MINUCIUS FELIX. 463 shrines of an impious assembly are maturing themselves throughout the whole world. Assuredly thisconfederacy ought to be rooted out and execrated. They know one another by secretmarks and insignia,and they love one another almost before they know one another; everywhere also there is mingled among them a certainreligionof lust,and they callone another promiscuouslybrothersand sisters,that even a not unusual debauchery may by the interventionof that sacred name become incestuous: it is thus that theirvain and senselesssuperstitiongloriesin crimes. Nor, concerning these things,would intelligent report speak of things so great and various,1and requir ing to be prefaced by an apology,unlesstruth were at the bottom of it. I hear that they adore the head of an ass, that basestof creatures,consecratedby I know not what sillypersuasion,— a worthy and appropriatereligionfor such manners. Some say thatthey worshipthe genitalsof their pontiffand priest,2and adore the nature,as itwere,of their common parent. I know not whether thesethingsare false; certainlysuspicionisapplicableto secretand nocturnalrites; and he who explainstheirceremoniesby referenceto a man punished by extreme sufferingfor his wickedness,and to the deadly wood of the cross,appropriatesfittingaltarsfor reprobateand wicked men, that they may worshipwhat they deserve. Now the storyabout the initiationof young novices is as much to be detestedas it is well known. An infant covered over with meal,that it may deceivethe unwary, is placed beforehim who is to be stainedwith theirrites: this infantisslainby the young pupil,who has been urged on as iftoharmlessblowson thesurfaceof the meal,with dark and secretwounds. Thirstily— O horror!— theylickup itsblood; eagerlytheydivideitslimbs. By thisvictimthey arepledged fallaxspessolatioredivivoblanditur,"whichissaidto imply," Thus thehopethatdeceivestheirfears,soothesthemwiththehopeofliving again." 1 Otherwiseread" abominable." - Thischargerefersapparentlytothekneelingpostureinwhichpeni tentsmade confessiontotheirbishop(Oehler).