Page 69 - STOLEN LEGACY By George G. M. James

Moreover, when we read the Phaedo and the doctrines, both of Opposites and Recollection
which he had advanced in proof of immortality, we are convinced that he must have received his
training from the Mystery System of Egypt, in connection with which there were Hierophants
and qualified teachers.

(b) Secondly, in dealing with the behavior of his friends, in their determination to smuggle him
away, we are dealing with their attempt to render help to a brother in distress. This was the life
that Initiates were expected to live, for brotherhood was another great principle upon which, the
Egyptian Mysteries laid emphasis. Evidently, Socrates was a "Brother Initiate" of the Egyptian
Mysteries, since it comprised one universal brotherhood.

(c) Thirdly, in dealing with the refusal of Socrates to accept liberation, again we are dealing with
a type of behaviour, which singles him out as an advanced Initiate of the ancient mysteries of
Egypt. In the paths to mastery and victory, the Mystery System regarded unselfishness or
sacrifice as an advanced stage of attainment, which must be accomplished before unlimited
power could be bestowed upon the candidate. It is true that Anaxagoras escaped for his life and
in like manner Plato and Aristotle; but this only serves to show that Socrates had reached a
higher degree in the Mysteries than all of them. This necessitated training and the training centre
was Egypt.

(d) Fourthly, with reference to the dying request of Socrates, addressed to Crito, in which he
asked him to pay a certain debt, we again encounter another of the great ideals essential to the
life of an Initiate. This in the teaching of the Mysteries embraces the exercise of a cardinal virtue
i.e., justice; a practice which the Candidate must adopt, in order that his sense of value might
also develop. Here again the action of Socrates reveals that he was a Brother Initiate, with a high
sense of justice and honesty, since he did not wish to die without discharging all his obligations.
Certainly, the dying request of Socrates reveals him as a loyal member of the Mystery System of
Egypt.

(e) Fifthly and finally, what value may we attach to the literature which deals with the farewell
conversations of Socrates with his friends and pupils? Since this literature embraces a man
whose beliefs and practices coincide with those of the Initiates of the ancient mysteries of Egypt,
then we may regard the study of Xenophon's Memorabilia, Plato's Apology, the Phaedo,
Euthyphro, Crito and Timaeus as valuable specimens of literature of the Mysteries, or Masonic
World. (Ancient Mysteries; C. H. Vail C. 24–25; also C. 32). (The Phaedo of Plato; The Timaeus
of Plato). (R. S. Clymer; Fire Philosophy C. 44; 49; 67; 75).

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Stolen Legacy: Greek Philosophy is Stolen Egyptian Philosophy by George G. M. James
The Journal of Pan African Studies 2009 eBook