The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

20 HISTORY OF INITIATION.
But the potent spell which sealed the authority of the
hierophant was the horrid custom, resorted to in times
of pressing danger or calamity, of immolating human
victims, 65 the selection of whiqh was commonly the
prerogative of the chief hierophant. 66
It is difficult to
pronounce, with any degree of precision, what was the
origin of this revolting practice, although it might probably
have arisen from an imperfect knowledge of the
prediction of the Messiah.67 Thus were the initiated
placed, by the sanction of supernatural apprehensions, at
the absolute disposal of the hierophant and the most
;
exalted rank was not exempt from an abject subserviency,
which was cemented by fearful oaths and heavy and
68
destructive penalties. Few, however, of the myriads
who sought admission into the lesser Mysteries, attained
to the higher and more perfect Degrees, for here were
imbedded the real secrets of the Institution. 69 The most
careful selection and preparation were necessary to
determine who were fitted for these important disclosures
and for this ; purpose they were subjected to a
lengthened probation of four years 70 before it was considered
safe to admit them into the Sanctum Sanctorum,
to become depositaries of those truths, the disclosure of
which might endanger, not only the Institution, but also
the authority of the civil magistrate. Hence to reveal
the Mysteries was the highest crime a person could
commit, and was usually punished by an ignominious
65 Diod. 1.
Sic., v. 1. i'v. Strabo, Euseb. Orat. ad Const.
66 Sammes. Brit., vol. i.. p. 104.
67 Vid. Ces. bel. Gal., 1. vi, c. 16.
68 The inviolable oath of J"upiter, by Styx, was referred to in the
initiations, and is thought by Mr. Faber to bear a reference to the
oath of God, at the Deluge, that he would no more drown the world ;
"for which reason, Iris, the rainbow, the daughter of Thaumas, is
represented by Hesiod as hovering over the broad surface of the ocean,
when this oath of Jupiter was taken. Now that such a phenomenon
appeared immediately after the Deluge, we are expressly informed by
Moses; and it is observable, moreover, that it was made a special
sign of God's oath to Noah. Vid. Gen. ix., 13." Faber. Mys. Cab.,
vol. i., p. 261 ; and see Fab. Pag. Idol., vol. i., p. 372, with authorities!
69 Clem. Alex. Strom. 5. And these were the Creation, Fall, and
promise of a Mediator ; the unity and trinity of the Godhead ; the
Deluge ; redemption by a bloody sacrifice ; and the soul's existence in
,a future state.
70 Tertul. adv. Valentin.