refore himself, in
many cases, allowed to partake of what he brings. But on this occasion
some quite peculiar ceremonies were introduced, and the ram is called by
a strange name--"the ram of consecration." When Aaron and his sons have
again declared their connection with the animal by laying their hands
upon it, it is slain. And then the blood is applied to the tip of their
right ear, the thumb of their right hand, and the great toe of their
right foot, that the ear may hearken, and the best energies obey, and
their life become as that of the consecrated animal, their bodies being
presented, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Then the same
blood, with the oil which spoke of heavenly anointing, was sprinkled
upon them and upon their official robes, and all were hallowed. Then the
fattest and richest parts of the animal were taken, with a loaf, a cake,
and a wafer from the basket, and placed in the hands of Aaron and his
sons. This was their formal investiture with official rights; although
not yet performing service, it was as priests that they received these;
and their hands, swayed by those of Moses, solemnly waved them before
the Lord in formal presentation, after which the pieces were consumed by
fire. The breast was likewise waved, and became the perpetual property
of Aaron and his sons--although on this occasion it passed from their
hands to be the portion of Moses, who officiated. The remainder of the
flesh, seethed in a holy place, belonged to Aaron and his sons. No
stranger (of another family) might eat it, and what was left until
morning should be consumed by fire, that is to say, destroyed in a
manner absolutely clean, seeing no corruption.

For seven days this rite of consecration was repeated; and every day the
altar also was cleansed, rendering it most holy, so that whatever
touched it was holy.

Thus the people saw their representative and chief purified, accepted
and devoted. Thenceforward, when they too brought their offerings, and
beheld them presented (in person or through his subordinates) by the
high priest with holiness emblazoned upon his brow, they gained hope,
and even assurance, since one so consecrated was bidden to present their
intercession; and sometimes they saw him pass into secret places of
mysterious sanctity, bearing their tribal name on his shoulder and his
bosom, while the chime of golden bells announced his movements,
ministering there for them.

But the nation as a whol