The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

THE MYSTERIES OF BACCHUS. 101
blended with the howlings of despair for the dismemberment
of their god. The dance progressively increasing
in rapidity and wildness, soon degenerated into a scene of
confusion. The whole party, as if under the influence
of some supernatural fervour, incontinently threw off the
remaining articles of their apparel, rushed amongst each
32 other as if they were distracted and ; vociferating that
33 their god had been murdered by the Titans, threw
34 themselves into lascivious postures, and practised the
most abominable filthiness. 35
In the midst of all this confusion, a signal from the
and ex-
hierophant gave a sudden turn to the feelings
pressions of the mystae ; their mourning was changed
into joy, and the aspirant was emancipated from his confinement
amidst peals of laughter and deafening shouts
of Ev^y.a^ev, Evyxatoopev, we have foundit ! let us rejoice to-
gether !
36
for now the Euresis, or discovery, was celebrated,
and it was announced that the mangled corpse was found,
and restored from the darkness of death to life and hope.
A living serpent was inserted into the bosom of the
affrighted candidate, 37 which passing through his garments
Great son of Jove, who guid'st the tuneful throng,
Thou who presidest o'er the nightly song ;
Come with thy Naxian maids, a festive train,
Who, wild with joy and raging o'er the plain,
For thee the dance'prepare, to thee devote the strain."
FRANCKLIN.
33 The cry was Evoe ! Sabai ! Bacchi ! Hues ! Attes ! Hues ! all of
which were names of Bacchus. (Clem. Alex. Protrept.
Diod. Sic,,
1. iv., c. 3.) These exclamations are said by Strabo to have originated
in the east; and hence Dr. Wait, (Orient. Ant., p. 214,) thus
writes the passage in the Sanscrit ;
Aho! Sivl! 1st; Ad'histl Ady6 seva!
which is thus translated; "Hail! O Siva! Lord! Supreme Lord!
Salutation to the first existent !" It is more probable, however, that
this species of invocation was borrowed from the patriarchal worship.
See Exodus, (xxxiv., 6, 7,) where God himself announces his divinity
by eleven appellations.
33
It was of this period of initiation that David speaks, when lamenting
that the Israelites ate the offerings of the dead, during the disgraceful
worship of Baal Peor. (Psalm cvi., 28. Signs and Sym-
34
bols, p. 178.)
August, de Civ. Dei, 1. vi,, c. 9.
35 Clem. Alex. Cohort, ad Gent., p. 17.
36 Athen.
366.
Legat., p. 88 ; et vide etiam Plut. de Isid. et Osir., p.
37 Clem Alex. Cohort, ad Gentes. p. 11. Some say that a ser-
pent of ductile gold was used. (Fab. Pag. Idol., vol. iii., p. 116.)