360 
own weakness, for some systems of polytheism have been so 
organized and sustained as to have immense power, — but by 
means of the succession of writers who complete the code of 
revealed and divinely-authorized truths contained in the 
Bible, wherein was first revealed the pure and perfect mono- 
theism of which we speak, and which we all believe. 
Such a succession of sacred writers is not to be found in 
any other great religious system of the world, because none 
of them was ever under the same unchanging guidance. 
All the polytheisms of high antiquity, or very nearly all, 
have been wrecked, or are visibly in process of decay ; but 
many fragments of their teaching are now recovered, and if 
it be supposed that the sacred writers were indebted for any 
of their knowledge of fundamental truth to what was written 
or described by their teachers, in marble, clay, or papyrus, or 
if the forms of worship or institutions of society now known as 
Christian, originated in their mythologies or legends, now is 
the time for such origination to be proved, or, at least, shown 
to bo probable. There is material enough at hand, and learn- 
ing enough, and critical power enough, to examine this ques- 
tion with the thoroughness it requires. One immediate bene- 
fit resulting from such examination will, doubtless, be the 
advancement of sound Biblical science; for which, also, wo 
have material and means enough, and the Oriental arch eco- 
logists will be, as they aro already, our most valued helpers. 
But there are a few words to bo said before the conclusion 
of this paper, on two points : — 
1 . That the principle of oneness in relation to God, tho only 
object of universal worship, and tho samo from everlasting to 
everlasting, appears in the one hope, with regard to the future 
condition of all mankind, that is manifest in tho sacred 
writers. They all have one object constantly in view. To 
illustrate this would require no inconsiderable ti’actate, which 
is not necessary here. We aro historically certain that Moses 
expected that one like himself would, in course of time, arise, 
to whom men would hearken. It is generally believed that tho 
New Testament is inseparably related to the Old, and has yet 
to be the instrument of a glorious renovation of the world. 
We know not that polytheism, or its consequent pantheism, 
ever had such hope. But we do know that the idols onco in 
their temples have perished ; or, if a few remain, it is only to 
be exhibited as trophies of tho Christian conquest. If, how- 
ever, we aro debtors to tho inventions of the old mytholo- 
gists for any portions of our Bible, wo should render them 
some correspondent honour; but we cannot discover any 
