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Druids, was probably the oldest authority on the mysterious ways of the Gaulish clergy.” The remarkable coincidence between the chief features of the Druidic and Essenic fraternities can be accounted for only by referring them to the same origin. The truth appears to be that the Druids and Essenes derived their similarity from the spirit of brotherhood which had prevailed in all ages of the civilised world. The inherent principles they adopted seem to be that all members were engaged in the same pursuit and assented to the similar reli- gious creed, that being a belief in life after death, and it was their secrecy in that knowledge that gave them their exclusiveness. Archival records indicate that the Essenes may have been of very early origin. Theophilus Gale, who wrote a work called The Court of the Gentiles,* said: Now the origination or rise of these Essenes I conceive by the best conjectures I can make from antiquity to be in or imme- diately after the Babylonian captivity [circa 397 BC], though some make them later. Druids, was probably the oldest authority on the mysterious ways they had a well-established College of Essenes.'* They also of the Gaulish clergy.” established and maintained at least one settlement in the Qumran The remarkable coincidence between the chief features of the area by the Dead Sea, and others in Jerusalem, Antioch, Druidic and Essenic fraternities can be accounted for only by Bethlehem, Damascus and Mount Carmel. They gained their referring them to the same origin. The truth appears to be that the —_ recruits in two ways: they adopted children and reared them into Druids and Essenes derived their similarity from the spirit of the way of the principles and practices of their Order," and they brotherhood which had prevailed in all ages of the civilised world. took in people in trouble or homeless, wandering ascetics. They The inherent principles they adopted seem to be that all members were generally celibates, although Josephus indicated that the were engaged in the same pursuit and assented to the similar reli- Essenes were quite divided within themselves, and there was one gious creed, that being a belief in life after death, and it was their _ particular sect that accepted a kind of marriage between men and secrecy in that knowledge that gave them their exclusiveness. women. Archival records indicate that the Essenes may have been of The central aspect of Essenic literature is its pre-occupation very early origin. Theophilus Gale, who wrote a work called The with prophecy, and it is recorded that they had an uncanny ability Court of the Gentiles,” said: to successfully predict future events. Philo compared them not Now the origination or rise of these Essenes I conceive by the only with the Persian Magi but also with the Indian Yogis. Later best conjectures I can make from antiquity to be in or imme- researchers also connected the Druids with "the Magi of the old diately after the Babylonian captivity [circa 397 BC], though Persians".'* some make them later. The etymology of the word "Essenoi" or "Essaioi" has not been settled. In the 16th century, the name "Essene" was generally John Yarker, author of the book The Arcane Schools,” linked applied retrospectively to every ascetic religious sect living the common ancient brotherhoods together and also associated the throughout Europe during the last two centuries BC and the first Essenes with the ending of the Babylonian exile. century or so of the Christian era. Among the contending opin- It is possible...that Chaldean, whence Culdeean, was as ions today, the preferable title seems still to be "Essenes"—and, to appropriate to the Druids as to avoid confusion, that name has been the Babylonians, and that as the adopted for this work. In using this Essenes were Babylonians, the title, however, it should be remem- Culdees were Essenes, as held by The central aspect of Essenic bered that the early church called them Bede [English Church historian, 6 0.8 2 6 the "Men of Yesu", and the origin of 673-735], and thus the Essenes literature Is its pre occupation that title shall become clear in later were Culdees and the Culdees with prophecy, and It Is chapters. were Druids. recorded that they had an With what was known about the | uncanny ability to successfully Essenes, any of the names given to . them could be successfully applied. predict future events. The oldest research papers variously The Special Name of John the Baptist The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water in the world and is located at the mouth of the River Jordan, the place called them "Therapeutes", "Ascetics", where John the Baptist, according to "Monks" or "Ecclesiastics", which are the Gospels, baptised Jesus. The but different names for one and the selfsame sect. Gospels also record that John the Baptist's mother, Elizabeth, was The best-qualified researchers explain that the word "Essene" is the sister of Jesus' mother, Mariamne Herod.” This reference nothing more than the Egyptian word for the Greek Therapeute, makes John the Baptist the cousin of Jesus and thus Judas, and the signifying the character of the ascetic sect of ecclesiastic monks Gospels say he was six months older than the twins. Aunt as professing to the practice of healing.” The "ascetic" aspect of Elizabeth was married to a priest, and this has been interpreted in their existence indicates severe discipline, long fasting and the some quarters as giving John the Baptist and his family Sadducee willingness of many of them to become eunuchs. The name (far-right) connections. "monks" indicates their contemplative life and their abstraction The constant references in the Dead Sea Scrolls to a "New from the world. "Ecclesiastics" is of the same sense and indicates Covenant" are directly linked to the New Testament letters (today their being called out, elected and set apart to the more immediate called "epistles") that are attributed by the Church to the disciple services and honour of God. Paul. The Bible, however, records that there were many authors They had a flourishing university, or corporate body, estab- associated with the epistles (they are named in a later chapter). lished on these principles, at Alexandria in Egypt, long The two authors of the Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. before the period assigned for the birth of Jesus Christ. 3:6) state that they were "ministers of a New Covenant", which From this body they sent out missionaries, and had estab- connected them with the "Keepers of the New Covenant" or the lished colonies, auxiliary branches and affiliated communi- "Community of the New Covenant". In other words, they were ties in various cities of Asia Minor, which colonies were in a members of one of the various Essene communities of the time. flourishing condition before the preaching of Paul. They also The "New Covenant" basically entailed a belief in certain of the resided in monasteries on the lake of Parembole [or Maria], Essene Master's religious writings and included a formal oath of also in Egypt.'"' obedience totally and eternally to the Law of Moses.” As part of this understanding, candidates for Essene leadership had to pass The fourth-century writings of the Church confirm that the through a strenuous training program for three years before being Essenes abounded in Egypt, especially around Alexandria.'” granted permission for entry into the higher ranks. "The Their missionaries established stations or colonies in Rome, ceremonies were numerous, the physical proofs painful, and the Corinth, Galatia, Phillippi, Colosse and Thessalonica. At Ephesus mental trials appalling.""* The Essene elders would then impart John Yarker, author of the book The Arcane Schools,” linked the common ancient brotherhoods together and also associated the Essenes with the ending of the Babylonian exile. It is possible...that Chaldean, whence Culdeean, was as appropriate to the Druids as to the Babylonians, and that as the Essenes were Babylonians, the Culdees were Essenes, as held by Bede [English Church historian, 673-735], and thus the Essenes were Culdees and the Culdees were Druids. The central asp literature is its 5 with prophe recorded that The fourth-century writings of the Church confirm that the Essenes abounded in Egypt, especially around Alexandria.'” Their missionaries established stations or colonies in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Phillippi, Colosse and Thessalonica. At Ephesus APRIL — MAY 2002 NEXUS ¢ 41 www.nexusmagazine.com