Adams, Walter M.: The house of the hidden places: a clue to the creed of early Egypt from Egyptian sources (London, 1895)

VII.] The Light of the Secret River. 241

the "Mistress of Prayer," the "Light of the
Secret River." Then, having learnt the majesty
of its queen, he scans the sevenfold arch, the
Mystery of the Transcendent Heaven (cxlviii.);
to hold converse with the seven Supreme
Intelligences who overarch the Splendour of
Creation.

Yet once again must the Depths be sounded,
and the Secret Places be traversed, before the
Illuminate can pass as master through the
Gate of Peace. One secret of death still
remains, most terrible and most inscrutable
of all. While we are yet imperfect, we
can gain some knowledge of the effect of
moral death upon ourselves, and even form
a faint adumbration of its nature when viewed
in the light of absolute truth. But the
mystery of its divine permission who can
penetrate ? If the Omnipotent be all good,
why did He ever allow of evil ? If He be
all-merciful, why does He permit His creatures
to suffer ? How can our actions be justly

R