The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

92 HISTORY OF INITIATION
superior officers were the torch-bearer, (Daduchus,) the
herald, (Ceryx,) and the attendant on the altar, (0 Epiboma.)
42 Three other officers represented the Sun, the
Moon, and the planet Mercury; besides whom there
were four inferior attendants to whose care the less
important departments of these mysterious celebrations
were committed. They were denominated Epimelitse. 43
The aspirant was required to possess a character of irre-
proachable morality j
44
for as the system was reputed to
be without stain of impurity, so a dissolute candidate
was uniformly rejected with contempt, as calculated to
bring disgrace on the Institution, and involve it in all
the opprobrium of public scorn. The probationary tests
were strict and solemn. The most minute colloquial
examination of the aspirant was instituted to corroborate
the testimony of others so that it would ;
require all the
arts of successful imposture to elude the mystagogue's
investigations into his former life, character, and conduct.
45
The initiations were preceded by a public festival;
and the candidates, whether male or female, 46 were care-
fully purified in the pellucid waters of a running stream,
and endured the rigours of 'a nine days preparation ; after
which the ceremonies commenced with prayer and sacri-
fice. During the continuance of these preliminary rites,
the aspirants were exhorted to abstract their attention
from every light and worldly subject, and to fix their
minds intensely on the high and supernal celebrations
which were performed under the actual inspection of
the immortal gods, 47 to an intimate union and communion
with whom they were now about to be admitted. 48
The priests then proceeded to invoke a
blessing by
of heathen
prayer ; for the petitionary sacrifices (Avnrrixd)
nations were used at the commencement of every important
undertaking and ; success was anticipated in proportion
with the degree of sincerity that was used in
supplicating
the favour of the gods, and the sterling value of
42
Signs and Symbols, Lect. 11. Meurs. Eleusin., c. 15.
44 Hence they were habited in white, because white was an emblem
of innocence. (Cic. de Leg. et Vid. Pers., Sat. ii., v. 40.)
45
Pint, in Apopth. et Lacon.
46
ApuL Metam., 1. 11.
47
Arrian. Dissert., 1. iii., c. 20. Cic. de Leg., 1. ii., c. 14.
48 Procl. in Ramp. Plat., 1. i.