Classical Theology.—Liv.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —LIY .

LONDON , SATURDAY , APRIL 19 , 1 SG 2 .

X . —TESTA AND DECEJIBEB . The initiated into the mysteries of the Temple of Harpocrates , "tvhenee came the proverb recldere Harnocratem ( to make a person mute ) ivere esteemed worthy of a place among the gods . It is said the god

himself ivas the son of Osiris and Isis , and came to he the personication of silence . His image had one hand upon its mouth ; and in his temples he ivas not only revered , as in the tribunals of Themis , but symbolised to the wise inhabitants of Egypt that secrets

should be kept sacred in the councils of kings , and should no less be so held inviolable in the privacy of their domestic homes ; for as silence is maintained in the sanctuaries and assembles of the gods , so it ought to subsist in the courts and convocations of justice . Also , as of old , so now , silence may be considered

as a spirit , a gift , or an attainment of heaven . At all events we have the exhortation of St . James , which we , who can hear with our ears , and see with our eyes , believe can never be too often brought before the mental senses for their most constant and very requisite meditation : —

"If any man oifend not in word , tlie same is a perfect man , and able also to bridle the whole body . Behold , we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us ; and we turn about their whole body . . . The tongue is a little member , and boasteth

great things . Behold how great a matter a little fire kiudleth . ' Aud the tongue is a fire , a world of iniquity ; and so ( in that way ) is the tongue among our members , that it defileth the whole body , and setteth on fire the course of nature ; and it is set on fire of hell . Eor every kind of beasts , and of birds , and of

serpents , and of things in the sea , is tamed , and hath been tamed of mankind ; but the tongue can no man tame ; it is an unruly evil , full of deadly poison . Therewith bless we God , even the Eather ; and therewith curse we men , which are made after the similitude of God . Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing . My brethren these things ought not to be . . . . Who is a wise man and endued

ivith knowledge among you ? Let him show out of a good conversation Ms works with meekness and Avisdora . But if ye have bitter envying and strife in jour hearts , glory not , and lie not against the truth . This wisdom descendeth not from above , but is earthy , sensual , devilish . Eor where envying ancl strife is , there is

confusion and every evil work . That the Avisdom that is from above is iirst pure , then peaceable , gentle , and easy to be entreated , full of mercy and good fruits , without partiality , and without hypocrisy . And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace . . . . Do ye think the scriptures saith in vain , the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy ? . . . Submit yourselves

therefore to God . . Resist the devil , ancl he will fiee from you . " Therefore we should carefully discern which are our good spirits , and consider the word devil to personify our evil spirits . Cupid not liking to return to his mother , and finding himself in need of counsel ,

resolved to rejiair to the Court of Harpocrates . On presenting himself before this divinity , he found him , as often represented , iu his magnificent temples sacred to the inhabitants of Egypt and . Nubia , seated on a throne , and , although in his appearance seemingly young , of a serious and severe expression of countenance ; he ivore , if not in spirit , at least as further personified , a bifidated or two-pointed mitre or infiila ; in his left hand he held a sigil , and the

forefinger on lus right hand pressed upon his lips . Consecrated by his votaries , an altar stood before him covered Avith fruits , herbs , and flowers , artificial tongues pierced by arrows , indicative of silence , and hearts interspersed in sculpture , symbolical of the sacred recognition and receptacle of secrets , decorated the halls or temples of the god or irit

sp of silence . Cupid having been instructed in the Hosieries of the worshippers of Herpocrates , was at once enveloped from his head to his feet in a veil . " By this investment he understood that he was to act under cover ; in particular to disguise his proceedings unto his motherand remain unknown to the object

, of his attachment , lest Psyche should divulge the secret of his conquest , and bring the vindictive vengeance of Venus upon her , and not less upon him to the involvement of their mutual ruin .

In the meanwhile the parents of Psyche ( who we take to represent the anima , or feminine soul as the animus is the masculine ) , incited perhaps by the Spirit of Curiosity or some more tempting , inducement consulted the oracle of Apollo respecting the ( all wisely witheld ) future destiny of their lovelyaffectionateand guileless daughterThe

, , . answer , as it was given , harrowed the inmost tenderness of their hearts , for their trust was far from being perfect before their Heavenly Eather . " Thy daughter , " announced the oracle , "is decreed to be in the possession of one of the most suspicious , jealous , unreasonable , malicious , and vindictive of all

creatures . You are cautiously enjoined in mitigation of tbe fatal consequences that may result from this awfully inexplicable union and alliance , to submit your offspring , Psyche , in bodily abode , which rival even those of the goddesses—alone to her own thoughts and the deepest solitude of the Gargarus . "

In the midst of the general dismay and affliction so solemnly and severely caused by the decision and inj unction of this great oracular deity , Psyche herself remained in that tranquil state of self-serenity which is constantly the firm support and conscious recompense of a virtuous and benignant soul . " Have I

not always from my childhood revered the gods , " she mentally said , " ancl derived my greatest trust and happiness in the study and practice of obeying their divine laws—the deeply ivise and devised prescience of their divinity . I have no fear of their harming me . If from this mortal dwelling they should seek to take

me , I shall carry with me the regards and regrets , the prayers and benedictions , of the friends I hai e made in their hours of calamity , their houses of of mourning , and their trials of distress . "