Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-08
Mistellaueuns Reading.
For the YorkvilIc Enquirer.
THE TEMPLE OF MYSTERY.
BY INGOMAR.
FIRST NIGHT.

BY INGOMAR.
FIRST NIGHT.
'Tis now the mystic witching hour when
powers of earth and air conspire-When
doth cut "high jinks''-go on "lark;" but
as the crew now espy to watch their move
ments will try: I'll track them to their
hiding place, disguise myself and mask my
face; but while | thus commune with self
Pm startled by the touch of Elf, who says
O Youth, pray come with me,-come to the
Halls of Mystery. And now thro' air we're
floating round mid hoot of owl and dismal
sounds that issue from dark goblins dread
as thro' the air by Elves Pm led. Whilst
travelling round from "West' to "East,"
'to-night," he says, We'll hold feast, for
long-sOught Youth at last is found, then
gently lowers me to the ground. Yonder
Temples where we meet, and mystic crew
with JOY will greet soul like thine so glad
and bright,-asoul that's thirsting for "more
light" BY hand of Fellowship" we'll
| take. and brother Elf of thee We'll make !;
our secrets all we will impart to "listening
ear" and faithful heart" and saying thus
he led the way, then gave three" knocks,
when tyler Fay swung ope the door, and in
we 60 to step of music sweet and low.
should have stated ere we entered, or to
the Elves 1 was 'apprenticed," I was Sc
curely tied and bound with hempen cord my
neck around they stripped me naked as
when born, coat, pants and shoes were off
me torn, then "hoodwink" tied across my
eyes-I swear tits true, l tell no lies,-and
while I raved and swore and cursed, they
left me shivering in my shirt. Red drawers
then they put on me, but rolled left leg
above the knee; on right foot they a slipper
put, but naked left my poor left foot; my
| left breast and left arm were bare, which
| then to me seemed rather queer, and as en-
| tered there was pressed a compass point
| 'gainst my left breast; and thus mid shame's
| suffusive glow-they led me round with
| ''cable-tow )" they led me round that Woeful
night from "West'' to EAST in search of
slight :" then at an altar made me kneel,
where Bibles pressure l did feel upon the
palm of my left hand, on top of which
placed right hand; I felt a compass and a
square, and wondered much what they did
there, but Elfn said, these jewels rare are
used "apprenticeS" to swear; then fearful
oath they made me take that made my soul
with terror quake; it's nature l will tell to
thee when treating Of the "third" degree
for Elves, like mortals, have degrees, and
classify their mysteries.
And now 1 stray thro Mystery's Hail.
where mystic mystery shrouds with pail
the doings done in secret there-doings
whereon no light doth glare, but ALPS en-
shrouded with the gloom that wraps the lone
and silent tomb. AS thrO' the Temple now
stray, kind Elfin "Boaz" leads the way
with "caution" he new name gave me. and
round my neck hung jewels three; with
"faithful heart" and "listening ear" and
other precautions which seemed queer, as
to his arm L fondly clung he led me round
with "silent tongue;" and then to please in
guring youth he gave me "checkWOrd"
precious "truth."
To "Jachin" now he turns me DER the
Middle Temple to explore; I pass the door
with 'shibboleth" that's given to me in
bated breath; and squares sharp angle is
now pressed against my trembling bare right
breast. Then chamber round is sheWn to
me for sake, he says, of letter &C.," which
now denotes the Deity as once it did geome-
try. But difference here do not see be-
tween the ''first" and this "degree," but
Master Elf says compass point on top of
both points were under; 1 look and find it's
so, by thunder. Thisindicates, young Elfin
bright, that we have given you "more light"
Now working tools I'll give to thee with
which to work in this degree; they are the
plumb-line, level, square, and if to be true,
Elf, you dare, these emblems should thro'
peace and strife shape all your work as we'll
as life. Three jewels also l give thee, they
are Faith, Hope and Charity; now grip my
hand, and on third joint of middle finger
press the point of your thumb nail, young
"fellow craft" (be sure you ne'er extend the
left), then whisper "Jachin" in the ear as
do now, and have no fear, for tits to ears of
Elves most dear. 'Tis thus we do when on
a clark" in broad daylight or in the dark,
and cowans never understand the use we
make of our right hand. Gogreet the Elves,
don't look so daft, convince them you have
joined the craft. do look daft, for feeling
cold creeps up my sleeve-I feel Pm sold.
I came for knowledge, wisdom, light, and
naught I've got but cold and fright; the
Elves were pOking fun at me whilst they
withheld their mystery; but as came in
quest of ''light'' I'll range the Temple thro'
all night.
The "Sanctum" now do invade for solv-
ing mystery is my trade. With 'Tubal
Cain" take the rounds mid frightful noise
doth tell some sad calamity hath befel; and
as l list there's wailing sound for Eltin
"Hiram" can't be found. Now all's confu-
sion and distress, no draft is found, and none
can guess what work by Elves should now
be done in absence Of the "Widow's Son !"
for Widows Sons 'mong Elves are found,
stray waits on Hallow Fen when found are
by the Elves oft led astray, and back to
earth ne'er make their way, but in the Halls
Of Mystery dwell, where mystic mystery
weaves it's spell, and Princes oft those waits
become, as did '"Abff" the Widows Son.
A councils held-inquiry made-the roll is
called, but some evade their names to an
swer, and in fright at "loW-twelve" they do
take to fight. EmbargO'S on the shipping
laid, gloom shrouds the Elves, they're sore
Thro' east and west, and north and south,
the Elves in search are now sent out; they
search but in the country round OF Hiram
they no tidingS found: a second, third time,
now they go, and search the country to and
fro; but with fatigue they are oppressed and
sit them down awhile to rest. And while
on Mount Moriah's hill where gloomy
thoughts their minds did fill, a sound was
heard from out the gloam Of cavern deep-a
waiing moan-and "Jubela" cried-"Woe,
alas! Would that my throat was cut across
from ear to ear; my tongue torn out; my
body buried when tide is out-When tide
is at low water mark, ere l conceived deed
so dark" Then "Jubelo" exclaimed in
grief-for paintive speech doth give relief
30 that my right breast hath been torn, my
heart and vitals from it shorn, and thrown
in vale of J'osaphat as food for beast and
vampire bat ere conspired to touch or
harm the Widows Son, the Temples
charm" Then "Jubelum" in anguish
cried, while echoes filled the cavern wide
80 that my body had been severed thrown
north and south; my bowels burned, and
meier in fame or tomb been urned, but to the
four winds thrown around, that trace of me
couId ne,ar he found All Jubeia and Ju-