PAGANISM. 129 



impugn, as it is superfluous for us to know. Suffice it, that the 

 Bible can impart all the knowledge which is necessary for our salva- 

 tion ; and more than we are capable of acquiring in our present 

 probationary state. Its excellence, however, can only be realized by 

 comparing it with the systems of false religion, which have enslaved 

 or still enslave a large portion of our race. 



We proceed, therefore, to treat first of Paganism and Mohame- 

 danism ; and, after these, of Judaism, considering it as introductory 

 to Christianity ; which last we shall then be prepared to examine 

 from a higher point of view. 



CHAPTER I. 



PAGANISM. 



IN the branch of Paganism, we include all the fabulous and poly- 

 theistic systems of Religion which have prevailed in pagan or 

 heathen nations ; whether they worship the heavenly bodies, or men, 

 beasts, or idols. The name is derived from the Latin, paganus, a 

 peasant or villager; and was first applied in the time of Constantino 

 the Great ; because, when he forbade the heathen worship in the cities 

 of the Roman empire, those who still adhered to it, retired to the vil- 

 lages and fields to practise it. Paganism comprehends the greater 

 part of Mythology, properly so called, that is, the study of the fables 

 of ancient times ; the name Mythology being derived from the Greek 

 pvQos, a fable. Some of these fables were purely historical, philoso- 

 phical or allegorical ; but the greater part, even of these, were more 

 or less closely connected with systems of religion. 



The term Mythology, was first applied to the Greek and Roman 

 systems of fables, or Classic Mythology ; but it has since been ex- 

 tended to those of heathen nations generally. The Romans borrowed 

 their system from the Greeks ; and it is now well ascertained that the 

 Greeks derived theirs from the Egyptians and Phoenicians. All these' 

 systems, as also those of the Persians, Hindoos, Boodhists, Scandi- 

 navians, and American Indians, alike bear traces of the Scripture His- 

 tory, and the ancient religion of the patriarchs ; from which, doubtless, 

 they have all been derived, with various degrees of corruption. This, 

 we think, has been conclusively shown by various writers, particu- 

 larly Bryant and Faber; the former of whom traces the ancient My- 

 thology back to the Deluge, and the deification of Noah and his three 

 sons, under the names of Chronos or Saturn and his offspring: while 

 the latter, moreover, detects in it various traditions concerning Adam, 

 and the antediluvian ages. 



Faber supposes the first stage of idolatry to have been the worship 

 of some representative of the Supreme Being, in his stead ; as the sun, 

 the elements, or some favored mortal. From this, the transition would 

 be easy to the worship of idols and beasts, considered as personifica- 

 tions of some divine principle, and as sources of good or evil to man- 

 kind. The human passions even, and moral virtues were ranked as 

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