E.

EAGLE, KNIGHT OF THE AMERICAN. A quasi-military degree in Texas, and the Western States.

EAGLE, KNIGHT OF THE BLACK. The name of a Prussian Order founded in 1701; also of the 38th degree of the Rite of Misraim, the 66th of the Metropolitan Chapter of France, and of the 27th degree of the Primitive Scotch rite.

EAGLE, KNIGHT OF THE RED. A title in the French Ordre de la Sincerité.

EASTERN STAR, ORDER OF THE. An American adoptive system of Freemasonry. It was introduced into this country in 1778, and since that

time thousands of persons have participated in its ceremonies. The theory of the Order of the Eastern Star is founded upon the Holy writings. Five prominent female characters, illustrating as many Masonic virtues, are selected, adopted and placed under Masonic protection. Its obligations are based upon the honor of the female

sex, and framed upon the principles of Equality and Justice. Those who are entitled to receive the degrees are Master Masons, their wives, widows, sisters and daughters. [See ADOPTIVE MASONRY.]

ECLECTIC MASONRY. Soon after the convention of Wilhelmsbad, 1782, some German Masons, with the celebrated Baron Knigge at their head, conceived the idea of such a reform in the system of degrees as would confine Freemasonry, in its original and legitimate character, to the three symbolical degrees, governed by the English constitution of 1721, and in this way escape from the tyrannical usurpations of the Circles of the Strict Observance. The Lodges, however, according to this plan, were allowed to select or choose any of the higher degrees, and work them as a kind of amusement or recreation. This invention did not meet with the success anticipated, and has nearly disappeare 1. It was never introduced into the United States.

ECOSSAIS (French), Scotch. A term applied to the Ancient and Accepted rite, and the name of the fifth degree of the French system. This system has a very curious history, and at different times has promulgated nearly a hundred degrees, and through their agency all sorts of ideas and theories of a mystical character were propagated by their inventors. The apocryphal degrees, however, have gradually been discarded.

EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES. According to Herodotus, the secret institution of Isis, with its wonderful mysteries and imposing ceremonies, made its appearance simultaneously with the organization of Egyptian society and the birth of Egyptian civilization. At first the initiation into these mysteries was, probably, simply a mystic drama, representing the progress of man, from a barbarous to a civilized state, and his advancement and struggles through gloom and toil, toward the supreme perfection, whether in time or eternity. This is seen in the hieroglyphical representation of the judgment of Amenti. It is a picture of an ordeal or scrutiny to which the candidate was subjected preparatory to initiation. The ceremony of initiation itself was a progress through gloom and terror, and all possible mortal horrors, to scenes of indescribable beauty and glory. The principal seat of the mysteries was at Memphis. They were of two kinds -the Greater and the Less; the former taught by the priests of Osiris and Serapis, the latter by those of Isis. The candidate was required to furnish proofs of a pure and moral life as an evidence that he was fitted for admission or enrollment. When these conditions were fulfilled, he was required to spend a week in solitude and meditation, abstain from all unchaste acts, confine himself to a light diet, and to purify the body by frequent ablutions and severe mortifications of the flesh. Being thus prepared, the candidate was ordered to enter the pyramid during the night, where he had to descend on his hands and knees through a narrow passage without steps, until he reached a cave-like opening, through which he had to crawl to another subterranean cave, on the walls of which he found inscribed the following words: "The mortal who shall travel over this road alone, without hesitating or looking behind, shall be purified by fire, by water and by air, and if he can surmount the fear of death he shall emerge from the bosom of the earth; he shall revisit the light, and claim the right of preparing his soul for the reception of the mysteries of the great goddess Isis." At the same time three priests, disguised in masks resembling the heads of jackals, and armed with swords, sought to frighten him, first by their appearance and noise, and after

ward by enumerating the dangers that waited him on his journey. If his courage did not fail him here, he was permitted to pass on to the Hall of Fire. This was a large apartment lined with burning stuffs, and whose floor was a grate painted flame color; the bars of this grate were so narrow that they offered scarcely room enough for him to cross. Through this hall he was obliged to pass with the greatest speed to avoid the effects of the flames and heat. Having overcome this difficulty, he next encountered a wide channel fed from the waters of the Nile. Over this stream he had to swim, with a small lamp, which furnished all the light that was afforded him. On reaching the opposite side, he found a narrow passage leading to a landing place about six feet square, the floor of which was made movable by mechanism underneath. On each side were walls of rough stone, and behind wheels of metal were fixed. In front was a gate of ivory, opening inward, and preventing any farther advance. On attempting to turn two large rings annexed to the door, in hopes of continuing his journey, the wheels came into motion, producing a most terrific and stunning effect, and the floor gave way, leaving him suspended by the arms over apparently a deep abyss, from which proceeded a violent and piercing current of cold air, so that the lamp was extinguished, and he remained in complete darkness. In this process of trial, it will be observed that the candidate was exposed to the action of the four great purifying elements---Earth, Fire, Water and Air. After the risk of falling into an unknown depth had continued for a moment or two, the floor resumed its original position, the wheels ceased to revolve, and the door of ivory flew open, disclosing the sanctuary of Isis, illuminated with a blaze of light, where the priests of that goddess were assembled drawn up in two ranks, clothed in ceremonial dresses, and bearing the mysterious symbols of the Order, singing hymns in praise of their divinity, who welcomed and congratulated him on his courage and escape from the dangers which had surrounded him. The entrance to the sanctuary was constructed in the pedestal of the triple statue of Isis, Osiris and Horus; and the walls were ornamented with various allegorical figures, symbols of the Egyptian mysteries, among which were particularly prominent: 1. A serpent throwing an egg out of its mouth; a symbol of the production of all things by the heat of the sun. 2. A serpent curled up in the form of a circle, holding its tail in its mouth; an allusion to eternity, and to the uninterrupted revolution of the sun. 3. The double tau, which is meant to represent the active and passive power of nature in the generation of all things