Artiole Iv.

period of probation , light in symbolic and and real beauty is revealed to the astonished neophyte . The mysteries of paganism , and particularly those of Egypt , have been useful in the public mind for the purposes of comparison with those standards Avhieh represent true "blue Masonry . " For

instance , the " mysteries of Osiris were celebrated at the autumnal equinox ; those of Serapis at the summer solstice ; and those of Isis at- the vernal equinox . " It Avill be . observed from the daily papers tMs week that " the various Eoyal Arch Chapters "

met in their respective chapter rooms for the election of office bearers , and "in the evemng , the Edinburgh Chapter , No . 1 , celebrated the festival of the Autumnal

Equinox by a banquet , & e . Plutarch affirms that Osiris means the Active Principle , or the Most Hol y being ; and Isis , the Avisdom or rule of His operation . The counterpart of this symbolism will be seen hereafter in other portions of the Masonic system . . Thus the ancient Egyptian priests

had a celebration in . some slight measure accordant with that practised by the members of Scottish E . A . Chapters . Supposing the MasoMc initiation of the 19 th century to correspond M severity with that in use in E gypt in the days of Sesostris

, Hug of Egypt , or the Indian , the Druidcal , the Scandinavian , or . the aborigmal American mysteries , the heroism of the candidate would be of no mean order ; but it is from accounts of these ceremonies , taken in connection Avith' Masonic

hrformation , which goes to make up a generally correct picture in the public mind of what Masonry really is . In the initiation service of the Egyptian Mysteries , the candidate required to prepare himself by temperance and ablutions for the sacred obligations he Avas about to adopt . The declaration wMch must be assented to

HI modern Masonry before initiation embraces , a repndiation of mercenary motives ; a free-will desire to obtain knowledge and be serviceable to his fellow-creatures ; and also that he will obey the " use and wont " ° f the fraterMty . This declaration' ansAvers to the part of the Etian preliminary

gyp probation . The other part of the Egyptian vitiation is as f OIIOAVS : ' The candidate , conducted by a guide , proceeded in the middle of the Mght to the jaouth of a IOAV gallery , situated in one of the sides of the pyramid . Having crawled

for some distance on his hands and knees , he at length came to the orifice of a wide and apparently unfathomable well , Avhich the guide directed him to descend . . Perhaps he hesitates and refuses to encounter the seeming danger ; if so , he , of course , renounces the enterpriseand is reconducted

, to the world , never again to become a candidate for initiation ; but if he is aMmated by cotuuge , he determines to descend , whereupon the conductor points Mm to an iron ladder Avhich makes the descent perfectly safe . ' At the sixtieth step" ( there is

something peculiar in this number , more particularly as associated with Time in connection Avith the pyramid ) " the candidate reached the entrance to a AvindMg gallery through a brazen door , which opened noiselessly and almost spontaneouslybut . which shut-

be-, Mnd him Avith a heavy clang , that reverberated through the holloAv passages . In front of this door was an non grate ' \ ( the reader should keep this in mind , as similar

barriers are introduced in the lodge proper ) , " through the bars of which , the aspirant beheld an extensive gallery , whose roof was supported on each side by a long row of majestic columns , and enlightened by a multitude of brilliant lamps , The voices of the priests and . priestesses of Isis

chanting funeral hymns were mingled , with the sound of melodious instruments whose melancholy tones . could not fail to affect the aspirant Avith the most solemn feelings . His guide UOAV demanded of Mm if he Avas still firm in Ms purpose of passing tMough

the trials and dangers that aAvaited him , or Avhether , overcome by Avhat he had already experienced , he was desirous of returning to the surface and abandoningthe enterprise . If he still persisted , they both entered -a narrow galleryon the Avails of AvMch were

, inscribed the folloAving significant words : — ' The mortal Avho shall travel over this road , without hesitating or looking behind , shall be purified by fire , by water ,, and by air ; and if he can surmount the fear of death he

shall emerge from the bosom of the earth ; he shall reAnsit the light , and claim the right of preparing Ms soul for the reception of the mysteries of the great goddess Isis . ' The conductor UOAV abandoned the aspirant to himself , Avarning him of the dangers that surrounded and aAyaited him , and exhorting Mm to continue" ( if he expected success ) " unshaken in his firmness . The solitary candidate UOAV continues to trayerse