embraces of their secret institution.

It was a Type

of an Order of things yet to be created. But as every thought finds its appropriate word, so, sooner or later, will every idea find an expression in some of the forms of life. Thus, this social idea which had been laboring for ages in the hearts of the good and wise, which in these secret associations had been worshiped for centuries, and which the Masonic Brotherhood adopted as its leading thought, found an utterance, an embodiment, in the institutions of the American Republic.

From what has been said, it follows that the MYSTERIES are not only useful, but necessary. There is always the need of an institution where a higher ideal of Life shall be worshiped and sought after, than is yet to be found realized in the existing political organizations-an institution which will recombine the scattered elements of society, arm itself against the selfish tendencies of the race, give men faith in virtue and confidence in each other, and reveal to the world a diviner ideal to be actualized in its life.

If our theory be correct, these societies are precisely the institutions which the world needs at this particular crisis, and which are demanded by all the wants of man. Society needs an Ideal of a higher and better state, to which it may aspire. These associations reveal that ideal, and give it an actual being in their own particular forms. They present

to the world the picture of a new order of life-a new social arrangement far above, and in advance of, the most perfect of our political compacts. Men need faith in virtue and confidence in each other; for, without these, there can be no stability in business, nor improvement in individual or public morality. They create this faith in virtue, and insure this mutual confidence. They strengthen public morality; promote peace and good will between man and man; and seek to apply, always and everywhere, the Christian idea of Union and Love, as they are revealed in the command, "Bear one another's burdens."

CHAPTER II.

The Freemasonry of the Pyramids.

IN the foregoing chapter we have ventured to offer the theory, that the mysteries, or secret societies, as they are now termed, are providential institutions, and were employed by the master-spirits of our race as instruments of civilization, and means of social, moral, intellectual, and religious progress. And this theory, we think, will be strongly and curiously confirmed by the investigations we are about to institute.

If we direct our attention to that wonderful people which dwelt on the banks of the Nile, we shall find that the real life of the Egyptians, as a nation-at least so far as history takes any note of it-commences with Osiris and Isis, and with the establishment of the Mysteries.

These two grand and imposing figures in the Egyptian Mythology, when stripped of their mythic and poetic investiture, and shorn of their divine attributes, and brought down to a level with humanity, are seen to be two human beings, who, by the force of their genius, intelligence, and virtue,

won the admiration of those wild and untutored barbarians, taught them how to cultivate and prepare the fruits of the earth, and gave them the industrial arts and a civilization. According to the Egyptian historians, anterior to the advent of Osiris and Isis, darkness, savagery, and barbarism filled the earth. They appeared, organized society, laid the foundations of social order, established religion and law, and founded the sacred mysteries.* This assertion is probable enough; for it is not until after the time of Isis that Egyptian history attains to any degree of consistency, and speaks of the building of cities and temples, and of the constitution of the priesthood.

Simultaneous with the appearance of Egyptian society, and with the genesis of Egyptian civilization, rises into view the Secret Institution of Isis, with its wonderful mysteries and imposing ceremonies. At first, it is probable, from the little that we can gather from ancient historians touching this point, that the initiatory rite was simply a mystic drama, representing the progress of man from a barbarous to a civilized state, and his advancements and struggles, through gloom and toil, toward the supreme perfection, whether in time or eternity. This is plainly seen in the hieroglyphical representation of what is usually termed the " Judgment of Amenti."

*Vide Herodotus.

Here the neophyte is represented--after passing through various ordeals-as a suppliant in the presence of Osiris, the representative of the divinity— who holds in his hands the flagellum and crook, the emblems of justice and benevolence. Standing in this position, and surrounded by these appalling circumstances, the terrified neophyte was severely questioned, and all the acts of his life scrutinized with the severest exactitude, to ascertain if he were worthy to be allowed to pass on to higher and more important mysteries.*

*

After passing the dreaded Osiris, still guided by an initiate, disguised under a mask in the form of a dog's head,t he threaded his way through mysterious labyrinths, arriving at length at a stream of water, which he was directed to pass. At the same time, his progress was arrested by three men, also disguised under grotesque forms, who, taking a cup of water from the rivulet, bade the trembling neophyte to drink, addressing him in these words: "ASPIRANT TO THE HONOR OF A DIVINE COMPANIONSHIP, SEEKER AFTER CELESTIAL TRUTH, THIS IS THE WATER OF FORGETFULNESS! DRINK TO THE OBLIVION OF ALL YOUR VICES, THE FORGETFULNESS OF ALL YOUR

*The myth of the "Judgment of Amenti" forms a part of the Book of the Dead," and shadows forth the verities and judgments of the unseen. world. It also formed a part of the initiatory rite of Isis, which aimed to picture forth the same thought.

† In all the ancient mysteries, the initiates present at the ceremonies were disguised.