The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

84 HISTORY OF INITIATION
Mysteries were greatly improved.
The former received
the rudiments of that knowledge which afterwards elevated
him to such a distinguished rank, from Anaximander
the Milesian. His first initiation took place at Sidon ;
and he was so impressed with the idea that something
more was intended to be conveyed by this solemnity,
than the priests were able or willing to explain, that he
resolved to devote his life to the discovery. He travelled
over the world for knowledge, and was initiated into the
mysteries of all nations, that by analysing the peculiarities
of each system, he might discover the source of truth.
Hence his improved mysteries were the most perfect
approximation to the original science which could be
accomplished by an idolatrous philosopher bereft of the
aid of revelation. Some parts of his scheme would have
been unaccountable, but from the fact of his Jewish
initiation, and instruction in sacred things by Ezekiel the
prophet. 11
He enjoined upon his candidates a probation of five
years abstinence and silence 12
for he esteemed the latter
;
virtue as an unobjectionable proof of wisdom. 13 This
extended trial, called a quinquennial silence, was intended
to abstract their minds from sensible things, that they
might be enabled to reflect on the nature of the deity
with a pure and undivided attention. 14 This probation
embraced many important particulars. The candidate
was rejected if found passionate or intemperate, conten-
11 "Nazaratus the Assyrian, one of Pythagoras' masters, was by
some supposed to be the prophet Ezekiel; which opinion Clemens
the most
(Strom. 1.) oppugns; nevertheless, as Mr. Selden observes,
accurate chronology teacheth that Ezekiel and Pythagoras flourished
together, betwixt the 50th and 52nd Olympiad ; and, therefore, the
account hinders not but this Nazaratus might be Ezekiel." (Stanley,
Life of Py th.. p. 7.
12
Diog. Laert. in Vit. Pyth.
13
Apul. Florid., 1. ii. Hence the English proverb, a still tongue
marks a wise head.
14
Clem. Alex., Strom. 5. This probationary silence differed essentially
from that which was denominated Tcarre^rjs e%[tv&.la, which
implied that the initiated were bound to conceal from all the world
the secrets of the institution. The former was peculiar to the exotericks,
the latter to the esotericks. The probation of five years was
sometimes partly remitted to those who, by their age and well-known
prudence, were supposed to possess the requisite qualifications. With
these, two years were deemed a sufficient trial.