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Article THE " GOLDEN ASS" OF APULEIUS. ← Page 7 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The " Golden Ass" Of Apuleius.
death , * as will hereafter be exemplified , Avas the most natural manner of symbolizing the change . I need scarcely allude to the mysteries celebrated in honour of Adonis—the probable groundwork of tlie most beautiful legend in Craft Masonry , nor to the like ceremonies in honour of tlie murdered Osiris . A descrip tion of the breaking up of the Loclge , so to say ,
terminates xvith the words Aaote atpsatg , i . e ., "the people may depart , " f pronounced by the Secretary or head scribe J of the priesthood , ancl the assembly breaks up . So much , then , for the first initiation , or rather purification : UOAV comes the perfection or enlightening . The priest having , in the words above quotedrecommended Lucius to aspire to
, the higher mysteries , noxv proceeds to instruct him as to the means of preparation . Various precepts touching the diet to be observed , and the chastity ancl purity of life Avhich Avas to form the introduction into those higher secrets , folloAv . " " For -the clay on AA'hich the man ought to be initiated , and the priest Avho ought to officiate at the ceremony , and the expenses
necessary for the ceremony , Avould all be pointed out by the providence of the goddess . All these things he bade me endure with cautious patience , and to avoid greediness or contumacy , and , on the one hand , to avoid hesitating when called , or hastiness ivhen uncalled . But he declared that there was no one
among the initiated so mad , or rather so obstinatel y bent on destruction , as to dare to undertake a rash and sacrilegious office , and bring upon himself a deadly injury , unless the goddess gave him private admonition . For that the lairs of the Shades , and the preservation of salvation , Avere in the poAver of the gocldess , and that the traditional rite was celebrated
after the image of a voluntary death ancl of precarious restoration , seeing that the goddess is wont to choose men whose term of life is accomplished , but to xvhom the great secrets of religion may be safely intrusted , and xvhom , born again , as it xvere , by her own proxidence , she brings back again to the course of a neiv life . " At length , the xvished-for call is indicated , ancl the goddess indicates to Lucius that the clay is at hand , and instructs him as to the necessary preparations . The priest is equall y ready for his office ; he leads Lucius to the doors of ' a most
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The " Golden Ass" Of Apuleius.
death , * as will hereafter be exemplified , Avas the most natural manner of symbolizing the change . I need scarcely allude to the mysteries celebrated in honour of Adonis—the probable groundwork of tlie most beautiful legend in Craft Masonry , nor to the like ceremonies in honour of tlie murdered Osiris . A descrip tion of the breaking up of the Loclge , so to say ,
terminates xvith the words Aaote atpsatg , i . e ., "the people may depart , " f pronounced by the Secretary or head scribe J of the priesthood , ancl the assembly breaks up . So much , then , for the first initiation , or rather purification : UOAV comes the perfection or enlightening . The priest having , in the words above quotedrecommended Lucius to aspire to
, the higher mysteries , noxv proceeds to instruct him as to the means of preparation . Various precepts touching the diet to be observed , and the chastity ancl purity of life Avhich Avas to form the introduction into those higher secrets , folloAv . " " For -the clay on AA'hich the man ought to be initiated , and the priest Avho ought to officiate at the ceremony , and the expenses
necessary for the ceremony , Avould all be pointed out by the providence of the goddess . All these things he bade me endure with cautious patience , and to avoid greediness or contumacy , and , on the one hand , to avoid hesitating when called , or hastiness ivhen uncalled . But he declared that there was no one
among the initiated so mad , or rather so obstinatel y bent on destruction , as to dare to undertake a rash and sacrilegious office , and bring upon himself a deadly injury , unless the goddess gave him private admonition . For that the lairs of the Shades , and the preservation of salvation , Avere in the poAver of the gocldess , and that the traditional rite was celebrated
after the image of a voluntary death ancl of precarious restoration , seeing that the goddess is wont to choose men whose term of life is accomplished , but to xvhom the great secrets of religion may be safely intrusted , and xvhom , born again , as it xvere , by her own proxidence , she brings back again to the course of a neiv life . " At length , the xvished-for call is indicated , ancl the goddess indicates to Lucius that the clay is at hand , and instructs him as to the necessary preparations . The priest is equall y ready for his office ; he leads Lucius to the doors of ' a most