Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

239."The principal seat of the Mysteries was at Memphis, in the neighborhood of the great Pyramid (within the Pyramid). They were of two kinds, the greater and the less; the former being the mysteries of Osiris and Serapis; the latter those of Isis. "*

240."Mysteries was the name given to those religious assemblies of the ancients, whose ceremonies were conducted in secret, whose doctrines were known only to those who had obtained the right of knowledge by a previous initiation, and whose members were in possession of signs and tokens by which they were enabled to recognize each other. For the origin of ^[131] these Mysteries we must look to the Gymnosophists of India, from whom they passed through Egypt into Greece and Rome, and from whom likewise they were extended, in a more immediate line, to the northern part of Europe and to Britain. The most important of the mysteries were those of Mithras, celebrated in Persia; or Osiris and Isis, celebrated in Egypt; of Eleusis, instituted in Greece; and the Scandinavian and Druidical rites, which were confined to the Gothic and Celtic tribes. In all these various mysteries, we find a singular unity of design clearly indicating a common origin, and a purity of doctrine as evidently proving that this common origin was not to be sought for in the popular theology of the Pagan world. The ceremonies of initiation were all funereal in their character. They celebrated the death and the resurrection of some cherished being, either the object of esteem as a hero, or of devotion as a god. Subordination of degrees was instituted, and the candidate was subjected to probations varying in their character and severity; the rites were practiced in the darkness of night, and often amid the gloom of impenetrable forests or subterranean caverns; and the full fruition of knowledge, for which so much labor was endured, and so much danger incurred, was not attained until the aspirant, well tried and thoroughly purified, had reached the place of wisdom and light."*

241.Among all the Ancient people there was both a Public and a Secret worship. The Secret worship ^[132] did not originate in Egypt, but in Ancient Atlantis and from thence to Egypt. The Secret Worship has always been known as "The Mysteries" and there is no doubt but that these Mysteries were the same in Substance, in the religious philosophy, their legends and the very foundation was the same. These Mysteries could only be obtained by Initiation, and the members of such Orders were always known by signs or tokens. This Secret Worship or Initiation was not because the Initiates did not want the people to know the secrets, but because the people were not able to receive the knowledge. It is foolish to say that the Priests of the Mysteries wanted to keep the people in ignorance. Such was not the case, but the masses have never been able to receive these mysteries nor can they at the present time.

242."The qualification for initiation (in the Mysteries of Greece) were maturity of age, and purity of conduct. A character, free from suspicion of immorality, was absolutely required in the aspirant. Nero, on this account, did not dare, when in Greece, to offer himself as a candidate for initiation. The privilege was at first confined to natives of Greece, but it was afterwards extended to foreigners. Significant symbols were used as means of instructions, and words of recognition were communicated to the initiated.

243."In these regulations, as well as in the gradual advancement of the candidate from one degree to another, that resemblance to our own institution is ^[133] readily perceived, which has given these, as well as to other ancient mysteries, the appropriate name of Spurious Freemasonry. "*