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Article CliASSIOAL EEBEMASONRY, ← Page 7 of 11 →
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Cliassioal Eebemasonry,
The mysteries , like those of Egypt , were of two kinds , the less and the greater—held at two different periods of the year , and at two different places : the lesser , which were introductory to the greater , heing celehrated at Agree , on the banks of the Ilissus ; the greater at Eleusis . The celebration of the greater mysteries
occupied nine days , chiefly devoted to the sacrifices , processions , and other acts of worship ; and during this period the judicial tribunals were closed , an armistice was proclaimed , private enmities were hushed , and death was decreed by the Athenian senate against any one , how high soever in rank , who should disturb the sanctity of the rites . The ceremonies of initiation into both the lesser and greater
mysteries were conducted by four priests—Hierophant , * Dadouchos , Hierokeryx , and Epidomias ; and these again were assisted by numerous inferior functionaries , to whom various appellations were given indicative of their several duties . The examination of those who had been purified by the lesser mysteries , and who . were preparing for the greater , was apparently vigorous . t " But as the benefit of
initiation was great , such as were convicted of witchcraft , murder , even though unintentional , or any other heinous crimes , were debarred from those mysteries . * 'J A child , styled the child of holiness , whose innocence , it ' ¦ ¦ was believed , of itself endowed him with capacity to fulfil the requirements of the mysteries , was selected to conciliate the Deity in the name of the initiated . Of the ceremonies
which attended the initiation , we know but little ; since every postulant was required , under the most dreadful oaths , to conceal whatever he saw or heard within the hallowed precincts ; and he who violated the oaths was not only put to death , but devoted to the execration of all posterity . Crowned with myrtle and enveloped in robes , which , from this day , were preserved as sacred relics , the novices were conducted beyond the boundary impassable to the rest of men . The hierophant , with his symbols of supreme Deity and his three assistants , were carefully visible . Lest any should have been introduced not sufficiently prepared for the rites , the herald
exclaimed , " Far from hence the profane , the impious , all who are polluted by sin ! " If any such were present , and did not instantly depart , death was the never-failing doom . The s 7 cins % of new slain victims were now placed under the feet of the novices , the ritual of initiation was read , and hymns were chanted in honour of Ceres .
One of these hymns has been translated as follows : " I will declare a secret to the initiated , but let the doors be shut against the profane . But thou , Musseus , the offspring of fair Selene , attend carefully to my song ; for I shall speak of important truths . Suffer not , therefore , the former prepossessions of your mind to deprive you of that happy life which the knowledge of these mysterious truths will procure you . But look on the divine nature , incessantly contemplate it , and govern well the mind and heart . Go on in the right way , and
* ftevealer of Holy Things . f Branded Encyclopaedia . f Bell ' s Panth t The lamb skin has been in all ages the badge of innocence and purity .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Cliassioal Eebemasonry,
The mysteries , like those of Egypt , were of two kinds , the less and the greater—held at two different periods of the year , and at two different places : the lesser , which were introductory to the greater , heing celehrated at Agree , on the banks of the Ilissus ; the greater at Eleusis . The celebration of the greater mysteries
occupied nine days , chiefly devoted to the sacrifices , processions , and other acts of worship ; and during this period the judicial tribunals were closed , an armistice was proclaimed , private enmities were hushed , and death was decreed by the Athenian senate against any one , how high soever in rank , who should disturb the sanctity of the rites . The ceremonies of initiation into both the lesser and greater
mysteries were conducted by four priests—Hierophant , * Dadouchos , Hierokeryx , and Epidomias ; and these again were assisted by numerous inferior functionaries , to whom various appellations were given indicative of their several duties . The examination of those who had been purified by the lesser mysteries , and who . were preparing for the greater , was apparently vigorous . t " But as the benefit of
initiation was great , such as were convicted of witchcraft , murder , even though unintentional , or any other heinous crimes , were debarred from those mysteries . * 'J A child , styled the child of holiness , whose innocence , it ' ¦ ¦ was believed , of itself endowed him with capacity to fulfil the requirements of the mysteries , was selected to conciliate the Deity in the name of the initiated . Of the ceremonies
which attended the initiation , we know but little ; since every postulant was required , under the most dreadful oaths , to conceal whatever he saw or heard within the hallowed precincts ; and he who violated the oaths was not only put to death , but devoted to the execration of all posterity . Crowned with myrtle and enveloped in robes , which , from this day , were preserved as sacred relics , the novices were conducted beyond the boundary impassable to the rest of men . The hierophant , with his symbols of supreme Deity and his three assistants , were carefully visible . Lest any should have been introduced not sufficiently prepared for the rites , the herald
exclaimed , " Far from hence the profane , the impious , all who are polluted by sin ! " If any such were present , and did not instantly depart , death was the never-failing doom . The s 7 cins % of new slain victims were now placed under the feet of the novices , the ritual of initiation was read , and hymns were chanted in honour of Ceres .
One of these hymns has been translated as follows : " I will declare a secret to the initiated , but let the doors be shut against the profane . But thou , Musseus , the offspring of fair Selene , attend carefully to my song ; for I shall speak of important truths . Suffer not , therefore , the former prepossessions of your mind to deprive you of that happy life which the knowledge of these mysterious truths will procure you . But look on the divine nature , incessantly contemplate it , and govern well the mind and heart . Go on in the right way , and
* ftevealer of Holy Things . f Branded Encyclopaedia . f Bell ' s Panth t The lamb skin has been in all ages the badge of innocence and purity .