world has ever seen. If we had the power to picture from the field of
imagination the grand processions of Neophytes constantly passing through and taking part in
the ceremonies of Initiation, we would be powerless to produce the grandeur of the
surroundings, and the imposing sight of colour and magnificent trappings of those who took
part. Neither can we produce the music that kept the vast number of people in steady marching
order. Crude it might have been to the cultivated ear of the 20th century. But could not the
palpitating strain sung by massed voices on the lapse of time, whose history launches the
profoundest aspirations of the human heart, like the trend of a mighty river, because the grand
currents of Universal Law, imparting the desire to that Shadowy Past, as it steps forth from the
pages of history, dim with age? Egypt must have been, when these Temples were built, a martial
nation for records of her warlike deeds are perpetuated in deeply engraved tablets which even
now, excite the admiration of the best Judges of archaeological remains. She was also a highly
civilized nation, and of a nature that could bear the expenditure which always attends the culture
of the Arts. She surpassed in her astonishing architecture, all other nations that have existed
upon the earth."

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Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy by George G. M. James
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook