ADAM AND EVE. 
427 
they had so recently abandoned, whose only excel¬ 
lency consisted in the correctness of mere external 
form and ceremony. 
In all their idol worship, however large or costly 
the sacrifices that had been offered, and however 
near its close the most protracted ceremony might 
be, if the priest omitted or misplaced any word in 
the prayers with which it was always accompanied, 
or if his attention was diverted by any means, so 
that the prayer was hai , or broken, the whole was 
rendered unavailable, he must prepare other 
victims, and repeat his prayers from the com¬ 
mencement. 
The history of our first parents was frequently 
brought forward. Sometimes they wanted to 
know what was the colour of Adam and Eve's 
skin, or what language they spoke : with regard 
to the former, their opinions were in accordance 
with those of the late Bishop Heber; they said it 
was very likely they were brown or olive-coloured, 
and, as their descendants, or the descendants of 
Noah, travelled to hotter climates, they became 
darker; while those, whose information had 
removed the belief that our colour was the effect 
of disease, acknowledged the plausibility of our 
ancestors having become white from the influence 
of cold, and a clouded atmosphere, whereby they 
were shaded from the sun. 
More important matters concerning them were 
however often the subjects of inquiry. They felt 
interested in their destiny, and asked whether, 
after the fall, and expulsion from Paradise, they 
had repented and obtained pardon; and at one 
time, when, in answer to this question, it had been 
stated that there was reason to believe that they 
had obtained forgiveness, and were now in heaven, 
