aid that is not pure conjecture (30).

Lastly, there was a mitre of white linen, and upon it was laced with
blue cords a gold plate bearing the inscription "HOLY TO JEHOVAH" (36,
37).

No mention is made of shoes or sandals; and both from the commandment to
Moses at the burning bush, and from history, it is certain that the
priests officiated with their feet bare.

The picture thus completed has the clearest ethical significance. There
is modesty, reverence, purity, innocence typified by whiteness, the
grandeur of the office of intercession displayed in the rich colours and
precious jewels by which that whiteness was relieved, sympathy
expressed by the names of the people in the breastplate that heaved with
every throb of his heart, responsibility confessed by the same names
upon the shoulder, where the government was said to press like a load
(Isa. ix. 6); and over all, at once the condition and the explanation of
the rest, upon the seat of intelligence itself, the golden inscription
on the forehead, "Holy to Jehovah."

Such was the import of the raiment of the high priest: let us see how it
agrees with the nature of his office.

_THE PRIESTHOOD._

What, then, are the central ideas connected with the institution of a
priesthood?

Regarding it in the broadest way, and as a purely human institution, we
may trace it back to the eternal conflict in the breast of man between
two mighty tendencies--the thirst for God and the dread of Him, a strong
instinct of approach and a repelling sense of unworthiness.

In every age and climate, man prays. If any curious inquirer into savage
habits can point to the doubtful exception of a tribe seemingly without
a ritual, he will not really show that religion is one with
superstition; for they who are said to have escaped its grasp are never
the most advanced and civilised among their fellows upon that
account,--they are the most savage and debased, they are to humanity
what the only people which has formally renounced God is fast becoming
among the European races.

Certainly history cannot exhibit one community, progressive, energetic
and civilised, which did not feel that more was needful and might be had
than its own resources could supply, and stretch aloft to a Supreme
Being the hands which were so deft to handle the weapon and the tool.
Certainly all experience proves that the foundations of national
greatness are laid in national piety, so that the practical result of