26 THE FREEMASON’S LEXICON, (Tranaluted expreaily for the F.Q. Re Continuet from Page 419, Vol. 11.) Crata Nepoa ader die Geheimnisse der Alter Egyptiar Priester Crata Nepoa. Or the Mysteries of the ancient Egyptian Prieste— ‘So were those secrets called in a work which was published in Germany in 1770, but we have reason to doubt that there are more mysteries de- scribed in that book than ever were practised by the ancient Epyptian priests. ‘I'hose who wished to be initiated into those mysteries, it is said, must have a recommendation to one of the initiated, who again recom- mended him to the priests. ‘They referred the aspirant from Heliopolis to the teachers at Memphis, and from thence to Thebes, where he was circumcised, and left in a subterranean cavern some months to his own reflections, which reflections he was obliged to write down, in order that the priests might be enabled to judge of his ability and the strength of his understanding ; at the same time he was prohibited the use of wine and of different sorts of meats. He was afterwards brought to a cavern supported by Hermes pillars, where he had to learn by rote all the Pro- verbs, which were carved upon the pillars, and then the Thesmophorus whose duty it was to prepare and conduct the candidate, blindfolded him, bound his hands together, and conducted him to the door of an inhabited cavern, which door was opened on his conductor giving certain knocks, and answering certain questions which were put to him from within ; after he had answered some questions which were put to him by the hierophant, he was conducted round the Birantha in the midst of an artificial storm of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, and if he showed no signs of fear, then the expounder of the law, called Menies, explained to him the rules and regulations of the Crata Nepoa, which he pledged himself to obey. He was then made to kneel on his bare knees before the hierophant, and, with the point of a sword at his throat, he took the oath of trust and fidelity, calling upon the sun, the moon, and the stars as witnesses of his oath; the bandage was then removed from his eyes, he was placed between two square pillars, between which lay a ladder, consisting of seven steps or rounds, behind which were eight doors of different metals. He was exhorted to conquer his prejudices and his passions, as they are the greatest enemies to human happiness ; to fix his thoughts upon the Godhead, and to endeavour to make all his words and actions acceptable to Him. The ladder, up the seven steps of which he had to climb, was then explained to him to be a symbol of the wanderings of the soul; he was instructed in the signification of the names of the gods, and the causes of wind, thunder, and lightning ; as this first degree, in which the initiated was called Pastophoris, was pecu- liarly devoted to explaining the hidden mysteries of nature, including chemistry and anatomy, to which was added instruction in decyphering the hieroglyphics, The word amour signified secrecy, and with this word the Pastophoris also received a peculiar grip and an apron called Xylon. After sufficient proofs of his proficiency in the first degree, the Pasto- phoris was initiated, after a very long fast, into the degree of Neocori ¢ was brought into a dark apartment (Endymion), where his sensibility ‘was put to var.ous proofs; after which he was conducted by the ‘Thesmo- phorus into the assembly ; upon his entrance he was drenched with water by the stolicta (water bearer). In -order to frighten him there were aThe Freemasons Lexicon. 27 number of serpents in the assembly, which the Egyptians knew how to ° deprive of their poison. A serpent was thrown upon his body, he was then conducted to two pillars, which represented the east and west, be- tween which stood a griffin as a symbal of the sun, and before it was held a wheel with four spokes, emblematical of the four seasons. He was then taught the use of the rule, the level, and the various methods of calculating then known, as this degree was devoted to geometry and architecture. Afterwards the Neocoris was initiated into the degree of Melanephoris, and for this purpose he was introduced into a chamber decorated with embalmed bocies and coffins of various descriptions, in the midst of which stood the coffin of Osiris, which was covered with blood, and above the entrance of which were inscribed the words— “Gates of Ieath.” After having received some instructions relative to the death of Osiris, which were put in the shape of question and answer, the candidate was thrown down, wrapped up in linen bandages the same as a mummy, and he was then conducted through another door into the aboule of spirits, where the symbolically dead was handed over unto the subterranean judges to be tried for the actions he had done in this life After they had freed his limbs from the bandages in which they had been encased, he received the instructions which belonged to this degree, and was at the same time taught the laws or regulations, which forcibly impressed upon his mind that he should never thirst for blood or revenge ; that he should hasten to the support of his brethren in every case of dif- ficulty or of danger; that he should never allow a dead body to la’ without the rites of sepulture; to look for a resurrection from the dead, and a final day of judgment ; at the same time he received instructions in the history of Egypt, in geography and astronomy, in a peculiar description