The Origin And References Of The Hermesian Spurious Freemasonry.

strangers . No man in tho world was acquainted with any of their secrets , they alone possessed them . They were the authors of the books commonly called the books of Edris ( Enoch ) . They constructed temples dedicated to spirits , and buildings of magical wisdom . The few of those who

are now acquainted with this knowledge live retiredinsome islands near the frontiers of China , and continue to tread iu the steps of their forefathers . "The second class of the llermcsians were called Ilardmisah Alpinatoaluriyahthe

, sons of the brother of Hermes , whose name wiis Asclibianos . They married within their own families only , and far from giving their countrymen any kind of trouble , they became necessary to them in all their business . The difference between them

and the former consisted in the use of perfumes allowed to them , aud in the liberty they enjoyed to see their relations at the entrance of the sun into the several signs of the zodiac , and at the commencement of each season . On the latter occasion they had a feast of seven days . The Alhawniyah , on the contrary , were continually occupied with reading the holv

books , with acts of devotion , and with fasting . They had only one feast iu the year , lasting 28 days , beginning at the entrance of the sun into the sign Aries . At that time they approached their relations , and enjoyed perfumes and other pleasures of life . They confessed the unity

of God , the creator of all things . Blessed be His name ! They never communicated their secrets , aud Hermetic treasures to anybody , but they preserved them from generation to generation ; and for this reason they were considered so extremely

valuable as to preserve the initiated from all kinds of danger both b y laud and sea . "When a child was born , the mother took it to the priest of the temple , and laid it down on the threshold without speaking

a word . The j . riest then came with a golden cup of water in his hands , accompanied by six other priests . He said prayers , and sprinkled water over the child . If it moved and turned its face toivards the thresholdthe priest took it by the hand ,

, and conducted it into the interio : ' of the temple , ¦ where there ioas a coffin prepared on purpose . There they said prayers , and performed secret ceremonies for au hour ,

Then the priest covered the face of the child with a silk handkerchief ; a green one for girls , and a red one for boys ; put it into the coffin , shut it up , and took in his hand a stick with three heads made of silver , and set with jewels and precious

stones . This was the magical rod or staff , by the use of which divinations were effected , as tradition told of the Rod of Moses ; and it was considered to be possessed of powers equally miraculous . " The fathermother and relations of the

, child entered at this moment , andperformed prayers and hymns in humble devotion . The priest then struck the coffin with his staff thrice , and cried out;—In the name of the Lord thy God who created thee , and by whose wisdom thou existestspeak

, out the inmost secrets of the events of thy life . Amen ; for ever and ever ! The whole assembly then performed seven adorations , and standing up , the child said , " Health and heaven ' s blessing to thee !" The priest returned his greetings and asked

the usual questions , ending with , —I conjure thee to answer and promise , that as long as thou shalt exist in this world , thou wilt never reveal our secrets to any stranger .

The child promised it in thenameof TKDTH , which is written in the Table of Fate , preserved in heaven from the beginning of things ; and was told that he was received among the number of the wise and learned , the sons of science . Then opening the coffin , they purified it ivith fumigations

, and performed a sacrifice consisting of a quadruped or a bird . They burnt the blood , purified the body , and Avrapped it up in a piece of fine white linen 120 folds for a male , and GO for a female . They put it into a pot of earth , and deposited it in the

pit of sacrifices . All this was performed according to secret rites known to nobody but themselves . " The coffin was in the shape of a little chest made of olive AVOOCI , and adorned ivith gold and precious stones . If the child

happened afterwards to mention this mysterious reception , theyrejected it saying , this child cannot be trusted with our secrets and mysteries , for it may betray them . If a : i initiated person wished to withdraw from their orderhe was sure to die within

, three days . One of their greatest secrets was involved in the sacrifice of their great feast , and apipears to have been a practical illustration of the sacred number seven .