The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

IN GREECE. 87
effected by the harmony of numbers, 27 and that they
existed in the regions of the blessed before the world
began. 28 Odd numbers he assigned to the celestial gods,
and hence all sacrifices to those beings ought to be in
odd numbers. Even numbers were for the infernal
deities, 29
Geometry, music, and astronomy were inculcated,
because he conceived that man is indebted to
these sciences for a knowledge of what is really good and
useful. He accounted his system vain if it did not con-
30
tribute to expel vice, and introduce virtue into the mind j
and he taught that the two most excellent things for man,
were theoretic and practical virtue; i. e. to speak the
truth; and to render 'benefits to each other. The several
heads to which he reduced these virtues 31 were institution,
27 28
Stob. 1. ii.
Physic., Nicom. Arith., c. 5.
29 Serv. in JEn.,
3. How did Pythagoras reconcile this doctrine of
odd and even numbers, with his known axiom, that the numbers four
and ten were the Tetractys,
or sacred name of God? Stob. Serm.
31 One of the methods which Pythagoras used to enforce on his
disciples the practice of moral virtue, was by the use of short and
pithy sentences, which were symbolical of some great moral duty.
The following is a specimen of this mode of instruction : Sit not upon
a Oicenix, means, live not without initiation and be not ; initiated
without contemplation and discipline ; for initiation, without previous
preparation and subsequent diligence, is but to enjoy a faint shadow
of Light, and is worse than total darkness. Travelling from borne,
turn not back, for the furies go back with you. A greater than
Pj'thagoras hath ;i
said, no man having put his hand to the plough
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke ix., G2.)
Pythagoras meant the same thing applied to an inferior purpose. It
was an exhortation to his followers to pass honourably through every
degree of his system, that they might attain to perfection. Turn
away from thyself every edge. Use prudence, and abstain from
ungovernable passion. Take off thy right shoe first. This also
denoted prudence. Pass not over a balance, referred to justice and
equality. Wear not a ring. Bind not your soul about with the chain
of ignorance as the finger is bound with a ring, but be initiated into
philosophy, which separates the mind from terrestrial considerations,
and fits it for the contemplation of high and immortal things. Look
not in a glass by candlelight. Beware of that state of twilight which
consists in superficial knowledge ; for this is worse than absolute
ignorance but search for the true ;
light, that you may be enabled to
find out the nature of the Deity, and estimate his infinite perfections.
Lay not hold of every one readily with the right hand. Try and
prove every one before you admit him into your society as a friend
and brother. Eat not the heart. Eat not the brain. Do not rend
asunder the social bond which unites your society, by unnecessary
disputes or useless divisions. Put not meat in a chamber-pot. Com-