of writing, which was called hieroglyphical. He must, as Melanephoris, remain so long in a subterranean: cavern until they were satisfied of his capability of being instructed in the higher sciences ; he was then conducted through a dark passage, full of all sorts of horrible beings who, despite all his endeavours t» defend himself, seized upon him, bound his arms, blindfolded him, put a halter round his neck, and then brought him to the place of assembly, where he was fourthly initiated into the degree of Christophoris. He must then drink a very bitter drink called Zize, put on the boots of Arabis and the mantle of Orkus, and as a judge of the wicked he was armed with a sword and protected by the shield of Isis he had to destroy an artificial Gorgon, which was placed in a cave. His name was then written in the register of the judges of the land. He had free admittance at all times into the presence of the king, and received his support from the court, and was presented with the whole of the books of the laws of Egypt. The symbols which were attached to this degree referred to that highest degree of wisdom, whereby man ‘first becomes worthy of the name of man by having overcome his own passions and prejudices, and by having culti- vated his own intellectual faculties to the greatest possible extent. The word was Joa, the name of the great lawgiver. When the Chris- tophoris was fifthly elevated to the degree of Balahala, and entered into the assembly, he was conducted by the Balahala Horus into a cavern, from the mouth of which proceeded flames of fire, and in which he dis- covered the horrid hundred headed and scaly monster Typhon, which he had to conquer. He was taught that Typhon, or fire, represented one of the most terrific but at the same time most indispensable and useful elements, and that Horus, representing diligence and industry,28 The Freemason's Lexicon. could derive the greatest benefit from that element. He was then in- structed in chemistry, and the word was Chymia. In the followit sixth degree he was, after many reiterated trials and renewing his sacre obligation of secrecy, instructed in practical astronomy. They then conducted the newly initiated member to the so named porch of the gods, which was opened, and he there saw the whole of the Egyptian gods painted, and he was then instructed in the origin of religion, and taught a priestly dance, which represented the courses of the heavenly bodies; the word was Ibis (crane), the symbol of watchfulness. Jn the following seventh and highest degree the whole of the mysteries were more clearly explained, and it was only by the unanimous consent of the members of the highest degree that the Astronomus could receive it ; the greatest privilege which was attached to it being a vote in the election of aking. After some open intercourse the members, with the candidate for the seventh degree, withdrew secretly to some square built houses, called Manneras, outside of the town, which were supported with many pillars adorned with sphinxes and coffins, and where sumptuously deco- rated chambers represented human life. They then reminded the new prophet, after he had drank a drink (cimellas), that he had now gone through all his probations, gave him a cross, which he was constantly to carry as expressive of his stability, a wide white striped beautiful dress (etangi), a square head-dress, and the permission to read all the sacred books which were written in the Ammonitish language. Von Crell, Lorenz Florenz Friéderich, was born at Helmstadt, the 2ist January, 1744, and died Royal British Councillor and Professor at Gottingen. “ He was a celebrated chemist and mineralogist, and has left many valuable works upon those subjects. He belonged to the Lodge “ August,” at the Golden Circle in Gottingen. Crichton Wilhelm, was born at Koningsberg in Prussia, 1732, and died there Doctor of Theology and Court Chaplain. He wrote many learned works, and also a pamphlet, with the title, F. A. von Korff, a perfect man and a good Mason in life and in death. He was a member of the Lodge at the Three Crowns in Koningsberg. ql Crypto.—A word which means secrecy or mystery, from hence we lerive cryptographic, or secret writing ; eryptonymus, or one who con- ceals his tee cry] o-Catholicism; erypo-Jenitan, &c, From 1780 to 1790 the celebrated authors Frederich Nicolai and Biester pretended that they saw crypto-Catholics and crypto-Jesuits crawling everywhere, and wrote a great deal against Popery and Jesuitism. In particular they accused the Court Chaplain Stark of crypto-Catholicism, and he wrote a strong work against them, in which that upon Free- masonry is mentioned. Culdeer, Culdees.—In the year 567, Pope Gregory 1. sent a mission of monks to Great Britain to convert the Anglo-Saxon king and his people, but they found they had already their bishops, who taught them according to the ancient apostolic doctrines. The popish missionaries could never entirely destroy this ancient Christian church, and it con- tinued in existence a long time, particularly in Scotland. Their teachers, as well as the members of the church, who were distinguished for their piety, were called Culdees. There are also historical proofs extant that those ancient Culdees had a Builder’s Corporation of their own, through which they endeavoured to preserve to Rosterity their pure Christian doctrine and social institutions. It is also maintained, that the well- known ancient York Constitution is derived from them.