Forlong - Rivers of Life

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Rivers of Life, or Faiths of Man in all Lands.
Pul-pit Mr. Leslie likens to a shaft carrying the “Ark-like box from which the preacher
prophesies,” and adds, “the name is convertibly identical with Pyramid and Pediment
(see figs. 156, 157, futher on), carrying an URN or ARN—}ra—of the Covenant.” 1
This writer would derive Altar from Al-Tor, of which more hereafter; meanwhile,
note how this Christian temple (Fig. 154), with altar in front like all solar shrines,
strictly points to Kemoosh the Rising Sun-god, and how very phallo-solar it is in its
skeleton Cruci-form, as well as in many details. 2 It is, however, when draped out on
particularly festive or sad occasions that we most clearly see its connection with the past,
and the full force of the strictly emblematic ornate hangings and sculptures then put forth,
and that we understand the full meaning of the “Testament” or Eduth God
being present in his “Holy of Holies.” The Royal Banners with their
Alphas and Omegas then wave from the columnal aisles, or drop from the
fretted roof emblazoned with Flowers, Dove, IOnis, and all Solar imagery,
not omitted the Vine of which “we are all branches,” and which carries
back our memories to that old god who was worshipped long before the
days of “Jehovah.”
If the sacred Shields, which one of the moat sensual of monarchs hung up so
abundantly in his amatory palace of Lebanon, and which all solo-phallic faiths were and
are partial to, do not often occur in Christian Churches, yet all rich shrines have great
Bosses of rare and precious stones, giving where possible a play of many colours, and
so very gacrcd to Maya as Illusion. This great boss or oval shield is generally seen
over or very near the “Holy of Holies”; but instead of it will often be observed a more
oval object with a Virgin and Child, such as Boodhism (in spite of Boodha) has
occasionally adopted, and even depicted upon its most sacred Dagobas, a fit place too,
seeing that this name signifies the womb. I show one in PI. xiv. 7, and there is a
beautiful picture of the same IOnic adoration in the centre room of the National
Gallery, London, the worshipper being an aged Roman Catholic.
My sketch (No. 153) of the altar of the Holy Trinity, I should explain, is merely
taken from the descriptions given to the public through the Press, but the plan and
aspect of the Christian Church in figure 154 are strictly correct, as those who construct
churches and chapels well know.
In the Fleurs-de-lis, crosses, and female vestments of Priests and attendant youths
in Roman Catholic and Ritualistic Churches, we see the truth of all that Inman says
under the head of “Vestments,” and the disregard of that Mosaic order, that a “woman
shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s
garment. 3 This very order shows that it was required in those days (is not so now?) for
it was usual for women to worship Mars in male attire, and for men to worship Venus in
female garments; and the word “stole” is simply Latin for a “matron’s gown.” The
1 Leslie’s Origin of Man, 227. 2 See Dr. Inman’s Anc. Faiths, I., Chap. xi. 3 Deut xxii. 5.
Fig. 154.—
CHRISITAN
CHURCH IDEA