The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-14

PARIS. May 2-Intcilcctual people
sometimes do strange things n when
they begin to worry about their souls
their desire to achieve something abso-
lutely unique IN the matter Of religious
worship carries them TO an extreme un-
dreamed OF by more simple minded men
and women. To tho latter the doctrines
of Christianity fulhi every demand but
there is "A certain class OF people among
The former who feel that IS SIS necessary
Tor them TO delve I'm The most out OF the
way places TO ind some substitute Tor Il
system OF religious faith That 10 th'Ii
minds is too simple and uou-speclacuidr
10 be SerNlCcablc.
At present this search FOR the novel in
religion has extended back To ancient
Egypt. Greece and Rome and one VINO
would be thoroughly up-to-daie IN ms
belief and worship must folio" tht7e
new prophets of Paeanism IN their Ie-
Vtval of Laiths and forms long since COM
signed to the tomb where dead religions
lie.
Most Of these new religions that are
so eagerly embraced by some of the
most Intellectual of the younger gen
GRAFTON are introduced in Paris where
scarcely a year passes without seeing
the birth of some strange system OF
worship guaranteed 20 be a remedy for
all the miseries OF modern life but none
of these unique inventions OF the intel
~lectually religious mind can compdTe IN
novelty Of faith or elaboratcncss or mt
ual with that Of the modern Pagans.
Some time ago q number of the young
literary men of Paris organized a rei-
elous sect. They called themselves neo-
Paeans and endcav0rcd 10 conform as
nearly as possible TO the rites and cere-
monies Of the religions OF ancient Greece
and Rome. Affairs were raised TO Apollo
Jupltor and Venus A%phrodite and the
people Of Paris were invited 70 become
converts TO the new religion IN this Ie-
markabie enuslon.
Are we TO submit eternally and WITH
ont revolt 70 the hideousncsS ana nc
spair Of modern life? Life when 'he
omnipotent gods created splenalu anu
ioyous has for nineteen centuries peen
transformed into an abomihatlon Oh
desolationl
.orhe warnings and aspirations OF our
eouls tho thrills and transports OF our
flesh are ground by the mill to which,
like wretched slaves. We harness our
selves. instead OF casting on our chains
and proudly lifting our heads, turning
our eyes upward toward Light. Beauty
and Love"
The people OF Paris read this invita-
tion and many gladly went 20 participate
in this revival Of the wisdom or anti
ouIty. Temples were instituted IN rooms
furnished in Oriental spleudor and on
The affairs sacred to the gods and god
desses OF old. birds and animals were
sacrificed with the most elaborate ceFe-
monies. The converts went wild over
tho new cult. They found countless
charms in their new divinitics, and cN-
toled in prose and verse the majesty
and omnipotence OF Jupiter. the grace
and beauty OF Venus and the beauty or
heart and mind that made Apollo the
sun-god and the patron OF music ana
poetry.
This was the beginning OF the revival
OF Paganlsm IN Paris but WITHIN l"e
past few weeks a sect has arisen that
bids fair 20 take the place In popular Ia
vor Of the n~Go-Paganism or q year ago
This is the worship OF Isis. n religion
that while Just as thoroughly Pagan Is
moro attractive because OF the nysler-
ious characteristics by which II mas al
ways been surrounded.
The revival Of his mysterious Religion
OF ancient Egypt IS tho outcome or n
series OF lectures that was recently de-
livered by that distinguished psycholo-
gist and student Of the black art Juies
Bois. in these he called attention TO inc
many beauties OF the Old religion ana
his suggestion that nothing could be more
fascinating or spiritually interesting thah
a revival OF the ancient mysteries mex
with instant approval from those VINO
felt the need OF q religious novelty
The sect Of the Isis worshippers was
formed and a subscription was taken 20
t,uA a. =, .rrrop,fsfa ferppfe which viii
be ready for occupancy in time 20 nable
the visitors 10 the Paris Exposition 10
witness the unique ceremonies
The leaders Of his new cult are two
wealthy Scotch people, the Count ard
Countess MseCregor. who have lived In
Parts long enough 20 become thoroughly
imbued with the decadent spirit that
uew prevails Ia the Intellectual society