The Ancient Mysteries.

expect so long as we are confined within our present limits of observation aud capacity . Let it not be supposed , then , that mysteries have ceased to exist , or that they are to be attributed solely to the ignorance and inexperience of

man's infancy . They exist now as much as ever , and Avill doubtless continue to exist as long as this wonderful system of worlds , of life , of mind , and soul shall have a being . Thales is said to have been the first astronomer

who predicted an eclipse , and it is affirmed that Pythagoras Avas well acquainted with and taught the doctrine of the solar and planetary motions , as now explained by the Newtonian philosophy ; bu t as he only taught this doctrine to a select few , it

was never received by the Avorld at large as a philosophical truth until the time of NeAvton . We know that up to a comparatively recent date it was believed by some , even by Kepler , that the planets were kept in their orbits by means

of angels detailed for that express purpose ; but noAV we knoAV that they are kept there by gravitation , yet no one is able to tell us what this gravitation is . So far , then , itis tousa mystery stilljust as much as it was before the discovery of Sir Isaac Newton ' s philosophy .

The knowledge possessed by us moderns , although doubtless much superior to that possessed by the ancients in many respects , yet leaves us still on a level with them as to those facts which it is impossible for men to know , and in this respect we can claim no superiority over them

whatever . We are UOAV someAvhat prepared to inquire into the origin and nature of those mysteries which were so common to the ancients , and Avhich in their eyes exercised so much influence upon the minds and morals of their times .

At present we shall pass over those peculiarities of the Jews which , on account of our familiarity with the history of that people , do not at this day present anything novel or interesting to our VIOAV , merely premising that Ave may resume this subject

at a future time , and give some space to the consideration of the Hebrew mysteries . At present Ave shall confine our remarks to the habits and practices of those nations Avhich are comprehended under the general title of the heathen

world . The most remarkable as well as the most ancient of these is the world-renoAvned nation of China , which , for many reasons , demands our attention

and earnest consideration ; and , first of all , we shall take a glance at those mysteries which evidently were instituted for relig ious purposes . The analogy between Confucianism and the functions of Christianity is very remarkable . The

Rev . John L . Nevins , Avho for ten years was a missionary in China , thus speaks of Confucius : — " The man who has given his name to this system of religion is the only one of his race who has achieved a world-wide reputation ; and this he

has done in a truer and wider sense than any other uninspired teacher—his fame extending over a larger territory and a vaster population . Greatly neglected and imperfectly appreciated during his life , his people have , since his death , gone to the

opposite extreme of exaggerating his merits and exalting him ' above all that is called God or is worshipped / almost ascribing to him divine virtue and omniscience , in opposition to his clear and repeated acknowledgments of imperfections and

ignorance . It is a remarkable fact that Confucius professed not to be a reformer or innovator , but simply a restorer of the . ancient doctrines and precepts which had prevailed for many centuries in China before his day .

He was born in the year 551 before Christ , and therefore was cotemporary with Solon , Pisistratus and Pythagoras in Greece , with Cyrus in Persia , and with Croesus iu Lydia , consequently with iEsop and others . The fact that Confucius Avas always referring to the golden age of the past , when the foundations

of the Chinese Empire were first laid , induces us to infer that the morality , civilisation , and religion of that period Avere very far advanced , and that to restore them to their original purity and perfection Avas deemed by him a Avork of great merit

and importance . This corresponds exactly with the Scriptural account of human society in the patriarchal age , and is a strong proofof what has so often been asserted by the best historical writers , namely , that the infancy of our race was

in fact its purest and best condition , and that man , instead of progressing , has degenerated , at least in those qualities which render him good , wise , and happy .

Here Ave find a parallel between Confucius and Christ , inasmuch as the former , as well as the latter , was a benefactor to the race ; for Christ himself came , " not to destroy , but to fulfil the law . " The mysteries of religion , which , iu the