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white silk, embroidered in gold, with appropriate

emblems of her attributes.

The procession formed in the court of the Temple of Isis, and after the sacrifice moved westward in a certain order. First in the train was seated a young woman with a mask in imitation of the head of the goddess Isis as the divine mother, the car being drawn by white horses; after which the priests walked in the order of their rank, in their most gorgeous attire, bearing their sacred symbols, the vessels of the temple, the Holy Writings of Thot, the tablets of Isis, which were her mysteries engraved on silver, and following these were the people in the order of their several stations in public or private life, dressed in white linen or cotton. The newly initiated walked in the midst of these, distinguished only by his head veil being longer than that of the others, reaching to the feet.

The houses along the route were decorated with banners and flowers as on festal days, and perfumes were showered over the passing multitude by wealthy residents. Music both vocal and instrumental, and dancing by professional experts accompanied them to the end, where a general shout proclaimed the arrival.

The ceremonies were continued in the temple by elevating the novitiate to a throne, and investing him with a white linen suit in place of the holiday garb just discarded, when he was declared a member of the order.

The closing scenes consisted of feasts, which were kept up during three days, in which the newly admitted brother occupied the seat of honor.

On the occasion of the initiation of a distinguished person from a foreign country, the mystic tragedy of Osiris was enacted, consisting of appropriate ceremonials, chants, processions, and parts by special players, altogether reproducing the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Osiris, and the destruction of Typhon. The whole was a symbol of the contest between Good and Evil, and the victory of the good after trial and proof of purity.

The initiated then became one of the priests of the lowest order, and a student in the schools, where he had a choice among several arts and sciences, any one of which he might select as his calling.

The results of this system are to be discovered in the most wonderful remains of Egyptian art, and the written accounts of their achievements in science, some of which have not yet been more than equalled by modern researches. In astronomy, physics, and literature they were the admiration of the world, attracting the wisest and best men from every quarter of the earth, and benefiting mankind by disseminating the truths of their system throughout the civilized nations. Greece and Rome borrowed their choicest ideas in art, science, philosophy and religion from Egypt, and through the Hebrews, Christianity owes to them much of its knowledge of the One God, all-wise, all-good, all-powerful.

CHAPTER XIV.

PLACES CONNECTED WITH THE CRUCIFIXION.

David's Tomb, The Last Supper-The Garden of Gethse mane, Christ's Agony-Hill of Evil Counsel-Church of the Holy Sepulchre-Place of Crucifixion-Holy Sepulchre-Place of Ascension.

DAVID'S TOMB, OR RESTING-PLACE, THE LAST SUPPER.

THIS place is on the southern slope of Mount Zion, a short distance from its summit, and is covered by a pile of buildings, in one of the most ancient of which, it is believed, was the room where Jesus held his last supper with his disciples. "He will show you," said the Saviour, "a large upper room." This room is about fifty feet long and thirty wide. The great antiquity of this building none can question. Epiphanius, towards the close of the fourth century, states that this building, with a few others near it, escaped destruction when Titus overthrew the city.

No. 61. THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, CHRIST'S AGONY.

Just east of the Kidron, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, is the Garden of Gethsemane. A part of it is

enclosed by a strong stone wall about ten feet high This enclosure is shaded by eight venerable old olive trees, and planted with beds of flowers and various kinds of shrubbery. Its close proximity to the city, and the nature of the grounds, would point it out as a suitable place for a public garden. The place is so plainly indicated in the Scripture narrative, as to leave no room to doubt but that this enclosure is a part of the ancient Garden of Gethsemane. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt." (St. Mark xiv. 36.)

HILL OF EVIL COUNSEL,

This hill takes its name from a tradition that the residence of Caiaphas was located upon its summit, and that here the chief priests and scribes assembled together to take counsel against Jesus. It rises to a height of nearly five hundred feet above the pool of Siloam, and is situated near the lower part of the valley.

THE PLACE OF CRUCIFIXION.

The question as to where the Crucifixion did take place has been carried on until recently without any reasonable determination.

It has been supposed that the Holy Sepulchre Church included the place of the Crucifixion, but the course of the ancient walls, which have now been

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