In the preceding pages we have seen how the Egyptians employed
magical stones or amulets, and magical words, and magical
pictures, and magical names, in the performance of deeds both
good and evil; it remains to consider these magical ceremonies
in which the skill of the magician-priest was exerted to its
fullest extent, and with the highest objects, that is to say, to
preserve the human body in a mummified condition, and to perform
the symbolic acts which would restore its natural functions.
When we think of the sublime character of the life which the
souls of the blessed dead were believed to lead in heaven with
the gods, it is hard to understand why the Egyptians took such
pains to preserve the physical body from decay. No Egyptian who
believed his Scriptures ever expected that his corruptible body
would ascend into heaven and live with the gods, for they
declare in no uncertain manner that it remains upon the earth
whilst the soul dwells in heaven. But that the preservation of
the body was in some way or