| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pagan and Christian Creeds by Edward Carpenter: them. For just as, a few years ago, we modern civilizees
studying outlying nations, the Chinese for instance, rejoiced
(in our vanity) to pick out every quaint peculiarity and
absurdity and monstrosity of a supposed topsyturvydom, and
failed entirely to see the real picture of a great and eminently
sensible people; so in the case of primitive men we
have been, and even still are, far too prone to catalogue
their cruelties and obscenities and idiotic superstitions,
and to miss the sane and balanced setting of their actual lives.
Mr. R. R. Marett, who has a good practical acquaintance
with his subject, had in the Hibbert Journal for October 1918
Pagan and Christian Creeds |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from On Revenues by Xenophon: [12] B.C. 362; cf. "Hell." VII. v. 15. See Grote, "H. G." x. 459;
Ephor. ap. Diog. Laert. ii. 54; Diod. Sic. xv. 84; Boeckh, ap. L.
Dindorf. Xenophon's son Gryllus served under him and was slain.
[13] Reading {kai tauta toutout men adelou ontos}, after Zurborg.
[14] Reading {[uper] on an eisenegkosi} with Zurborg. See his note,
"Comm." p. 25.
But for a sound investment[15] I know of nothing comparable with the
initial outlay to form this fund.[16] Any one whose contribution
amounts to ten minae[17] may look forward to a return as high as he
would get on bottomry, of nearly one-fifth,[18] as the recipient of
three obols a day. The contributor of five minae[19] will on the same
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Captain Stormfield by Mark Twain: the heavens shake, I tell you! He was all smiles, and had his halo
tilted over one ear in a cocky way, and was the most satisfied-
looking saint I ever saw. While he marched up the steps of the
Grand Stand, the choir struck up, -
The whole wide heaven groans,
And waits to hear that voice."
There were four gorgeous tents standing side by side in the place
of honor, on a broad railed platform in the centre of the Grand
Stand, with a shining guard of honor round about them. The tents
had been shut up all this time. As the barkeeper climbed along up,
bowing and smiling to everybody, and at last got to the platform,
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Reign of King Edward the Third by William Shakespeare: [Enter Prince Edward.]
KING EDWARD.
I see the boy; oh, how his mother's face,
Modeled in his, corrects my strayed desire,
And rates my heart, and chides my thievish eye,
Who, being rich enough in seeing her,
Yet seeks elsewhere: and basest theft is that
Which cannot cloak it self on poverty.--
Now, boy, what news?
PRINCE EDWARD.
I have assembled, my dear Lord and father,
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