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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 14 of 16 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
who was fabled to have been slain and his body enclosed in a chest , and committed to the waves , like the Osiris of the Egyptian mysteries . Sometimes the loss of Sita was in like manner commemorated . Strange sights were during this part of the ceremony presented to the eyes of the candidate , and amongst others a terrible appearance of Maha-deva himself , in his character of destroyer . These appearances were intended to typify the first generation of the
various members of the mythology ; they also represented the punishment of wicked spirits , and had numerous astronomical references . The Birth of Light , the dispersion of Chaos , and the mysterious process of creation , were also figuratively shadowed forth in this part of the ceremonial . The candidate next personified Vishnu , and passed through peculiar ceremonies referable to the avatars of that deity . Thusin the firsthe
, , plunged into the waters , to represent the fish-god , and in the fifth manifestation took three steps at right angles * After passing through a variety of trials , the candidate was enlightened , and introduced into the presence of the altar , when he was told that " whatever is performed without faith , whether it be sacrifices , deeds of charity , or mortifications
of the flesh , is not for this world or that which is above , " and was strictly admonished against the commission of five crimes which were prohibited under heavy penalties in this life , and punished with eternal vengeance in the next . The candidate was then solemnly obligated , and introduced into the sacred sacellum , a spacious apartment representing Keylas or l ' aradisc This was brilliantly illuminated , profusely decorated with gold and gemsornamented with statues and emblematical devicesand filled with
, , delicious fragrance . The hierophants were arrayed in gorgeous vestments , their heads crowned with mitres and tiaras of burnished gold . The candidate being now fully regenerate , received a new name , expressive of his recently-attained purity ; and being introduced to the chief Brahmin , was received by him as a brother and associate : he was then invested with a white robe and tiara , and instructed in the signs , tokens , and lectures of the order . His forehead was marked with a crossand
, an inverted level ( the tau-cross ) was inscribed on his breast , to intimate that he was advanced to an equality with the superior order of priests . He was then invested with the sacred sash , J and consecrated chaplet , received amulets to ensure the protection of Vishnu , and a serpent stone , or amulet , similar to the auguinum of the Druids . He was then entrusted with the sacred word or name , which has been before explained .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
who was fabled to have been slain and his body enclosed in a chest , and committed to the waves , like the Osiris of the Egyptian mysteries . Sometimes the loss of Sita was in like manner commemorated . Strange sights were during this part of the ceremony presented to the eyes of the candidate , and amongst others a terrible appearance of Maha-deva himself , in his character of destroyer . These appearances were intended to typify the first generation of the
various members of the mythology ; they also represented the punishment of wicked spirits , and had numerous astronomical references . The Birth of Light , the dispersion of Chaos , and the mysterious process of creation , were also figuratively shadowed forth in this part of the ceremonial . The candidate next personified Vishnu , and passed through peculiar ceremonies referable to the avatars of that deity . Thusin the firsthe
, , plunged into the waters , to represent the fish-god , and in the fifth manifestation took three steps at right angles * After passing through a variety of trials , the candidate was enlightened , and introduced into the presence of the altar , when he was told that " whatever is performed without faith , whether it be sacrifices , deeds of charity , or mortifications
of the flesh , is not for this world or that which is above , " and was strictly admonished against the commission of five crimes which were prohibited under heavy penalties in this life , and punished with eternal vengeance in the next . The candidate was then solemnly obligated , and introduced into the sacred sacellum , a spacious apartment representing Keylas or l ' aradisc This was brilliantly illuminated , profusely decorated with gold and gemsornamented with statues and emblematical devicesand filled with
, , delicious fragrance . The hierophants were arrayed in gorgeous vestments , their heads crowned with mitres and tiaras of burnished gold . The candidate being now fully regenerate , received a new name , expressive of his recently-attained purity ; and being introduced to the chief Brahmin , was received by him as a brother and associate : he was then invested with a white robe and tiara , and instructed in the signs , tokens , and lectures of the order . His forehead was marked with a crossand
, an inverted level ( the tau-cross ) was inscribed on his breast , to intimate that he was advanced to an equality with the superior order of priests . He was then invested with the sacred sash , J and consecrated chaplet , received amulets to ensure the protection of Vishnu , and a serpent stone , or amulet , similar to the auguinum of the Druids . He was then entrusted with the sacred word or name , which has been before explained .