We find that in _all religions_ of antiquity the number _seven_--which applied to the _sun_, _moon_ and the _five planets_ known to the ancients--is a _sacred number_, represented in all kinds and sorts of forms;[31:1] for instance: The candlestick with _seven_ branches in the temple of Jerusalem. The _seven_ inclosures of the temple. The _seven_ doors of the cave of Mithras. The _seven_ stories of the tower of Babylon.[31:2] The _seven_ gates of Thebes.[31:3] The flute of _seven_ pipes generally put into the hand of the god Pan. The lyre of _seven_ strings touched by Apollo. The book of "Fate," composed of _seven_ books. The _seven_ prophetic rings of the Brahmans.[31:4] The _seven_ stones--consecrated to the _seven_ planets--in Laconia.[31:5] The division into _seven_ castes adopted by the Egyptians and Indians. The _seven_ idols of the Bonzes. The _seven_ altars of the monument of Mithras. The _seven_ great spirits invoked by the Persians. The _seven_ archangels of the Chaldeans. The _seven_ archangels of the Jews.[31:6] The _seven_ days in the week.[32:1] The _seven_ sacraments of the Christians. The _seven_ wicked spirits of the Babylonians. The sprinkling of blood _seven_ times upon the altars of the Egyptians. The _seven_ mortal sins of the Egyptians. The hymn of _seven_ vowels chanted by the Egyptian priests.[32:2] The _seven_ branches of the Assyrian "Tree of Life." Agni, the Hindoo god, is represented with _seven_ arms. Sura's[32:3] horse was represented with _seven_ heads. _Seven_ churches are spoken of in the Apocalypse. Balaam builded _seven_ altars, and offered _seven_ bullocks and _seven_ rams on each altar. Pharaoh saw _seven_ kine, &c., in his dream. The "Priest of Midian" had _seven_ daughters. Jacob served _seven_ years. Before Jericho _seven_ priests bare _seven_ horns. Samson was bound with _seven_ green withes, and his marriage feast lasted _seven_ days, &c., &c. We might continue with as much more, but enough has been shown to verify the statement that, "in all religions of antiquity, the number SEVEN is a _sacred_ number." FOOTNOTES: [19:1] See "The Deluge in the Light of Modern Science," by Prof. Wm. Denton: J. P. Mendum, Boston.