PROFANE

In the religions of Pagan antiquity, the secret rites and ceremonies performed by a few in honour of some divinity were so called. h of the Pagan gods," says Bishop War barton, "had, besides the public and open, a secret worship paid them, into which none were admitted but those who had been 'I by preparatory ceremonies, called initiation; and this secret worship was termed the mysteries." The first mysteries of which we have any account were those of nd Osiris in Egypt: whence thev were introduced into Greece and Italy, and in proce of time di eminated through the northern and western nations of Europe. A very clear and concise account of the Egyptian mysteries has been given by Sir G. Wilkinson, in'his Manners ' \utoma nf the Ancient Egyptians, of which the followinu abstract will convey their peculiarities and import- "The Egyptian mysteries consisted of two decrees, denominated greater and le ; and to become qualified for admi ion into the higher cla the aspirant must have ■1 through those of the inferior degree. The prie-ts alone could arrive at a thorough knowledge of the greater ries: l*t11 so sacred were these secrets held that many members of the sacerdotal order were not admitted to a participation in them at all, and those alone were selected for initiation who had proved themselves virtuous and deserving of the honour." " The Egyptians," says Clement of Alexandria, " neither intrusted their mysteries to every one, nor degraded the secrets of divine matters by disclosing them to the profane, reserving them for the heir-apparent*of the throne, and for such of the priests as excel- ' TTta kin»5..f!•>;,,? were he hi rh pries's nf the nation, and bv virlue nf if |.r-viru<lv to ascending the but been, which wis frequently tbe case, members of the mil i- [s. 821]