. . Christians have but
imitated the ancients, in the use of Lustral water--now-a-days called
Holy Water, and into which salt should be freely put."

According to Francis Vasques, the Cibola tribes of New Mexico pay no
adoration to anything but water, believing it to be the chief support
of all life. The Hindoo faith and the Greek Christian Church prescribe
"adorations, sacrifices, and other water rites, and hence we find all
orthodox clergy and devotees have much to do with rivers, seas, and
wells, especially at certain annual solar periods."

The extent to which these ancient rites are still practiced as part and
parcel of modern religious observances is not realized by those who have
given no special attention to the subject. As spring advances, all ranks
of Russians from the Czar to the humblest peasant proceed with their
clergy to the Neva, where with solemn pomp the ice is broken and the
water, which is held to be of virgin purity, is sprinkled upon the heads
of Czar, nobles, and other dignitaries. The following is an account
given of the worship of Hea not many years ago in the public press:

"An Imperial and Arch-episcopal procession was formed, consisting of,
first, the High Priest of the empire in all his most gorgeous robes, the
two masters of ceremonies walking backwards (probably because not of a
holy enough order), long double files of white-and gold-robed bearers
of sacred flambeaux or candles, for Fire must enter into every ceremony,
whether it is the male or female energy which is being worshipped.
Following these Religieux came all the sacred relics and fetishes of the
Church, as Maya's holy cup for water, all holy books, crosses, banners,
with sacred emblems in their order, and finally the Czar, humbly, and,
like all his people, on foot, followed by courtly throngs. These all
proceeded to a handsome pavilion or kiosk, erected close to the edge
of the water, when the Metropolitan of the Church reverently made an
incision in the ice, and took out a little water in a sacred golden cup
bearing strange devices. The firing of guns accompanied these solemn
acts in all their stages, and wherever the grave procession moved, it
always did so with measured tread, chanting sacred verses to the old,
old Deity of our race, and surrounded with all the pomp of war; whilst
at intervals, peals of Christian bells and the booming of near and
distant guns added to the solemnity of this water pageant. After the
filling o