Egyptian belief and modern thought / by James Bonwick.

  • James Bonwick
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Egyptian belief and modern thought / by James Bonwick. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    70/474 (page 56)
    Fields. This explains the agricultural implements placed in the hands of little figures in the form of mummies.” Lenormant has the following interesting observations on the chapter:— “It is there we learn that knowledge is as necessary as virtue to obtain the happy destination of the human soul; and the work of the soul, it may be in this life, it may be in the other, it ought to accomplish, in order to acquire knowledge, has for its symbol the exercise of agriculture. Knowledge is food for the soul, as barley for the nourish- ment of the body. One obtains the barley only by sowing grain in the earth, and in reaping while it is ripe the new harvest produced by the seed. It is by a series of similar operations that the soul must pass to procure knowledge, the condition of happiness.” One of the sacred books has an address to the pious departed, saying, “Take your sickles, reap your grain, carry it to your homes, and give it as an offering to God.” References are made to the “ mansions of glory,” and to bathing in the river of life. There are not only houses and fields, the river and bridges, but irrigation canals, as in the Nile valley; for Mr. Samuel Sharpe explains, “Corn grows in the inundated land—cultivation of corn in a well- watered field was thought to be one of the employments of the blessed after death.” This Karneter of bliss, this AaJdu, Aukar, etc., was a home of safety. Once within its precincts, the soul was secure from the intrusion of foes. This is illustrated by the pic- ture of a lovely region, guarded by twelve sacred serpents vomiting flames against visitors with ill intents. In one picture there are twelve mansions with doors so guarded, while the good are seen chatting in pleasant companies, taking heavenly food from off the heavenly altar. This has by no means the coarseness of expression conveyed in