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Article ON THE HISTORY OF INITIATION. ← Page 4 of 5 →
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On The History Of Initiation.
expedition . Thus essentially would the signification of every particular emblem be altered . It appears from the valuable lectures before us , that initiation into this species of Spurious Freemasonry possessed a wild and indescribable charm , which , though attractive , would blanch the cheek with apprehension at the recollection of its severe probations and dreadful ceremonies . But to balance against thisit was proclaimed that thc mysteries
, were the beginning of a neiv life of reason and virtue ; and the initiated or esoteric companions were said to entertain the most agreeable anticipations respecting death and eternity ; to comprehend all the hidden mysteries of nature ; and at their death to be elevated to the supernal mansions of the gods . They were believed also to convey great temporal felicity , and to afford absolute security amidst the most imminent dangers by land or water .
On the other hand , a public odium was studiously cast on those who refused the rites . They were considered as profane wretches , unworthy of public employment or private confidence ; sometimes proscribed as obdurate atheists , and finally condemned to everlasting punishment . And to heighten the impression , the despisers of the mysteries were considered marked men . They were exhibited in the dramatic machinery of initiation as enduring the pains of Tartarus
, a doom which ivas pronounced to be everlasting . These motives were strengthened by that undefined principle of curiosity , which is always excited by a system in which secresy forms a prominent feature ; for the human mind , reaching forward to extended information , seeks for it in those institutions where it is sunnosed tn hp
preserved ; and the knowledge which is enveloped in mystery is frequently courted with greater eagerness than that which is open to public inspection . We do not esteem the sciences or languages wliich we know , equally with others of which we are i gnorant ; and those are always deemed the most abstruse , of which we possess the least degree of information . From the prevalence of this general feeling it was that such a high degree of public curiosity attached to the mysteries . They it to be short and
professed a certain step to universal knowledge , and to elevate the soul to absolute perfection ; but the means were shrouded under the impenetrable veil of secresy , sealed by oaths and penalties the most tremendous and appalling . This feeling was not a little encouraged by the hieroglyphical characters with which the walls , columns , and ceilings of the most sacred temples were curiousl y decorated . A laudable thirst after knowled ge prompted the youth of all ranks to aspire to the ambition of
deciphering the meaning and illustration of these obscure symbols , which were said to have been communicated to the priests hy revelation from the celestial deities . Initiation was the only means of acquiring this knowledge , and it is therefore no wonder that initiation was so much in request . There was also another quality of the mind which served to recommend the mysteries;—that strange attachment to the marvellous b
y which every grade of human nature is swayed . To excite this sentiment in all its sublimity of horror , the initiations were performed at dead of night . No severity of probation could deter the bold and determined aspirant from encountering the terrors and actual dangers which led to the gratification of his curiosity , and the shades of darkness imparted vigour to the passion which looked forward to a recompense of such an exalted nature .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The History Of Initiation.
expedition . Thus essentially would the signification of every particular emblem be altered . It appears from the valuable lectures before us , that initiation into this species of Spurious Freemasonry possessed a wild and indescribable charm , which , though attractive , would blanch the cheek with apprehension at the recollection of its severe probations and dreadful ceremonies . But to balance against thisit was proclaimed that thc mysteries
, were the beginning of a neiv life of reason and virtue ; and the initiated or esoteric companions were said to entertain the most agreeable anticipations respecting death and eternity ; to comprehend all the hidden mysteries of nature ; and at their death to be elevated to the supernal mansions of the gods . They were believed also to convey great temporal felicity , and to afford absolute security amidst the most imminent dangers by land or water .
On the other hand , a public odium was studiously cast on those who refused the rites . They were considered as profane wretches , unworthy of public employment or private confidence ; sometimes proscribed as obdurate atheists , and finally condemned to everlasting punishment . And to heighten the impression , the despisers of the mysteries were considered marked men . They were exhibited in the dramatic machinery of initiation as enduring the pains of Tartarus
, a doom which ivas pronounced to be everlasting . These motives were strengthened by that undefined principle of curiosity , which is always excited by a system in which secresy forms a prominent feature ; for the human mind , reaching forward to extended information , seeks for it in those institutions where it is sunnosed tn hp
preserved ; and the knowledge which is enveloped in mystery is frequently courted with greater eagerness than that which is open to public inspection . We do not esteem the sciences or languages wliich we know , equally with others of which we are i gnorant ; and those are always deemed the most abstruse , of which we possess the least degree of information . From the prevalence of this general feeling it was that such a high degree of public curiosity attached to the mysteries . They it to be short and
professed a certain step to universal knowledge , and to elevate the soul to absolute perfection ; but the means were shrouded under the impenetrable veil of secresy , sealed by oaths and penalties the most tremendous and appalling . This feeling was not a little encouraged by the hieroglyphical characters with which the walls , columns , and ceilings of the most sacred temples were curiousl y decorated . A laudable thirst after knowled ge prompted the youth of all ranks to aspire to the ambition of
deciphering the meaning and illustration of these obscure symbols , which were said to have been communicated to the priests hy revelation from the celestial deities . Initiation was the only means of acquiring this knowledge , and it is therefore no wonder that initiation was so much in request . There was also another quality of the mind which served to recommend the mysteries;—that strange attachment to the marvellous b
y which every grade of human nature is swayed . To excite this sentiment in all its sublimity of horror , the initiations were performed at dead of night . No severity of probation could deter the bold and determined aspirant from encountering the terrors and actual dangers which led to the gratification of his curiosity , and the shades of darkness imparted vigour to the passion which looked forward to a recompense of such an exalted nature .