Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
cribing the whole iii the Chaldean character , a language almost universally substituted for the ancient Hebrew . About this time , we find some hints of the existence of a curious order of men in Persia , who professed to govern themselves on certain strict principles and doctrines . The sect still remainsand therefore we are enabled to produce
, a detailed account of some of its peculiar ceremonies , which must have been derived from a more ancient institution , probably from that of Zoroaster ; and the system of secrecy is somewhat similar to that which is observed amongst ourselves . The members used repeated ablutions ; they worshipped God in firethey believed that he enters into the
; soul of man as fire enters into the substance of charcoal , which , on being ignited , soon becomes fully impregnated in every part . They divided their sacred mysteries into FOUR DEGREES , each of which had its peculiar form of admission , doctrines , and secrets ; they taught resignation to God , kindness to men , reverence to parents , and cleanliness in
apparel ; they preserved the tenets of their sect a profound secret , whicli could never be revealed to the uninitiated ; they denounced a horrible death to any member who should be
imprudent enough to disclose their ineffable mysteries ; and they subjected their disciples to a long and severe probation . This preliminary ceremony is described by Sir John Malcolm , as being almost beyond the power of human endurance . " Great numbers , " says he , in his History of Persia , " perish in their efforts to reach it . The person who makes discilewhobdevo
the attempt must be a holy moored or p , , j' - tion and abstraction , has already made a progress that has placed him above the necessity of the common usages and forms of established relig ion . He must commence his endeavour to attain a state of hig her beatitude by a long fastwhich some sects conceive should not be less than forty
, days . During this fast he remains in solitude , and in a contemplative posture , ancl receives no sustenance but what is deemed necessary to prevent the soul from taking its flight , from its mortal tenement . Upon the patience and fortitude which he displays during this severe test , his character greatly depends ; but when the skeleton ( for suchafter this fast , the
, disciple alwaj's appears ) walks forth , he has still many years of trial to endure . He must either wander over deserts , or remain companionless in some frig htful solitude , occasionally seeing the Khalifa or teacher , to whom he is attached ; for the chief merit of the Sooflees ( for so ihey are called ) .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Freemasonry. The History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.
cribing the whole iii the Chaldean character , a language almost universally substituted for the ancient Hebrew . About this time , we find some hints of the existence of a curious order of men in Persia , who professed to govern themselves on certain strict principles and doctrines . The sect still remainsand therefore we are enabled to produce
, a detailed account of some of its peculiar ceremonies , which must have been derived from a more ancient institution , probably from that of Zoroaster ; and the system of secrecy is somewhat similar to that which is observed amongst ourselves . The members used repeated ablutions ; they worshipped God in firethey believed that he enters into the
; soul of man as fire enters into the substance of charcoal , which , on being ignited , soon becomes fully impregnated in every part . They divided their sacred mysteries into FOUR DEGREES , each of which had its peculiar form of admission , doctrines , and secrets ; they taught resignation to God , kindness to men , reverence to parents , and cleanliness in
apparel ; they preserved the tenets of their sect a profound secret , whicli could never be revealed to the uninitiated ; they denounced a horrible death to any member who should be
imprudent enough to disclose their ineffable mysteries ; and they subjected their disciples to a long and severe probation . This preliminary ceremony is described by Sir John Malcolm , as being almost beyond the power of human endurance . " Great numbers , " says he , in his History of Persia , " perish in their efforts to reach it . The person who makes discilewhobdevo
the attempt must be a holy moored or p , , j' - tion and abstraction , has already made a progress that has placed him above the necessity of the common usages and forms of established relig ion . He must commence his endeavour to attain a state of hig her beatitude by a long fastwhich some sects conceive should not be less than forty
, days . During this fast he remains in solitude , and in a contemplative posture , ancl receives no sustenance but what is deemed necessary to prevent the soul from taking its flight , from its mortal tenement . Upon the patience and fortitude which he displays during this severe test , his character greatly depends ; but when the skeleton ( for suchafter this fast , the
, disciple alwaj's appears ) walks forth , he has still many years of trial to endure . He must either wander over deserts , or remain companionless in some frig htful solitude , occasionally seeing the Khalifa or teacher , to whom he is attached ; for the chief merit of the Sooflees ( for so ihey are called ) .