27.06.2013 Views

Forlong - Rivers of Life

Forlong - Rivers of Life

Forlong - Rivers of Life

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

474<br />

<strong>Rivers</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, or Faiths <strong>of</strong> Man in all Lands.<br />

within was Cœlum or Koilos, the hollow vault or womb <strong>of</strong> nature in which lay<br />

Terra, the teeming one. The Egyptian likened the whole to an onion with its varied<br />

shells and raditations; and this, together with the aphrodisiacal and fertilizing properties<br />

which this vegetable is almost universally held to possess, rendered it sacred.<br />

Perseus, we know, was concealed in an ark, like Bacchus, Moses, Sargon, and all<br />

cave-born gods; and their coming forth in the fulness <strong>of</strong> time “upon the waters” justifies<br />

some obstetrical remarks which Dr Inman, as a medical man, makes regarding this<br />

feature. Perseus passed through the usual vicissitudes <strong>of</strong> a solar deity, including pursuit<br />

by an evil spirit, a violent death, resurrection, and glorification..<br />

Europe early commenced to place sacred solar symbols over her most holy personages,<br />

as the Halo, Nimbus, Aureole, or circle, usually seen about the figures and heads<br />

<strong>of</strong> saints, &c. Such at first was perhaps only done to denote the faith the person had<br />

died in, when all were not <strong>of</strong> the same faith, as is now common in India. In this way<br />

the Christian tombstone would have a cross, just as the Hindoo reliquary has a serpent<br />

or lingam over it, <strong>of</strong> which I give Indian drawings made by myself at pages 249, 251.<br />

The Aureole might, however, have denoted Royal, or at least what is called “blueblood,”<br />

as did the Ophite symbols on Egyptian figures and tombs.<br />

The great importance attached by the Christian Church to all things Solar, can<br />

be fully appreciated if we try to deprive it <strong>of</strong> any solar feature, as to insist that the<br />

aspect <strong>of</strong> the church or altar, is not to be towards the East, or that the priest and<br />

people at their most solemn services are not to look in that direction. As well might<br />

they have asked the Jews not to orient their shrine, nor build an eastern ark-like portal<br />

within which to deposit their most precious records and relics, or ask a Moslem not to<br />

turn to the Kibla! In an opening address lately delivered by a learned Anglican<br />

Bishop 1 to a Church Synod, he warned his brethren <strong>of</strong> the vast importance <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Solar aspect, rites, and vestments. “No questions,” said he “will be so hotly contested,<br />

or so ably argued, as those relating to vestments and the position <strong>of</strong> the holy table;”<br />

that is “its altar-wise position or its table-wise position.” Formerly it was acknowledged<br />

that "“he ends <strong>of</strong> the table were East and West, not north and south, and therefore<br />

the clergyman was told to stand on the north side <strong>of</strong> the table;” but this must<br />

have been when men were trying to throw aside the old faith, and may not be so<br />

now by any who desire to be considered good solar priests.<br />

Thus a large body <strong>of</strong> pious men, well backed by their flocks, are in open warfare<br />

with the non-Solarites, declaring that priests should stand facing the Sun though this<br />

obliges them to turn their backs to the congregation. Some pious persons consider<br />

this an insult; not comprehending the Solar idea and the proper “adorative positions,”<br />

which influence the ritualist; and they and the bishops have therefore lately prosecuted<br />

and persecuted each other. The Ritualists insist on certain occult rites and gorgeous<br />

raiment; on tapers and long lighted candles; banners with Solar and Phallic devices,<br />

and jewelled crucifixes, &c., on the Eastern altar; also that Maya’s cup, and “boun” or<br />

1 [Footnote missing in the copy I was working from.]

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!