Thomas County cat., 1889-12-05
CLEOPATRA.
Continued from rage g.

.zr,n .ne ,o,ds Of the dark of the West!'
Once more, as her notes died away, thun-
dered forth the chorus of all the voices, and
then the chanting ceased, and as the sun
sapk the High Priest raised the statue Of
the living God and held it before the multi
tude that was now gathered in the
court of the Temple. Thereupon, with
a mighty and joyful shout Of ''Osiris! Our
hcpeI Osiris! Osiris ~ the people tore the
black wrappings from their dress, revealing
the Write robes they wore beneath, and, as
ore man, they bowed before the God, and
the feast was ended
But for me the ceremony was only begun,
for tonight was the night of my initiation.
Leaving the inner court bathed myself,
and, clad in pure linen, passed, as it is Or
dained, into an inner, but not the inmost
sanctuary, and laid the accustomed offer
ings on the altar. Then, lifting up my hands
70 Heaven, remained for many hours in
contemplation, striving by holy thoughts
and prayer to gather up my strength against
the mighty moment Of NY trial.
Slowly the hours sped in the silence Of
the Tenn lie, till at length the door opened
and my father, AmenemhaL the High
Priest, came in, clad IN white, and leading
by the hand the Priest Of Isis. For him
self, having been married, he did not enter
into the mysteries of the Holy Mother.
Irose to my feet and stood humbly before
the twain.
"Art thou readyr said the Priest, lifting
the lamp he held SO that its light fell upon
my face. "Art thou ready, o thou chosen
enc. even to see the glory of the Goddess
face TO facet"
81 am ready" answered.
"Bethink thee" he said again, in solemn
tones, this is no small thing. II thou wilt
carry out this thy last desire, understand,
o Royal Harmachis, that now this very
night must thou for awhile die in the flesh,
what time thy soul shall look on spiritual
things. And il thou diest and there shall
be any evil thing found within thy heart,
when thou comest at last INTO that awful
presence, woe unto thee, Harmachis, for
the breath of life shall no more enter in at
the gateway Of thy mouth. Utterly shalt
thou perish as to thy body, and what shall
befall thy other parts, il l know may not
say. [According to the Egyptian religion
the beng man is composed OF four parts:
the body, the double or astral shape (td),
the soul Qi), and the spark of life sprung
from the Godhead (khou Art thou, there
fore, pure and free from the thought OF sini
Art thou prepared to be gathered to the
breast Of Her who was and is and 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
labor always for Her glory till at the end
thy life is absorbed in Her eternal Ifei"
II am," answered; "lead on.''
st is WE'LL" said the Priest. "Noble
Amenemhat, we 60 hence along"
sFRrewell nv son. said nv father: "bo
drm and triumph over the things spiritual
q thou shalt triumph over the things earth
". Hewho would truly rule the world must
drst 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-
warei The gods demand much of those
who dare to enter the circle Of their Divin-
ity. If they go back therefrom they shall
DO judged Of q sharper law, and be scourgeo
with heavier rod. As their glory is, SO
shall their shame be; for il is no light thing,
having cast of thy mortal garb, TO soil the
raimeut Of the Spirit in fleshly mire.
Therefore, make thy heart strong, o Royal
Harmachis! 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 it is not as yet
given to me to follow thee. Farewellr'
For moment, as my heart weighed these
heavy words, wavered, as well might
But was filed with longing to be gathered
to the company Of the Divine ones. and
know that l had no evil in me, and desired
20 do only the thing that is just Therefore,
having with so much labor drawn the bow