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Article THE HISTORY OF INITIATION.* ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Initiation.*
passages and lofty caverns . At length , you arrive at a beautiful arched grotto of very large dimensions in the centre of which , issues a natural rock , which you are surprised to find illuminated ready for your reception . The rock itself is occupied by a number of persons , who had previously entered for that purpose ; and your ears are forthwith saluted by a variety of wild songs , which forcibly remind you of the old popular superstition respecting elves and fairies . I have little doubt , but that this is done
pursuant to an immemorial custom ; all traditions respecting the origin and import of which have , however , long been obliterated from the minds of the guides . " The Doctor observes in a
note" Some very singular excavations have been discovered between Luckmgton and Badminster , Wilts , called the Giants' caves , which are M £ B descrlbed ln Chudrey ' s Britannia Baconica , and cited in the Aubrey MSS . ' They are upon the top of a rising lull , in number about nine ; and some of them are , or were formerly , cemented with lime . Some of them are deeper , and some shallower , some broader and larger than others . They he altogether in a roio . The manner of them is two long stones set upon the sides , aud broad stones set upon the top to cover them The least of these is four feet broad
caves , and some of them are nine or ten teet long . Sir R . C . Hoare pronounces them to be ancient sepulchres ; but X conceive the learned baronet to be mistaken in this point , for the author before cited says , ' the curiosity of some ingenious men , as it is reported , within these forty years , tempted them to dig into it . and make search for some antique remains , but they found nothing but an old spur , and some few other things not worth mentioning . ' How coiiltl they be sepulchral if no remains were interred within them ? Tbe fact is , they were no more sepulchral than were the pyramids of Egypt ; and I have no hesitation in saying , that they were constructed for the self-same purpose , viz ., as places ot initiation into the mysteries . " -- ¦» . _
_ We have here a mass of information on this subject of the most interesting character , interesting under what point of view soever it may be considered ; whether , as remarkable traces of the effects of re-. S . ? . " — religion it was , on the mind of man in a state either of civilization or ignorance ; for the custom of celebrating its mysteries in caverns was alike practised by both ,-whether as an evidence of the actual uniformity which existed in these and other remarkable particulars amongst nations far
so removed from each other , as to be incapable ot communication ; or , whether as an indication of the influence which a system of secrecy possessed over the savage barbarian as well as the renned philosopher—the interest is equally engrossing , and the satisfaction equally complete . And the public—particularl y the Masonic public , ought to feel themselves indebted to the learned author who has Placed before them a book of all timewhich will stand for all time
, as a fountain of pure ancl gushing waters , where the thirst after pure knowledge may be repressed , and where the most diffident may venture to taste , and therebyimbibe the precious gift which Masonic philosophy tnus otters for their acceptance . .
In the preceding remarks , my object has been to bring prominently before the notice of Freemasons , one of the most valuable works that lias
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The History Of Initiation.*
passages and lofty caverns . At length , you arrive at a beautiful arched grotto of very large dimensions in the centre of which , issues a natural rock , which you are surprised to find illuminated ready for your reception . The rock itself is occupied by a number of persons , who had previously entered for that purpose ; and your ears are forthwith saluted by a variety of wild songs , which forcibly remind you of the old popular superstition respecting elves and fairies . I have little doubt , but that this is done
pursuant to an immemorial custom ; all traditions respecting the origin and import of which have , however , long been obliterated from the minds of the guides . " The Doctor observes in a
note" Some very singular excavations have been discovered between Luckmgton and Badminster , Wilts , called the Giants' caves , which are M £ B descrlbed ln Chudrey ' s Britannia Baconica , and cited in the Aubrey MSS . ' They are upon the top of a rising lull , in number about nine ; and some of them are , or were formerly , cemented with lime . Some of them are deeper , and some shallower , some broader and larger than others . They he altogether in a roio . The manner of them is two long stones set upon the sides , aud broad stones set upon the top to cover them The least of these is four feet broad
caves , and some of them are nine or ten teet long . Sir R . C . Hoare pronounces them to be ancient sepulchres ; but X conceive the learned baronet to be mistaken in this point , for the author before cited says , ' the curiosity of some ingenious men , as it is reported , within these forty years , tempted them to dig into it . and make search for some antique remains , but they found nothing but an old spur , and some few other things not worth mentioning . ' How coiiltl they be sepulchral if no remains were interred within them ? Tbe fact is , they were no more sepulchral than were the pyramids of Egypt ; and I have no hesitation in saying , that they were constructed for the self-same purpose , viz ., as places ot initiation into the mysteries . " -- ¦» . _
_ We have here a mass of information on this subject of the most interesting character , interesting under what point of view soever it may be considered ; whether , as remarkable traces of the effects of re-. S . ? . " — religion it was , on the mind of man in a state either of civilization or ignorance ; for the custom of celebrating its mysteries in caverns was alike practised by both ,-whether as an evidence of the actual uniformity which existed in these and other remarkable particulars amongst nations far
so removed from each other , as to be incapable ot communication ; or , whether as an indication of the influence which a system of secrecy possessed over the savage barbarian as well as the renned philosopher—the interest is equally engrossing , and the satisfaction equally complete . And the public—particularl y the Masonic public , ought to feel themselves indebted to the learned author who has Placed before them a book of all timewhich will stand for all time
, as a fountain of pure ancl gushing waters , where the thirst after pure knowledge may be repressed , and where the most diffident may venture to taste , and therebyimbibe the precious gift which Masonic philosophy tnus otters for their acceptance . .
In the preceding remarks , my object has been to bring prominently before the notice of Freemasons , one of the most valuable works that lias