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Article CLASSICAL THEOLOGY.—XVII. Page 1 of 3 Article CLASSICAL THEOLOGY.—XVII. Page 1 of 3 →
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Classical Theology.—Xvii.
CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XVII .
LONDON . SATURDAY , APRIL 7 , 18 GQ .
VI . —CERES AND AUGUST—( CONTINUED . ) CERES viewed symbolically as tlie earth , represents tlie " nursing mother" of its productiveness rather than tho terrestrial "bod y itself—she is , as before observed , the invisible instructress of the nature of tillage : as a pagan deity , she -was the protecting goddess of the harvests of fruits and corn .
As in the heavens , so on the earth , there ivas a multiplicity of pre-eminent deities ; and , although the Olympian law restrained one divinity from ever venturing to undo or destroy the works of another , this only all the more shows that there existed in heathen times no metaphysical science conducive to a philosophicalsafeor self-gratnlatory reliion
, , g out of their polytheism . Thus we find it written of old , " In progress of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law , and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings . So the multitude , allured by the grace of the work , took him now for a gocl , which a little before was not honoured as a man . And this was an
occasion to deceive the world ; for men , serving cither calamity or tyranny , did ascribe unto stocks and stones the incommunicable name . Moreover , this was not enough for them , that they erred in tlie knowledge of Gocl ; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance , those so great plagues called they peace . Eor whilst they slew their children in
sacrifices , or used secret ceremonies , or made revellings of strange rites , they kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled ; but either one slow another traitorously , or grieved him by adultery . So that there reigned in all men without exception , blood , manslaughter , theft , and dissimulation , corruption , unfaithfulness , tumults , perjury ,
disquieting of good men , forgetfulness of good turns , defiling of souls , changing of kind , disorder in marriages , adultery ancl shameless uncleanness . Eor tho worshi pping of idols not to be named is the beginning , the cause , and the end , of all evil . ( Wisdom xiv . ) Eor this vileness of mankindhad it nofc been for the
, pleadings of Moses , God again would have destroyed the world , or at least the Jewish people . " The Lord said unto Moses , I have seen this people , aud , behold , it is a stiffnecked people . Now , therefore , let me alone , that my wrath may wax hot against them , and I will make of thee a great nation . " Exod . xxiii . 8-12 . Well mi ght the prophet cry ,
" Kiss the Son lest he be angry . " So the world groaned till tho Word was made flesh , and Christianity was established . To call upon Peter is to call upon Peter . But to call upon Christ is to call upon Omnipotence , ancl all godly spirits within hearing of that call will attend to that call . The pious and persuasive Addison made some contemplations on these subjects , and has elocjuently observed : —
If we believe , as many wise and good men have done , that there are such phantoms and apparitions as those I have been speaking of , let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest in Him who holds the reins of the whole creation in his hand , and moderates them after such a manner that it is impossible for one being to break loose upon another without His knowledge ancl permission . For my own part I am apt to join in opinion with those
who believe that all the regions of nature swarm with spirits and that we have multitudes of spectators on all our actions when we think ourselves most alone . But instead of terrifying myself with such a notion , I am wonderfully pleased to think that I am always engaged with such an innumerable society , in searching out the wonders of the creation , and joining in the same concert of praise and adoration . Milton lias finely described this mixed communion
of men ancl spirits in paradise , and hacl doubtless his eye upon a verse in old Hesiod , which is almost word for word the same with his third line in the following passage : — " 'Nor think , though men were none , The heaven would want spectators , God want praise ; Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen , both ivhen we wake and when ive sleep - .
Classical Theology.—Xvii.
