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"What!" exclaimed the Priestess. "The Bird of Nu. Ah! this is

indeed very serious. The matter must be investigated at once.

But, my child, if all these portents prove true, do you fear

death? Have all our teachings been in vain? Have you made so

little progress in knowledge and the philosophy of existence as

to be overcome by dark shadows and grow faint in the presence of

the sentiment and show of an external ceremony? The pageantry,

which appeals so overwhelmingly to the emotions of the outside

world, is the necessary means of teaching the people these awful

and stupendous mysteries of life and death. But the Initiate

should be sustained by actual experiences within these hidden

realms and possess a knowledge of their inner nature which places

him on a plane far above the reach of Fear; besides being endowed

with that burning love for wisdom which calmly discerns good in

evil, and immortal life in the shadow, called death. Do not think

I am chiding you, my child.