The history of initiation / in twelve lectures. Comprising a detailed account of the rites and ceremonies, doctrines and discipline, of all the secret and mysterious institutions of the ancient world.

  • Oliver, George, 1782-1867.
Date:
1841
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of initiation / in twelve lectures. Comprising a detailed account of the rites and ceremonies, doctrines and discipline, of all the secret and mysterious institutions of the ancient world. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. Dedication, iii. Preface ; explaining the indispensable qualifications of the Master of a Lodge, ix. LECTURE I. General Introduction.—Antiquity of initiation, 1. Tokens, when first adopted, 2. Enoch the inventor of books, ib. (n.) Employment of the first freemasons, 3. Peculiar meaning of Darkness, 5. Initiations perverted, ib. Progress of the false initiations, 7. The universal deluge, 9. Origin of the metempsychosis, 12. Decay of Masonry, 13. Essenes take charge of it, 14. Nature of the idolatrous initia¬ tions, 16. The candidate was a representative of Noah, 17. Legend of initiation, 19. Osiris and Typhon, 20. The aphanism, ib. Lamen¬ tations of Isis, 21. Caverns of initiation at Byblus, ib. (n.) The euresis, 22. Ear of corn, 22. (n.) Hieroglyphics of the mysteries, 23. Terrors of initiation, 25. Felicities of initiation, 26. Despisers of the mysteries, 27. Initiation the only means of acquiring knowledge, 28. Human victims, 29. Black, an emblem, ib. (n.) Places of initiation described, 31. Power of the priests, 34. The mysteries abolished, 35. Causes of their destruction, 36. Celebrated after the establish¬ ment of Christianity, 37. LECTURE II History of Initiation in Hindostan.—Origin of India, 38. Sects, 39. Deities, 40. Mysteries, 41. Places of initiation in Hindostan, ib. Caverns of Elephanta, 42. and Salsette, 44. Periods of initiation, 45. Four degrees, 46. First degree, ib. Investiture of the Zennar, ib. Instruction, 47. Second degree, austerities of, 48. Ceremony of initiation, 50. Bewailings, 54. Terrible ceremonies, 55. Candidate made to personate the Avaters, 56. The ten avaters described, 57. Seven caverns, 60. Bells, efficacy of, ib. (n.) Gyge’s ring, 62. Illuminated sacellum, ib. LECTURE III. Philosophy of the Eastern Mysteries.—Peculiar ceremonies, 65. Amulets, 66. Sublime Name, 67. A. U. M. 68. 69. Lecture from the Archbrahmin, 70. Virtue and science