The Alchemy Key.pdf - Veritas File System

when traveling from city to city they neither took food nor money with
them because their brother Essenes would always supply them with the
necessities of life. They held all goods in common, despised riches, and
led very frugal lives. As he seems to have been admitted to the first
degree, although he went no further, he undoubtedly knew of what he was
speaking. He says, “As for their piety towards God, it is very
extraordinary, for, before Sun-rising, they speak not a word about profane
matters, but put up certain prayers, which they have received from their
forefathers, as if they made a supplication for its rising.”
On ceremonial occasions they clothed themselves in a white
garment and we are also told that they assembled in “an apartment of their
own, into which it is not permitted to any of another sect to enter; while
they go after a pure manner into the dining room, as into a certain holy
temple.” We learn that they were famed for their fidelity, truthfulness and
mercy, were particularly charitable to the poor and distressed, while they
abominated lax conduct or profanity.
THE INITIATIONS.
“Now if anyone hath a mind to come over to their sect, he is not
immediately admitted, but is prescribed the same method of living which
they use for a year, while he continues excluded, and they give him also a
small hatchet and the aforementioned girdle and the white garment. 37 And
when he has given evidence during that time that he can observe their
continence, he approaches nearer to their way of living, and is made a
partaker of the waters of purification; yet is he even now not admitted to
live with them; for after this demonstration of fortitude, his temper is tried
two more years and if he appears to be worthy, they then admit him into
their society.
And before he is allowed to touch their common food, he is
obliged to take tremendous oaths, that in the first place he will exercise
piety towards God and then he will observe justice towards men, and that
he will do no harm to anyone, either of his own accord or by the
command of others; that he will always hate the wicked and be assistant
to the righteous; that he will ever show fidelity to all men and especially
37
Note the axe, the emblem of Sandan, etc., and the same as the gavel,
likewise the cord and the badge of innocence.
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