THE GREAT PYRAMID.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2027, 23 August 1880, Page 3

THE GREAT PYRAMID.

A considerable amount of interest is being manifested in the course of lectures on this subject to be delivered this week in the Oddfellows’ Hall. They have already been given twice in Dunedin, in Invercargill, Port Chalmers and Oamarn, and in all places attracted large audiences. The remarkable book of Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Royal of Scotland,s “Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid,” is the quarry from which the materials are mostly taken, and is well worthy of a careful perusal. There is a copy of the book in the Public Library. The professional and scientific reputation of Piazzi Smyth affords a guaran tee that his statement of facts and the calcu tions based on them may bo entirely relied upon. The Great Pyramid differs from all others in Egypt—even those of nearly contemporary date—in that it contains no trace of the idolatry that prevailed in the country at the time of its erection. This circumstance, coupled with the account given by Herodotus, and in other historical records, seem to point to the conclusion that the architect belonged to an alien race—possessed of a purer faith. The date, 2170 b 0., which is astronomically determined, and the history of the time seems to indicate Melchisedek as the probable builder. The whole fabric appears to be constructed on an elaborate system of symbolism, in which every measurement and the arrangement of every portion are made to play their parts. By this means, the Great Pyramid is, it is contended, made to typify standard weights, measures and coinage, various astronomical facts, such as the solar year—the precession of the equinoxes and the sun’s distance from the earth. The

standard cubit of the Pyramid is, we are told, exactly one ten-millionth part of the earth’s polar axis, and is identical with the standard measure recommended as perfect by Sir John Herschel in 1864, before these discoveries were made. There are many other “ coincidences,” for which reference must be made to the lecture. The most striking features dwelt upon by Piazzi Smyth is the apparent Messianic character of the structure, whereby, written in stone, is given a prophecy of the Jewish and Christian dispensation and of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Whether these coincidences are accidental, or the result of inspired design, each one must determine for himself, but, at any rate, the subject is of sufficient importance to induce a large attendance at the lectures which are to be delivered hero on the subject.