Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-08-09


"Satanism and Magic" Is the title Of
book which just now Is attracting much
attention In Paris. The author, Jules
Blais, treats at length of the sect, which,
his book asserts, has n strong footing In
the French capital. In brief, 1t Is the his
tory, aims, manuel and ritual Of the "Diab-
ollsts," or worshipers Of the archflepd.
Most Of It's details are not only impossible
to print, but beyond paraphrasing.
Enough is quoted below to plaiNly show
the character OF the sect and scope OF the
book.
"Unlike Christianity, Satanism employs
woman as its apostle and high priostess.
By strange destiny, two women have
proclaimed the mystery in this century
Katie King and the head of the Theoso-
phists, Nine. H. p. BlAvatsky, who reillu-
minated the Brahmanio and Buddhist
torches, controlling Katie King and af-
flrming the great doctrine
"In the words Of DR.. Johannes, These
misunderstood precursors Of a new era are
noble women, whose greatness shines out
of their proud eyes.
"Tho principal among satAn's disciples
Is the woman, or sorciere, rs she Is called.
To her Is delegated the awful duty Of kill
ing the children intended for sacrifice and
whose blood is drunk by the fanatics. To
her also Is given the task, after certain
novitiato OF entfclng men to join the or
der and enroll themselves under the DEVILS
banner.
"Then there Is the 'sorcirer who Is
what might DO called doctor. These men
ofIiciate at certain ceremonies, but not tho
highest; that honor Is delegated to the
magi.
1.-The magi Is the head Of tho whole so
clety. He stands alone and omnlpotent;
at once suporhuman and inhuman, impor-
tunate and unapproachable.
"The last magi was DR.. Johannes, CON
sldered the greatest oxorcist Of modern
times and an ardent believer and faithful
follower Of Vintras, an unfrocked monk,
who really introduced the cult into France
This Vintras is looked upon today as su-
prome and is believed to control tho 40
tions and thoughts of the faithful from the
great beyond.
"Kunrath theosophist and doctor, gives
us the following description Of the interior
Of q magl's home: A high room, finished IN
hard wood. On the right the alohemist's
furnace, with Its necessary appondages Of
bottles; near by was fountain; to the loft
stood an altar; deaths head lay under
tho stable. Not far away q smoking censor
sent forth It's symbolical prayer In tho
middle Of tho floor stood q table, on which
lay the magic mirror, the balance the
knife the inkstand and pen. Goblets and
musical instruments spread around were
tho only evidences OF any worldly distrao-
ton.
Tho following arc the II articles en-
bodied In tho sabbat compacts:
l. I abjure baptism and Christian faith. I
repudiato obedience to God. deny the sacra-
monts. I swear fidelity and vassalass 10 tho
Prince Of Darkness. I will do AZ other Satan
lists do, and will endoavoF 70 bring others 70
this belief
2. Thon the noophyte IL r0baptiSed In the
name Of the devil.
4. Now godtathers and godmotheTs are rs
signed and the old onos banished.
s. The devil receives piece Of the clothing
as a gage Of possession By faith and baptism
he rules the spiritual welfare; by blood, the
corporal; by ohildron, tho natural and By tho
clothing, NIL worldly goods.
T. Tho neophJte then says: "Soratch my
name out o Satan, from the Book Of Life
Insoribe my name on tho Book OF Death"
8. Then no or she adds: 81 promise 70 make
pleasing SAoyinoSs 10 thee, viii slAy magic
MY eAon nlOhsn anu SNSEy AOTbnlShb
as to even drink the blood OF young child"
II. Lastly, tho newly Initiated cries OUT Il
will never confess my sins entirely, and shall
guard An eternal silence on my dealings with
thee, o Devil"
The celebration Of the "block moss'' h
then considered with detail so much az
variance with the tastes and prejudices OF
men in general that but few quotations.
will DO given. The ceremonies arc alleged
to be based on the authority Of Rsechie
and Vlntr0s.
I'm thick cloud OF perfumes tho prfesa
ascends the altar OF satan's synagogue.
ION the table Is seon goat with q hu-
man face, already excited by some prollm-
mary homages, intoxicated by perfumes
and alteration.
1.-The priest opens box and takes Qua
some hosts, such az arc ordinarily used By
the faithful
1.-TWO nots alone arc essential for the
validity OF the black mass: ~ the Offering
Of bread and vino; (9) the conservation OF
the bread and wine"
The rites performed and the words spok-
en- during the continuance Of tho magical
ceremony are blasphemous In character,
and the sacred vessel and It's contents are
subjected to insult and mockery. The goat
plays the Internal part, ourslng and revil-
ing, and the conclusion of tho rites Is an
orgy which cannot be described.-New
York Herald.