The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

64 HISTORY OF INITIATION
omnipresent Deity. Zoroaster succeeded in prevailing
on them to preserve the Sacred Fire, which, by burning
on the highest hills, was liable to be extinguished by
storms and tempests, in covered fire towers, 19 which were
circular buildings, with a dome, and a small orifice at the
top to let out the smoke. In these the sacred flame,
where God was supposed to reside, was kept perpetually
alive. 20 Thus the building represented the universe and
;
the central fire which constantly blazed within it, was
figurative of the great luminary, the Sun.
21 He then proceeded to remodel the Mysteries and ; to
accomplish with greater effect this design, he retired to
a circular cave or grotto in the mountains of Bokhara, 22
which he ornamented with a profusion of symbolical and
astronomical 23
decorations, and solemnly consecrated it to
the middle god or Mediator, 24
Mithr-As, or as he was else-
25 where denominated, the invisible Deity, the parent of
the universe, who was himself said to be born, or pro-
24,) and to Abraham as aflame of fire ; (Gen. xv., 17,) and again to
Moses as a fire at Horeb; (Exod. iii., 2.) and to the whole assembly
of the people at Sinai, when he descended upon the mountain in fire ;
(Exod. xix., 18,) and they further urged that Moses himself had told
them that their God was a consuming fire, (Deut. iv., 24,) which was
reechoed more than once; (Deut. ix., 3,) and thence the Jews were
weak enough to worship the material substance, in lieu of the invisible
and eternal God.
19
Hyde, de Eel. vet. Pers., c. 8, et passim.
20 " The Orientals make Nimrod the author of the sect of the Magi,
or worshippers of fire and tell us that ; accidentally seeing fire rise
out of the earth at a great distance from him in the East, he wor-
shipped it; and appointed one Andesham to attend the fire there,
and throw frankincense into it." (Univ. Hist., vol. i., p. 90.)
21 Pococke. Spec. Hist. Arab., p. 147.
13
Porph. de Ant. Nymph., p. 254.
23 There do not exist two opinions respecting the early knowledge
of astronomy in this quarter of the globe. Indeed, Pliny says, (Nat.
Hist, 1. i., c. 26) Belus, inventor fui1 sideralis scientiae; and Belus
was the grandson of Ham.
24 The Persians were so deeply impressed with this amiable characteristic
of their god, that they denominated every person who acted
in the capacity of a mediator between two contending parties ; Mithras.
(Plut. Isid. et Osir., p. 43.)
25
Mithras, whether corporeal or incorporeal, was unquestionably
taken by the Persians for the Supreme Deity, according to that of
Hesychius, Mi&pas 6 TCQIOTOS ev IJepoais debs, Mithras the first god
among the Persians ; who was, therefore, called in the inscription,
(Apud Gruter. Thesaur. Inscrip., p. 34,) Omnipotent! Deo Mithras.
(Cudw. Intell. Sys., 1. i., c. 4.)
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