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The magi of the east—Magical power attributed to numbers, plants, and minerals.

The magi formed one of the six tribes into which the nation of the Medes was divided in ancient times. To them was entrusted the special charge of religion; and, as priests, they were superior in education and training to the people in general. Among the Persians, “the lovers of wisdom and the servants of God” were, according to Suidas, called magi. It seems also, that they extended themselves into other lands, and that among the Chaldeans they were an organized body.

We read in the inspired book of Daniel, of “the magi,” or “wise men,” among whom the prophet himself was classed; and others, we know, directed by “the star in the east,” went to the infant Saviour, when born, at Bethlehem, “as Christ the Lord,” and presented to him their offerings, “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Among the Greeks and Romans, the same class of persons was styled Chaldeans and magi.

For a time, the magi surpassed the rest of the world in knowledge, and were the friends, companions, and counsellors, of its mightiest sovereigns. But their science, from having no solid basis, sank, after a while, into insignificance. On the ruins of its reputation other persons sought to build theirs. A man who knew, or could perform some things, with which others had no acquaintance, or for which they had no power, announced himself as a magician. Nor were the people indisposed to concede to him the credit he desired, especially if he claimed alliance with spiritual beings; and, in not a few instances, they attributed his marvels to such agency. Thus, then, the magician may be traced to the magus, or magian; and magic, to the so-called philosophy of the east.

Magic squares are of great antiquity. A square of this kind is divided into several other small equal squares, or cells, filled up with the terms of any progression of numbers, but generally an arithmetical one; so that those in each band, whether horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, shall always make the same sum. The ancients ascribed to them great virtues; and the disposition of numbers formed the basis and principle of many of their talismans. Accordingly, a square of one cell, filled up with unity, was the symbol of the Deity, on account of the unity and immutability of God; for they remarked that this square was, by its nature, unique and immutable; the product of unity by itself being always unity. The square of the root two, was the symbol of imperfect matter, both on account of the four elements, and of its being supposed impossible to arrange this square magically. A square of nine cells was assigned or consecrated to Saturn; that of sixteen to Jupiter; that of twenty-five to Mars; that of thirty-six to the sun; that of forty-nine to Venus; that of sixty-four to Mercury; and that of eighty-one, or nine on each side, to the moon. Those who can find any relation between two planets, and such an arrangement of numbers, must have minds strongly tinctured with superstition; yet so it was in the mysterious philosophy of Iamblichus, Porphyry, and their disciples.

Plants, as well as numbers, were long considered to be endowed with magical properties. Pliny enumerates those which, according to Pythagoras, were supposed to have the power of concealing waters. To others were attributed extraordinary effects. The asyrites, as it was denominated by the Egyptians, was used under the idea that it acted as a defence against witchcraft; and the nepenthes, which Helen presented, in a potion, to Menelaus, was believed, by the same people, to be powerful in banishing sadness, and in restoring the mind to its accustomed, or even to greater cheerfulness. Whatever may be the virtues of such herbs, they were used rather from an idea of their magical than of their medicinal qualities; every cure was cunningly ascribed to some mysterious and occult power.

From the same superstition, metals and stones were supposed to be endowed with singular virtues: the opal, to grow pale at the touch of poison; the emerald, to remove intoxication; and the carbuncle, “only to be found in the head of the dragon, the hideous inhabitant of the island of Ceylon,” to shine in the darkness. As the metal called gold always bore the highest value, it was concluded, from an absurd analogy, that its power to preserve health and cure disease must likewise surpass that of all other applications. Multitudes gave themselves to busy idleness in attempting to render it potable, and to prevent it from again being converted into metal. Not only did they labour in obscure situations, but in the splendid laboratories of nobles and sovereigns. Men of rank, impelled by one common frenzy, formed secret alliances; and even proceeded to such extravagance as to bring ruinous debts on themselves and their posterity. The object of which they were in pursuit was “an elixir of life.”

In Italy, Germany, France, and other countries, the common people often denied themselves the necessaries of life, to save as much as would purchase a few drops of the tincture of gold, which was superstitiously or fraudulently offered for sale. So fully did they confide in the efficacy of this imaginary power, that on it generally depended their only hope of recovery. Positively was the desired boon promised, but only to mock expectation. Our times are in the hands of God; and at his will the dust returns to the dust from whence it was taken, and the spirit to him who gave it.

How fearful was the ignorance that prevailed in the bygone times to which a reference has been made! What gratitude should we feel for the advantages we enjoy! Let us, then, constantly remember that as to us much has been given, so of us much will be required; and that one kind of knowledge surpasses all others: “This,” said the adorable Redeemer, “is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent,” John xvii. 3.