Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-07-03

. mitted TO these mysteries, all stranger
were absolutely excluded, so that man,
distinguished men, who sought initiatiol
were obliged to be adopted as Athenian
in order thereto. These mysteries wer
divided into the greater and lesser
Those who sought initiation into III,
greater were obliged to purify them
selves in the lesser mysteries by bath
ing in the river lllissus and offering
, prayers and sacrifices and living il
the greatest confluence during the in
terval Of time prescribed to them. In III,
meantime they wero instructed in thl
elements of the sacred doctrine. Wher
the time for initiation arrived the candi
date was brought into the temple anC
the ceremony was performed in the
night season, visions were seen anC
voices were heard OF the most extra
ordinary kind. A sudden splendor dis
PEELED the darkness and anon disappear
ing added new horrors TO the gloom
while flashes of lightning and peals o.
thunder heightened the terror. When
all was still and silent as the house ol
death, light came in upon the darkness
and the mysterious volume was opened
to the awe-stricken candidate.
The Athenians initiated their chill
dren as soon as practicable into these
mysteries, and would have thought il
criminal to let them die without such
an advantage, as the ceremony was an
encouragement to lead more viriuous
and regular life. The chief magistrate
of the city was appointed 10 take care
that all the ceremonies were exactly
performed and none were admitted but
under the injunction of the most invio.
liable secrecy. Horace, in alluding TO
these mysteries, says:
"Snfe is the silent tongue which none can
blsme,
Who keeps the faithful secret merits fame:
Beneath one roof meier LET him rest withme,-
Wo Ceres mysteries reveals!
In one frailbark ue'er LET US put 20 sea,
Nor tempt the jarring winds with spreading
sails.r
Silence and secrecy are Masonic vir-
tues. They have kept off the unprin-
cipled from the sanctuary of friendship,
and preserved the institution amid the
revolutions and desolations ofthe world.
The ancients strictly inculcated silence
and secrecy as virtues.
The Egyptians had so great regard
for silence and secrecy, that they set up
the god Harpocrates, TO whom they paid
peculiar honor and veneration. He was
represented with his right hand placed
near his heart, and the left down by his
side, covered with a skin full of eyes
and ears to signify that of the many
things TO be seen and heard but feSc are
to be spoken.
They had also their god Isis, the Mi
nerva Of the Greeks. At the entrance
of all the temples dedicated TO her, they
always place an image of a Sphynx
to denote that secrets were there pre-
served under sacred coverings that they
might be kept from the knowledge ofthe
vulgar, as the riddles Of the Sphynx al
ways were. ,a-r
The Greeks had a statue of brass
which they much revered. This figure
was without a tongue as representa-
ton of secrecy.
The Romans had goddess Of 'ence
whom they named Angerona. represen-
led with her fore finger on her lip as a
symbo' of silence and taciturnity.
With the Jews from the time Of their
dcliverance from Egypt until the de-
struction of their temple, the name of
Jehovah was an incommunicable Sc
cret. BY that name was the Almighty
only known to the Jews. The great un-
pronouncable name kept from all other
nations until together with the book Of
law il was lost, could only be known by
those VINO had passed the wells oi the
hallowed temple. The general prac-
tice Of the ancients as well as the Gus
toms of our own times, in enjoining Sc
crecy in important matters. one would
suppose sufficient to justify Masonic Sc.
cresy and vindicate them against all
charges OF singularity, Inconsistency, fol-
ly or crime.
Who thinks of calling in question the
right or propriety Of incorporated bo-
dies, enjoining secrecy upon their mem
bers. Brokers have their secret meet
ings to regulate the rise and fall OF
stocks. Secret committees and private
councils are enjoined not to publish
abroad their debates and proceedings.
Merchants have their exchanges, secret
meetings and PriUdte marks. Meehan-
les and artists have their secrets. Mem
bers of the bar cannot divulge the Sc
crets of their clients. Jurors and 70
lice officers have their secrets. In
courts martial the members are bound
by secrecy. Congress has its secret
sessions and private dispatches. Hus-
bands and wives and even lovers have
their secrets, and lastly churches have
their secret sessions and councis,-Ah
but there is something so awful, so ter
rife, so dark, so designing in Masonic
secrets, besides it is said apostates have
revealed them. Then Masonry can be
no longer dreadful on account Of its Sc
crets, for that which is revealed is no
longer hidden. The credulous are well
come, however, 10 the enjoyment Of all
they darkly imagine, as well as all the
knowledge they have obtained through |
the medium Of pretended friends, or
.,,o,,,a1 aoan,;ae and vvo shall close fhis /