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twelve signs of the zodiac ; suppose those branches moveable 

 in sockets so that they may point to any sign, and we have a 

 useful instrument for noting the position of any of the heavenly 

 bodies at the time of a nativity : and when we read of the 

 women weaving hangings for the groves, we may imagine 

 those signs worked in the beautiful tapestry of the east for the 

 purpose of surrounding one of these instruments, to which, in 

 after times, men would soon pay superstitious adoration. 



Such seals as these, thus carved with the nativity of the 

 wearer, would become to the Chaldeans what our crests and 

 arms are now to us_, only that they would also probably be 

 worn as talismans around the wearer's neck, or at his staff's 

 head. The astrology of the Chaldean sages has long been 

 matter of history ; and in dismissing this link in our connect- 

 ing chain, let me only observe that astronomy must have 

 preceded astrology. The natural influence of the heavenly 

 bodies upon the seasons must have originated these supposed 

 effects upon the lives of men — the use must have preceded 

 the abuse, and as we trace the latter almost to the tower of 

 Babel, we may be very sure that in the purer days of the anti- 

 diluvian patriarchs, as well as in the hands of the descendants 

 of Shem, pure astronomy must have retained its sway, and the 

 heavenly bodies have been only observed for signs and for 

 seasons, and for days and years. 



And now we approach the most important step of all in our 

 present investigation. Pure Sabseanism, or the early worship 

 of the heavenly bodies, appears to have sprung directly and by 

 easy transition from the astrological perversion which we have 

 just beheld. Trusting to the influence of the stars upon the 

 destinies of men, and casting off in consequence the depend- 

 ence upon the divine providence of the unseen spirit, it could 

 not be long before the worship and allegiance due to the Crea- 

 tor would be transferred to tlie creature. Of this worship there 

 can be no doubt. The gems and other monuments of anti- 



