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Article THE FREEMASONS' LEXICON.* ← Page 2 of 10 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.*
to bear the symbol of almighty power . Second , the torch-bearer , Daauchos , a representative of the sun , whose duty it was to purify the candidate for initiation , and to lead the other torch-bearers on the fifth night , on which the wandering of Ceres was represented . Thirdly , the sacrecl herald , Hieroceryx , who commanded silence to the candidate , but unto the unholy that they should fly or be accursed . Fourthly , the servant of the Alsai Epibomioswho bore the emblem of the moon .
, Besides those , the second archont , the Basileus , preserved outward order , bore the prayers of the people unto the gocls , and commanded all those who had not been initiated , ancl those who had been guilty of great enormities , to retire unto a distance . There were also servants and priestesses among them . The initiation took place at night , ancl the candidates had their brows encircled with myrtles , ancl at the entrance had to wash their hands in holy water . They were also openlinstructed
y that they were only to approach the mysteries with clean hands , pure hearts , and pure Greek ( pure Grecian language . ) The hierophant then demanded the pass-word , the question was , " Have you eat ? " or " If he hacl eat ? " and the answer , "I have fasted , and drank the mixed drink out of the sacred cup : I took it out of the chest , and after I had used it , I laid it in the basket . I took it again and laid it in tbe chest . "
In the chest were pomegranates , wallknauel , cakes , mohnkopfe , and the cup . According to another account the answer was , " I have eat out of the tympanum ancl drank out of the ky mbalon , and borne the kornos . " The candidate was then conducted through a number of quickly varing scenes , in which nothing was forgot which could conduce to stretch the phantacy to the utmost possible extent , ancl by quick transitions from horrors almost beyond enduring to celestial joys , to make a lasting and
lively impression upon his mind . They began with scenes of horror . In the midst of darkness , thunder , awful lightning , and flashes of fire , the most horrid spectres appeared of gigantic stature ancl terrific forms ; the candidate was thrown upon the ground ancl flogged , without knowing how or by whom , his nerves were frozen by horror , ancl the sweat of anguish rolled from his brows ; after having endured those torments for a sufficient length of time the curtain fell , and the courts of the
temple were disclosed to his view . He was conducted into the temple itself by the Hierophant and the Daductos , the magnificence with which it was lighted up , the splendour of the scene and glory with which he was now surrounded , confounded ancl amazed his senses as much as the horrors he had but just gone through . His sight was dazzled with / 5 the sudden appearance of a most brilliant light—pure ancl holy places and flowery meadows , on which the festive dancers amused themselves . His ears were ravished at the same time with notes from the sweetest
voices , and sounds of the most enchanting harmony . He was dismissed with the oriental mystical words Konx Om Pax , aud then had a right to attend the celebration of the lesser mysteries . The lesser mysteries commenced on the 15 th day of the month Boedromion , ancl lasted nine days . On the first day the candidates for initiation assembled themselves ; on the second they washed ancl purified themselves in the sea ; on the third they offered their offerings ; on the fourth there was a splendid processionin which the holy basket of Ceres was carried
, in a consecrated chariot ; the fifth day was called the torch day , because on the night which succeeded it the candidates wandered two ancl two in silence , and with lighted torches . In the course of their wanderings they frequently returned to the sacrecl place from whence they first started , and each time that they commenced afresh iournev it was with
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Lexicon.*
to bear the symbol of almighty power . Second , the torch-bearer , Daauchos , a representative of the sun , whose duty it was to purify the candidate for initiation , and to lead the other torch-bearers on the fifth night , on which the wandering of Ceres was represented . Thirdly , the sacrecl herald , Hieroceryx , who commanded silence to the candidate , but unto the unholy that they should fly or be accursed . Fourthly , the servant of the Alsai Epibomioswho bore the emblem of the moon .
, Besides those , the second archont , the Basileus , preserved outward order , bore the prayers of the people unto the gocls , and commanded all those who had not been initiated , ancl those who had been guilty of great enormities , to retire unto a distance . There were also servants and priestesses among them . The initiation took place at night , ancl the candidates had their brows encircled with myrtles , ancl at the entrance had to wash their hands in holy water . They were also openlinstructed
y that they were only to approach the mysteries with clean hands , pure hearts , and pure Greek ( pure Grecian language . ) The hierophant then demanded the pass-word , the question was , " Have you eat ? " or " If he hacl eat ? " and the answer , "I have fasted , and drank the mixed drink out of the sacred cup : I took it out of the chest , and after I had used it , I laid it in the basket . I took it again and laid it in tbe chest . "
In the chest were pomegranates , wallknauel , cakes , mohnkopfe , and the cup . According to another account the answer was , " I have eat out of the tympanum ancl drank out of the ky mbalon , and borne the kornos . " The candidate was then conducted through a number of quickly varing scenes , in which nothing was forgot which could conduce to stretch the phantacy to the utmost possible extent , ancl by quick transitions from horrors almost beyond enduring to celestial joys , to make a lasting and
lively impression upon his mind . They began with scenes of horror . In the midst of darkness , thunder , awful lightning , and flashes of fire , the most horrid spectres appeared of gigantic stature ancl terrific forms ; the candidate was thrown upon the ground ancl flogged , without knowing how or by whom , his nerves were frozen by horror , ancl the sweat of anguish rolled from his brows ; after having endured those torments for a sufficient length of time the curtain fell , and the courts of the
temple were disclosed to his view . He was conducted into the temple itself by the Hierophant and the Daductos , the magnificence with which it was lighted up , the splendour of the scene and glory with which he was now surrounded , confounded ancl amazed his senses as much as the horrors he had but just gone through . His sight was dazzled with / 5 the sudden appearance of a most brilliant light—pure ancl holy places and flowery meadows , on which the festive dancers amused themselves . His ears were ravished at the same time with notes from the sweetest
voices , and sounds of the most enchanting harmony . He was dismissed with the oriental mystical words Konx Om Pax , aud then had a right to attend the celebration of the lesser mysteries . The lesser mysteries commenced on the 15 th day of the month Boedromion , ancl lasted nine days . On the first day the candidates for initiation assembled themselves ; on the second they washed ancl purified themselves in the sea ; on the third they offered their offerings ; on the fourth there was a splendid processionin which the holy basket of Ceres was carried
, in a consecrated chariot ; the fifth day was called the torch day , because on the night which succeeded it the candidates wandered two ancl two in silence , and with lighted torches . In the course of their wanderings they frequently returned to the sacrecl place from whence they first started , and each time that they commenced afresh iournev it was with