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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 8 of 10 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
whom held particular offices , and were entrusted with peculiar secrets . The mysteries of Isis were celebrated at the vernal equinox—those of Serapis at the summer solstice—and those of Osiris at the autumnal
equinox . It was necessary that the character of the candidate for initiation should be pure and unsullied ; the noviciate was , therefore , commanded to study those lessons which inculcated the strictest morality , and tended to purify the mind . And , as Wilkinson observes , in the " Manners and customs of the Ancient Egyptians , " vol . i ., p . 267— " The honour of ascending from the less to the greater mysteries was as highly esteemed as it was difficult to obtain—no ordinary qualification recommended the
aspirant to this important privilege—and , independent of enjoying an acknowledged reputation for learning and morality , he was required to undergo the most severe ordeal , and to show the greatest moral resignation ; but the ceremony of passing under the knife of the hierophant was merely emblematic of the regeneration ofthe neophyte " In reference to the ordeal here mentioned , Wilkinson states that he does not allude to the method of frihtening the novicewhich he does
g , not suppose to have been practised on these occasions , especially in the initiation of members of the priestly order , and he questions whether this indeed was ever done in Egypt previously to the Romans . From the attention which 1 have given to this subject , I am fully disposed to concur in opinion with the author I have quoted . Many of the explanations given as to the ceremonies used in Egyptian initiations are modern inventions , abounding in absurdities , and purely imaginary . The
genuine accounts which we possess are referable to a later period in JEgyptian history , and form no correct indication of the peculiar rites observed during the earlier periods ; but as , unquestionably , they prevailed for many years , and contained abundant references to a purer system of theology , the student should make himself acquainted with the details , which are contained in DR . OLIVER ' History of Initiation , and in other learned works which treat upon the subject . It will , howeverbe necessary to advert to some of the principal
pur-, poses of the mysteries , aud in doing so the intelligent Brother will not fail to notice the important analogies presented to his view ; thus the rites , ceremonies , and lessons imparted in the first degree ( or lesser mysteries ) were intended to purify the mind , to teach practical lessons of morality , to instruct the noviciate in the knowledge of such symbols as were necessary to impress these principles most forcibly upon his mind , and by the application of trials , both actual and mental , to test the
character and ability of the candidate , and to ascertain that he possessed sufficient energy , fortitude , and mental strength . In tbe mysteries of Osiris , the third degree , or summit of Egyptian initiation , we find the ceremonies partaking of a funereal character . The candidate was made to personify Osiris ; then , according to the legend , a wise king of Egypt , who having introduced great reforms into his own dominions , travelled abroad to diffuse similar benefits among distant nations . During his absence he left his kingdom in the care of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
whom held particular offices , and were entrusted with peculiar secrets . The mysteries of Isis were celebrated at the vernal equinox—those of Serapis at the summer solstice—and those of Osiris at the autumnal
equinox . It was necessary that the character of the candidate for initiation should be pure and unsullied ; the noviciate was , therefore , commanded to study those lessons which inculcated the strictest morality , and tended to purify the mind . And , as Wilkinson observes , in the " Manners and customs of the Ancient Egyptians , " vol . i ., p . 267— " The honour of ascending from the less to the greater mysteries was as highly esteemed as it was difficult to obtain—no ordinary qualification recommended the
aspirant to this important privilege—and , independent of enjoying an acknowledged reputation for learning and morality , he was required to undergo the most severe ordeal , and to show the greatest moral resignation ; but the ceremony of passing under the knife of the hierophant was merely emblematic of the regeneration ofthe neophyte " In reference to the ordeal here mentioned , Wilkinson states that he does not allude to the method of frihtening the novicewhich he does
g , not suppose to have been practised on these occasions , especially in the initiation of members of the priestly order , and he questions whether this indeed was ever done in Egypt previously to the Romans . From the attention which 1 have given to this subject , I am fully disposed to concur in opinion with the author I have quoted . Many of the explanations given as to the ceremonies used in Egyptian initiations are modern inventions , abounding in absurdities , and purely imaginary . The
genuine accounts which we possess are referable to a later period in JEgyptian history , and form no correct indication of the peculiar rites observed during the earlier periods ; but as , unquestionably , they prevailed for many years , and contained abundant references to a purer system of theology , the student should make himself acquainted with the details , which are contained in DR . OLIVER ' History of Initiation , and in other learned works which treat upon the subject . It will , howeverbe necessary to advert to some of the principal
pur-, poses of the mysteries , aud in doing so the intelligent Brother will not fail to notice the important analogies presented to his view ; thus the rites , ceremonies , and lessons imparted in the first degree ( or lesser mysteries ) were intended to purify the mind , to teach practical lessons of morality , to instruct the noviciate in the knowledge of such symbols as were necessary to impress these principles most forcibly upon his mind , and by the application of trials , both actual and mental , to test the
character and ability of the candidate , and to ascertain that he possessed sufficient energy , fortitude , and mental strength . In tbe mysteries of Osiris , the third degree , or summit of Egyptian initiation , we find the ceremonies partaking of a funereal character . The candidate was made to personify Osiris ; then , according to the legend , a wise king of Egypt , who having introduced great reforms into his own dominions , travelled abroad to diffuse similar benefits among distant nations . During his absence he left his kingdom in the care of