按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
forces of Nature； his 〃religiosity；〃 as it has been aptly termed； we cannot
wonder that； the earliest races of which we possess any record are chiefly
distinguished for their imposing and elaborate religious rites。 In fact； it is
to the stupendous temples and a colossal sacerdotalism； that； we are
indebted for nine…tenths of the relics and records which we possess of
95
… Page 96…
THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
them。 So true is this that； from what we have been able to discover； we are
quite justified in asserting that the ancient races were； above all other
things； a profoundly religious people。 The temple was the center around
which revolved all their genius and art； and the sacred edifice became their
grandest achievement in architecture； and its high priest the most powerful
individual in the state。 In fact； it was in consequence of the real power
invested in such sacred office that it was so intimately connected with the
throne； and why royalty so frequently belonged to the priesthood or
exercised priestly functions。 And there can be no real doubt； but that；
amongst the pastoral and more spiritual races of Earth's earliest inhabitants；
the priest； by reason of his superior wisdom； was the first law…giver； and；
by virtue of his sanctity of person and elevation of mind became their first；
primitive king； a patriarchal monarch； whose scepter and symbol of power
was the shepherd's peaceful crook； just as among the ruder nomads of the
inhospitable North； we find the greatest hunters invested with the dignity
of chief； whose significant symbol and scepter of royalty； upon their
Nimrod thrones； was the trusty； successful spear。 And the times in which
we live have bad their full effect upon these symbols； so significant of rule。
The monarch has transformed the spear into the less harmful mace； while
the Church has added an inch of iron to the crook。 Therefore； the former
has become less war…like； and the latter less peaceful； and； verily； in actual
life we find them so；
The patriarchal sire； head of the tribal household； was the original
priest； and the hearthstone the first altar around which the family rites
were performed； and from this pure and primitive original have been
evolved； through progressive ages； the stately temple and the sacred
person of the despotic pontiff； from the sincere prayer the pure aspirations
of the human heart and the joyous offerings of fruits and flowers to the
invisible powers around them； and from the souls of their beloved
ancestors has arisen the costly and complicated ritual of theology。 And； if
the theologians of to…day really knew the lost； secret meaning of their
complicated rituals； and the unseen powers lying behind their external
symbols； their anxieties for the continued life of their dying creeds would
be turned to new hopes and faith； which could be demonstrated to their
96
… Page 97…
THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
equally blind followers； that； that which they were teaching they knew；
and could practically use the knowledge given forth in their sanctuaries；
and； instead of offering up their supplications to an imaginary； personal
Deity； their words； rites； and ceremonies； would take on the form and
power that such should command； and they would become truly； what
their title really means； a doctor of the soul。 Then could they； intelligently；
lead and direct the souls of their followers to the path of Christ （Truth）；
which leads up to salvation； not a vicarious atonement； but gaining the at…
one…ment through the individual soul's development to a conscious
relation； to that Divine spirit； we call God； where it can say 〃I know。〃
Out of those simple gifts； which were the spontaneous offerings of
loving remembrance and unselfish charity； have grown the prayers；
penances； sacrifices； and servile worship； of sacerdotalism。 Out of the
paternal consideration and love of the aged sire has evolved the haughty；
chilling pride of the selfish； isolated priest； and which reflects its baneful
influence upon the worshipers at their feet。 They have also changed their
once sacred； faithful； and reverent； obedience into suspicion and distrust；
and with the educated to utter disgust。 The light has been extinguished；
and priest and people alike are groping about in darkness。
It is strange； yea； passing strange； the amount of human ignorance and
folly that is revealed。 When we look upon this picture and then upon that；
verily we cannot help but ask the question； is mankind really progressing？
We know that it is； we are keenly alive to the truth that the Anthem of
Creation sounds out 〃Excelsior〃〃move on；〃 but how； and in what way
（SPIRITUALLY） we fail to comprehend。 The cyclic development of the
human soul is an inscrutable mystery。
All the considerations above presented must be thoroughly weighed
and understood in order to arrive at the true value of 〃the dogma and ritual
of high magic；〃 as Eliphas Levi terms it； because； amid the vast array of
tinselled drapery； the outcome of man's vain conceit and bombastic pride；
we shall find very little that can be considered as vital and really essential
to the rites of magic。 The show； the drapery； the priestly ornaments and
instruments； are to the really spiritual Occultist； but； as sounding brass and
a tinkling cymbal。 That they had； and still have； their legitimate uses； is
97
… Page 98…
THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
true； but these uses do not concern magic； per se； nor its manifold powers。
They awed the popular mind； and impressed upon the masses a due
reverence for the powers that be。 They were instrumental in holding the
untrained passions of the common herd in check； by a wholesome fear of
summary vengeance from the gods； so that this pageantry of magic； the
outward priestly show； was more of a politic development than a spiritual
necessity； an astute but； philosophical method of enabling the educated
few to govern the uneducat