The Irish standard., 1889-10-12

But for me the ceremony was only begun,
for tonight was the night of my initiation
Leaving the inner court bathed myself,
md, clad ia pure linen, passed, as it is or
iained, into an inner, but not the inmcst
sanctuary, and laid the accustomed offer
ngs On the altar. Then, lifting up my hands
20 Heaven, remained for many hours In
contemplation, striving by holy thoughts
md prayer to gather up my strength against
she mighty moment OF my trial.
Slowly the hours sped in the silence Of
he Temple, till at length the door opened
md my father, Amenemhat, the High
Priest, came in, clad IN white, and leading
oy the hand the Priest Of Isis. For him
self, having been married, he did not enter
nto the mysteries of the Holy Mother.
rose to my feet and stood hunbly before
he twain
Art thou ready!' said the Priest, lifting
the lamp he held 50 that its light fell upon
ny face. "Art thou ready, o thou chosen
,ne even to see the glory of the Goddess
face to face?''
. II am ready" !" answered
"Bethink thee,n he said again, in solemn
ones, this Is nc small thing. III thou wilt
larry out this thy last desire, understand,
Royal Harmachis, that now this very
1ight must thop for awhile die in the flesh,
what time thy xoul shall look on spiritual
,hings. And if thou diest and there shall
De any evil thing found within thy heart
When thou comest at last into thai awful
presence, woe unto thee, Harmachis, for
me breath of life shall no more enter in at
ne gateway of thy mouth. Utterly shalt
.hou perish as to thy body, and what shall
oefau thy other parts, If I know Imay not
say. According to the Egyptian religion
she beng man is composed of four parts:
she body, the double or astral shape fka,,
the soul (bi), and the spark Of life sprung
from the Godhead fFhot) Art thou, there
fore, pure and free from the thought of sins
Art thou prepared to be gathered to the
breast OF Her who. was and is aad will be,
and In all things to do Her holy will; for
her, while she shall so command, to put
away the thought OF earthly woman; and to
abor always for Her glory till at the end
tny life Is absorbed in Her eternal Hfes''
II am" 1 answered s'lead on
1T is WELL" said the Priest. ssNoble
Amenemhat, we go hence along"
Farewell, my SON. said my father; '.be
drm and triumph over the things spiritual
IS thou shalt triumph ever the things earth
ty. He who would truly rule the world must
first be lifted up above the world. He must
be at one with God, for thus only shall he
learn the secrets Of the Divine But be-
ware The gods demand much of those
who dare to enter the circle of their Divin-
f9. II they go back therefrom they shall
% Judged OF sharper law, and be scourged
with q heavier rod. AS their glory Is, 10
snail their shame be; for it IS flight thing,
having cast of thy mortal garb, to soil the
raimeut of the Spirit in feshly mire
Therefore, make thy heart strong, o Royal
Harmachisl And when thou speedest down
the ways Of Night and enterest the Holy
Presence, remember that from him to whom
great gifts have been given shall gifts be
required again. And now--if, indeed, thy
heart be fxed-go whittier tits not as yet
given to me TO follow thee. FAREWELL"
For moment, as my heart weighed these
heavy words, / wayered, as well I might.
But was filled with longing to be gathered
to the company of the Divine ones, and
know that had no evil in me, and desired
TO do only the thing that is just Therefore,
having with so much labor drawn the bow