The Ancient Mysteries.

THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES .

( Continued from page 131 . ) EVERY circumstance in the great Mysteries conspired to produce the end for which they had been instituted . Not only the functions of the priests , but their dress , hacl a particular signification . The ministers that presided over the initations were four in number . The Supreme Pontif was called Hierophanta . His head was encircled with a diademhe represented the Demiourgosor the

, , Genius that created the world , ancl it Avas his province alone to receive the initiated . This dignity was enjoyed during life . Among the Athenians it was hereditary in the family of the Euinolpida .. He who Avas ^ . invested with this sacred office was enjoined to celibacy ; it was necessary too that be should be of a proper age , ancl have a commanding tone of voice . Next in dignity was the Dacluchus , or Lampadophoriis .- that is , the torch-bearer , remarkable for his hair

ancl the fillets that bound his head . He hacl the charge of purifying the adept before initiation : a lively image of the sun , with all Avhose attributes he Avas adorned . The third minister w as the Fpiibomius , or assistant at the altar , who carried the symbol of the moon : his name declares his function . Lastly , the Hiero-cerya , or chief of tbe sacred heralds , had the care of keeping off the profaneof instructing the aspirantand of reciting to him the formulas which

, , he was to pronounce . He held in his hand a caduceus , and was invested with tbe garments that belonged to Mercury . Hence we infer that the Mysteries Avere intended to represent the system of the Avorld ; ancl indeed , in some of them the different orders of the initiated bore tbe names of the twelve sio-ns of the zodiac and of the different , constellations .

Besides these principal ministers there Avere several others of subordidate rank ; and priestesses , called Melissa ; received the women who chose to be initiated . There Avas also a priest AVIIO was entrusted with tbe charge of the Mysteries , and who maintained order during the performance of the ceremonies . He had particular officers under him , ancl Avas called king , for as these institutions had been founded b y the first chiefs at a time when the sacerdotal office was united Avith the sovereign authoritthe peoplewdien they

y , , became free , thought themselves obliged to respect whateA r er hacl a reference to reli gion . Thus the Romans , who held the name of king in abhorrence , chose one , howeA r er , on certain occasions , to assist at tbe sacrifices ; ancl in the republic of Athens , he who had the particular superintendence of the M ysteries was called Kins- Archon .

It is now time to accompany the aspirant into the interior of the temple , ancl to enjoy with him the Avonderfnl spectacle that was there to strike his senses . The ceremony was performed at night , that obscurity might render the scene more awful . Those who were to be received advanced in silence ; they were crowned with leaves of myrtle , ancl they washed their hands at the entry of the portico . But the cleanness of the body was only emblematical of the purity of the soul ; and that no spot might remain , that they might efface the

even remembrance of their faults , they made confession to the Hierophanta , after having SAVorn that they would reveal every action of their life . It Avas on a similar occasion that the priest , having ordered Lysander to declare all the crimes he had committed : " Is it you , or the Gods , that enjoin me this confession ? " said he . " The Gods , " replied the priest . " Then do you retire , " said Lysander , " if they ask me , I will answer them . " It may be presumed that a common citizen would not have ventured on language so bold . Indeed , the