And these with ceaseless praise his works behold Both clay and night . How often from the steep Of echoing hill and thicket , have ive heard Celestial voices to the midnight air ( Sole or responsive each to other ' s note ) , Singing their great Creator . Oft in bands , While they keep watch , or nightly rounding walk , Witii heavenly touch of instrumental sounds , In full harmonic numbers joined , their songs Divide the night , and lift our thoughts to heav ' n . '"
In another paper Addison enters into a discussion oi spiritual apparitions ancl the appearance to the living of disembodied spirits which , while implicitly believed among tlie ancients , caused no apprehension to them save that such occurrences ivere deemed to be evil omens ancl bad , as shadows of darkness : —
"I know but oneway of fortifying my soul against these gloomy presages and terrors of mind ( says Addison ) , ancl that is by securing to myself the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events ancl governs futurity . He sees at one view the ivhole thread of my existence , not only that part of it ivhich I have already passed through , but that which runs forward into all the depths of eternity . When I lay me down to sleep , I
recommend myself to His care ; ivhen I awake , I give myself up to His direction . Amidst all the evils that threaten me , I ivill look up to Him for help , ancl question not but He will either avert them , or turn them to my advantage . Though I know neither the time nor the manner of the death I am to die , I am not at all solicitous about it , because I am sure that He knows them both , and that He ivill not fail to support me under them . "
The highest mysteries of Ceres comprehended an intercoinmunicable and visional intercourse ivith spirits , or the terrene gods . The ' goddess herself is sculptured carrying a lighted torch , because on the abduction of Proserpine , by Pluto , she passed through and carefully searched many dark and gloomy places in search of her daughter . This torch was kindled in
the flames of Mount . ZEfcna , it ivas saicl , or by other mystical means ; the fire of whicli was of an unconsuming nature . Therefore , in the sacrificial processions in honour of the goddess , up ancl clown the streets and hig hways , were carried lighted flambeaux ancl brands ; lamps on staves ivere borno into her temple , the bearers shouting out at the pitcli of
their voices , " Proserpina , " till the air resounded with their dismal cries . Tho significations of the heads of corn ancl the poppy flowers , as held in the hand of Ceres , speak for themselves as tho most precious gifts she had to bestow . Grain , is an article of consumption of such essential service to man as to constitute in itself tho most efficient stay and staff , as well as the most easy luxury of his life ; as for the poppy , its eulogium is concisely given in Mr . . Black's lines : —
"When life ' s red stream with quickened impulse flows , Impetuous straggling through the obstructed brain , And hot as Etna ' s burning lava glows ; AVhen , wasting wide , it seeks the distant main , AVhen reason staggers with the stroke of pain , And superstition ' s spectres hover round - , While frenzy sees red lightnings scathe the plain
That crsfc with fancy ' s sweetest flowers was crowned Where shall the harrassed wretch for succour fly ? Nor faith , nor hope can now afford him aid , For vengeance waves her flaming falchion high , And o ' er tlie grave hangs horror ' s baneful shade ! Blest Poppy ! thou , surpassing every flower , Afford'st a sovereign balm for this distressing hour . "
Sacrifices were offered to Flora , under the title of tlie goddess of flowers , that p lants ancl trees mi ght flourish Ifc is stated b y Ovid ( Fastis ) , that the nymph ; , Cliloris was married to Zephyrus ancl managed to obtain from him the dominion over all flowers . As one of the inferior
goddesses , subject to Ceres , wo arc told she presides over the ear when , it blossoms ( cum florescit ) . - so Lactura or Lactucina , as her names testify , watched over the car when it first becomes milky , or is lactescent . Matura took care that the oar camo fco its full ripeness . Puncuia , the goddess of ¦ weeding , was invoked -when fche fields ( ev / m nmearatwc agri )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Classical Theology.—Xvii.
CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —XVII .
LONDON . SATURDAY , APRIL 7 , 18 GQ .
VI . —CERES AND AUGUST—( CONTINUED . ) CERES viewed symbolically as tlie earth , represents tlie " nursing mother" of its productiveness rather than tho terrestrial "bod y itself—she is , as before observed , the invisible instructress of the nature of tillage : as a pagan deity , she -was the protecting goddess of the harvests of fruits and corn .
As in the heavens , so on the earth , there ivas a multiplicity of pre-eminent deities ; and , although the Olympian law restrained one divinity from ever venturing to undo or destroy the works of another , this only all the more shows that there existed in heathen times no metaphysical science conducive to a philosophicalsafeor self-gratnlatory reliion
, , g out of their polytheism . Thus we find it written of old , " In progress of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law , and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings . So the multitude , allured by the grace of the work , took him now for a gocl , which a little before was not honoured as a man . And this was an
occasion to deceive the world ; for men , serving cither calamity or tyranny , did ascribe unto stocks and stones the incommunicable name . Moreover , this was not enough for them , that they erred in tlie knowledge of Gocl ; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance , those so great plagues called they peace . Eor whilst they slew their children in
sacrifices , or used secret ceremonies , or made revellings of strange rites , they kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled ; but either one slow another traitorously , or grieved him by adultery . So that there reigned in all men without exception , blood , manslaughter , theft , and dissimulation , corruption , unfaithfulness , tumults , perjury ,
disquieting of good men , forgetfulness of good turns , defiling of souls , changing of kind , disorder in marriages , adultery ancl shameless uncleanness . Eor tho worshi pping of idols not to be named is the beginning , the cause , and the end , of all evil . ( Wisdom xiv . ) Eor this vileness of mankindhad it nofc been for the
, pleadings of Moses , God again would have destroyed the world , or at least the Jewish people . " The Lord said unto Moses , I have seen this people , aud , behold , it is a stiffnecked people . Now , therefore , let me alone , that my wrath may wax hot against them , and I will make of thee a great nation . " Exod . xxiii . 8-12 . Well mi ght the prophet cry ,
" Kiss the Son lest he be angry . " So the world groaned till tho Word was made flesh , and Christianity was established . To call upon Peter is to call upon Peter . But to call upon Christ is to call upon Omnipotence , ancl all godly spirits within hearing of that call will attend to that call . The pious and persuasive Addison made some contemplations on these subjects , and has elocjuently observed : —
If we believe , as many wise and good men have done , that there are such phantoms and apparitions as those I have been speaking of , let us endeavour to establish to ourselves an interest in Him who holds the reins of the whole creation in his hand , and moderates them after such a manner that it is impossible for one being to break loose upon another without His knowledge ancl permission . For my own part I am apt to join in opinion with those
who believe that all the regions of nature swarm with spirits and that we have multitudes of spectators on all our actions when we think ourselves most alone . But instead of terrifying myself with such a notion , I am wonderfully pleased to think that I am always engaged with such an innumerable society , in searching out the wonders of the creation , and joining in the same concert of praise and adoration . Milton lias finely described this mixed communion
of men ancl spirits in paradise , and hacl doubtless his eye upon a verse in old Hesiod , which is almost word for word the same with his third line in the following passage : — " 'Nor think , though men were none , The heaven would want spectators , God want praise ; Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen , both ivhen we wake and when ive sleep - .
