Several passages in Exodus prove the use of perfumes at a very early period among the Hebrews.  In the thirtieth chapter of Exodus the Lord said unto Moses:  “1.  And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon; of Shittim wood shalt thou make it.” “7.  And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning; when he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense upon it.” “34.  Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense:  of each shall there be a like weight.” “35.  And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together pure and holy.” “36.  And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee; it shall be unto you most holy.” “37.  And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof; it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.” “38.  Whosoever shall make like unto that to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.”

“It was from this religious custom, of employing incense in the ancient temples, that the royal prophet drew that beautiful simile of his, when he petitioned that his prayers might ascend before the Lord like incense, Luke 1:10.  It was while all the multitude was praying without, at the hour of incense, that there appeared to Zachary an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  That the nations attached a meaning not only of personal reverence, but also of religious homage, to an offering of incense, is demonstrable from the instance of the Magi, who, having fallen down to adore the new-born Jesus, and recognized his Divinity, presented Him with gold, myrrh and frankincense.  The primitive Christians imitated the example of the Jews, and adopted the use of incense at the celebration of the Liturgy.  St. Ephraem, a father of the Syriac Church, directed in his will that no aromatic perfumes should be bestowed upon him at his funeral, but that the spices should rather be given to the sanctuary.  The use of incense in all the Oriental churches is perpetual, and almost daily; nor do any of them ever celebrate their Liturgy without it, unless compelled by necessity.  The Coptic, as well as other Eastern Christians, observe the same ceremonial as the Latin Church in incensing their altar, the sacred vessels, and ecclesiastical personages.”—­Dr. ROCK’S Hierurgia.

Perfumes were used in the Church service, not only under the form of incense, but also mixed in the oil and wax for the lamps and lights commanded to be burned in the house of the Lord.  The brilliancy and fragrance which were often shed around a martyr’s sepulchre, at the celebration of his festival, by multitudes of lamps and tapers, fed with aromatics, have been noticed by St. Paulinus:—­

    “With crowded lamps are these bright altars crowned,
    And waxen tapers, shedding perfume round
    From fragrant wicks, beam calm a scented ray,
    To gladden night, and joy e’en radiant day.”