The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

62 HISTORY OF INITIATION
his countrymen in Babylon. He afterwards became an
attendant on the prophet Daniel, and from him received
initiation into all the mysteries of the Jewish doctrine
and practice. His abilities being of a
superior cast, he
made a rapid progress
in his studies, and became one of
the most learned men of his age. Perceiving that the
homage paid to his master was inspired by his extraordinary
endowments, Zoroaster was desirous of converting
his own acquirements to the same purpose; and as he
was not enabled to prophesy by the aid of God's Holy
Spirit, he had recourse to the study of magic, which he
prosecuted under the Chaldean philosophers, who con-
ferred upon him the privilege of initiation into their
Mysteries. This brought him into disgrace with Daniel, 5
who banished him from the land, and prohibited his return
on pain of death. 6 He fled to Ecbatana, and giving
out that he was a prophet, set about the arduous and
dangerous design of reforming 7 the Persian religion ; the
character of which, by a series of gradual and imperceptible
changes, had become subverted from its primitive
object; and the Sabian system had almost prevailed over
the ancient Magian form of worship. Professing to be a
rigid Magian, this plausible impostor, like other bold innovators
of all ages and nations, soon found himself surrounded
by followers in every rank of life, who entered
into his schemes with all the enthusiasm usually excited
by novelty, and gave their most strenuous support to his
projected plan of reformation. 8 He was openly patronised
6
Hyde. Eel. vet. Pers., p. 114.
6
I have given the above account of the early life of Zoroaster on
the authority of Hyde and Prideaux, although I myself entertain
some doubts of its probability. Whoever this extraordinary character
might be, it is certain that he possessed an extensive knowledge
of all the science and philosophy then known in the world, and hud
been initiated into, the peculiar mysteries of every nation, to qualify
himself for the distinguished part he was now about to act on the
great theatre of the world. I think also it is highly probable that
two distinct personages of the same name flourished in Persia at
different eras, the former perhaps the inventor of a system which the
other improved. (Vid. Justin., 1. i., c. 1. Plin., 1. xxx., c. 1. Diog.
Laert., in Proem., &c. Prid. Con., vol. i., p. 212. Stanley on the
Chaldean Philosophy, c. 2 and ; Richardson's Dissertation, 2nd edi-
i
tion, p. 230.)
Pococke. Specim. Hist. Arab., p. 147.
8 His object evidently was to restore the ancient system of worship.
And he succeeded; and established a reputation which has asso-