Classical Theology.—Xvii.
And these with ceaseless praise his works behold Both clay and night . How often from the steep Of echoing hill and thicket , have ive heard Celestial voices to the midnight air ( Sole or responsive each to other ' s note ) , Singing their great Creator . Oft in bands , While they keep watch , or nightly rounding walk , Witii heavenly touch of instrumental sounds , In full harmonic numbers joined , their songs Divide the night , and lift our thoughts to heav ' n . '"
In another paper Addison enters into a discussion oi spiritual apparitions ancl the appearance to the living of disembodied spirits which , while implicitly believed among tlie ancients , caused no apprehension to them save that such occurrences ivere deemed to be evil omens ancl bad , as shadows of darkness : —
"I know but oneway of fortifying my soul against these gloomy presages and terrors of mind ( says Addison ) , ancl that is by securing to myself the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events ancl governs futurity . He sees at one view the ivhole thread of my existence , not only that part of it ivhich I have already passed through , but that which runs forward into all the depths of eternity . When I lay me down to sleep , I
recommend myself to His care ; ivhen I awake , I give myself up to His direction . Amidst all the evils that threaten me , I ivill look up to Him for help , ancl question not but He will either avert them , or turn them to my advantage . Though I know neither the time nor the manner of the death I am to die , I am not at all solicitous about it , because I am sure that He knows them both , and that He ivill not fail to support me under them . "
The highest mysteries of Ceres comprehended an intercoinmunicable and visional intercourse ivith spirits , or the terrene gods . The ' goddess herself is sculptured carrying a lighted torch , because on the abduction of Proserpine , by Pluto , she passed through and carefully searched many dark and gloomy places in search of her daughter . This torch was kindled in
the flames of Mount . ZEfcna , it ivas saicl , or by other mystical means ; the fire of whicli was of an unconsuming nature . Therefore , in the sacrificial processions in honour of the goddess , up ancl clown the streets and hig hways , were carried lighted flambeaux ancl brands ; lamps on staves ivere borno into her temple , the bearers shouting out at the pitcli of
their voices , " Proserpina , " till the air resounded with their dismal cries . Tho significations of the heads of corn ancl the poppy flowers , as held in the hand of Ceres , speak for themselves as tho most precious gifts she had to bestow . Grain , is an article of consumption of such essential service to man as to constitute in itself tho most efficient stay and staff , as well as the most easy luxury of his life ; as for the poppy , its eulogium is concisely given in Mr . . Black's lines : —
"When life ' s red stream with quickened impulse flows , Impetuous straggling through the obstructed brain , And hot as Etna ' s burning lava glows ; AVhen , wasting wide , it seeks the distant main , AVhen reason staggers with the stroke of pain , And superstition ' s spectres hover round - , While frenzy sees red lightnings scathe the plain
That crsfc with fancy ' s sweetest flowers was crowned Where shall the harrassed wretch for succour fly ? Nor faith , nor hope can now afford him aid , For vengeance waves her flaming falchion high , And o ' er tlie grave hangs horror ' s baneful shade ! Blest Poppy ! thou , surpassing every flower , Afford'st a sovereign balm for this distressing hour . "
Sacrifices were offered to Flora , under the title of tlie goddess of flowers , that p lants ancl trees mi ght flourish Ifc is stated b y Ovid ( Fastis ) , that the nymph ; , Cliloris was married to Zephyrus ancl managed to obtain from him the dominion over all flowers . As one of the inferior
goddesses , subject to Ceres , wo arc told she presides over the ear when , it blossoms ( cum florescit ) . - so Lactura or Lactucina , as her names testify , watched over the car when it first becomes milky , or is lactescent . Matura took care that the oar camo fco its full ripeness . Puncuia , the goddess of ¦ weeding , was invoked -when fche fields ( ev / m nmearatwc agri )