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THE

CHRISTIANMYTHOLOGY.
BY

LEATHERBEE

BRIGHAM

"Knowledge

but

is power,

ignorance is the

devotion."

New
THE

York:

SEEKER

TKUTH
62

Vesey

COMPANY,
Street.

mother

of

I PUBLIC

iiE'fl

YORK

LIBRARY

82380b
ASTOR
TILDEN

Lr^NOX

AND

FOUNDATIONS

CONTENTS.

I.

11.

The

Spurious

IV.

Trial

VI.

Birth.

Miracles.

Pagan

III.

V.

Vir(^in

Relics.

Prophecies.

Distorted

The

Myths.

Execution

and

Resurrection.

Miracles.

VII.

Atonement

VIII.

IX.

The

Salvation

and

Trinity

by

Mariolatry.
"

X.

Good

Saints

and

Evil

Spirits.

"

XL

XII.

XIII.

Holidays

Religious

The

Spread

Eucharist.

of

Christianity.

and

Rites.

Faith.

THE

That

CHEISTIAN

Christianity,

orthodox,

far

is

promulgated

gradually
forms

the

world

rivals

of

its

by

customs

until

and

its

gave

theology

not

let

turn

us

the

it

from

but

of

early

and
of

heirlooms

the

pagan

its

that

solid

its
the

decessors.
prealogy
gene-

from
what

to

the

became

considering

of

beginnings

religions,

compact

from

attention

our

other

followers

its

or

blinded

so

supplanted

before

Christianity,

all

are

introduction

the

different

very

few

early

adherents

However,
of

like

the

by

Christianity

full-grown,

elaborated

and

the

early fathers,

conceptions

simple

presented

from

Christianity,

into

not

came

to-day

as

different

the

by

doubt.

to

as

MYTHOLOGY.

ism,
pagansumably
pre-

were

views

religious

of

mankind.

Probably

the

which

which

is

agent,

is

supposed
be

to

in

of

life

that
but
some

little
later
power

were

attention
the

be

found
of

craving
greater

the

as

to

fear

of

source

is defined

originated
human

true

an

was

for
than

moral

superstition

which

The
the

to

to

protection
himself

and

and

unknown.

given

teristic
charac-

instinct

elevating

devoted

so

human

religious

the

in

the

that

led

first

animal

anything
and

help

primitive

ages

needs

else,
from
man

to

CHRISTIAN

THE

about

look

him

in his

natural

him

MYTHOLOGY.

for

something

struggle for
of

phenomena

existence.

the

conclusion
with

permeated
these
fear

the

by

sought

his

would

be

all

no

planation
excame

environment

an

governed
Awed

to

nature,

he

power.

would

such

them

of

them

which

be

Death

and

good-

him.

And,

be

ing
pleasfore,
There-

towards

have
its

in

them.

conduct

would

thought

would

pleasing to
his

he

as

toward

what

that

he

them

keep

to

indifference

or

himself.

these

desired

shown

ing
imitation, sleep,be-

greatest mysteries confrontinghim, he

the

began
whom

dreams,

consider

to

seemed

he

as

being

practice of reading
the

At

derived
he

and

awful
to

intercourse

factors

owed

his

presence

feel

for

masses

career;

church
the

ly-develo
highfied
modi-

in the
of

souls

the

fits
time, noticing the great bene-

same

from

Roman

dead,

its

in

urally
nat-

in his

in his

sacrifices,which
in the

still exists

form

rays

the

spirits of

have

to

influential

rites and

dead.

the

originated ancestor-worship with

thus

began

in

by

he

experience,

was

for

offerings and

spiritswere

and

give

who
intelligences

considered

himself
his

with

things

interest

toward

could

supernatural

agreeable to

naturally,he
to

bodiless

Surrounded

inexplicable workings

did

natured

he

aid

and

propitiatethe spiritualagenciesby bribes,

to

he

and

that

by

matters

he

which

satisfactoryto
to

sustain

to

the

warmth

subsistence
was

of the
and

sun,

whose

constantlybefore

grateful to

that

to

mighty

whose

glorious
him,

power

man

which

THE

the

was

such

primitive

it

through

evolution, and

certain

races,

all the

religious systems

Owing
of

different

surrounding,

in the

new

nor

taught

believed

and

In

Christianityhas
all time

through

"

who

hero

is

of

various

and

power.

In

first consider

Christian
source

the
all

our

the

mate,
cli-

different

in

stripped

all be

may

of

traced

sources.

have

we

what

has

nothing
always

epochs

many

origin,who
to

common

rises

life of

once

Jesus
the

of

passes

all, who

is

to

newed
re-

more

subject, we
as

taught by

church; secondly, the dogmas


and

of

religious systems,

perusal of the

of his power

of

personifiedsun-god

obscure

who

ever

brieflyas possible,

as

in

the

"

episodes

finallyexecuted,

the

when

from

with

common

have

monies,
enveloping rites,cere-

show,

vital difference

have

naturally assumed

fundamental
to

union

influences

Christianityof to-day

of

past.

that

superficialities
they

intention

that

the

often

above-mentioned

It is my

shall

have

and

have,

elaboration,controlled

worship predominating
situations

of

ous
character, the vari-

characteristics, but,

and

the

racial

which

whose

from

and

weakness

and

the varied

to

power.

religious feelings

progress,

geographical

been

and

call instinctive

and

it, he

upon

great creative

pious

forms

the

depended

all those

environment,

to

the

as

arose

flourished.

their

life

superstitiousfear

man

the

arisen

welfare, and, appreciating

all his

all terrestrial

From

which

of

recognize

to

came

MYTHOLOGY.

source

that

CHRISTIAN

results

ing
affectof

his

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

influence; and, thirdly, the


which

with

his

I
Some
have

The

"

Birth.
there

ago

years

villageto

village expounding

socialistic

ideas, which

Roman

death, his various

which

to

pupils,naturally,having
leader, and

themselves

deity

to

yicious
for
state

creep

and

into

crafty

to

There

origin

the
was

on

certain

their

faith.

nothing
All

by

his

ideas

over

These

in their
in

mer
forevery

increase

to

the

ancient

than

more

tal
mor-

of Roman

mass

attributes

of

by the

new

in

the

lesser

the

it advisable
the

worshipers
ancient

their

sect.

new

bestowing
gods

of

theories

Later, when
found

objects venerated

Jesus.

preach

adopt Christianityas

to

the

as

pagan

Constantine

the great
religion,

deities

well

as

deny Jesus

not

allowed

transferred

his

strengthen

to

affected

less

politicalreasons

merely

After

proselytes,and, also, being

or

and

this

their

more

powers,

in

faith

idea, did

messianic

the

their
of

number

by

world.

belief

firm

desiring

possiblemanner
the

civilized

then

the

of

parts

and

execution.

theories, and, separating, spread these


various

ethical

resulted

continued

pupils

from

condemned

subsequent

and

arrest

passed

certain

were

and

government

man's

to

radicalism,

Jesus, who

called

teacher

wandering

said

is

notoriously rebellious province

in the

appeared

performed.

Virgin

thousand

two

ceremonies

Galilee, the headquarters of Hebrew

of
a

is

worship

rites and

of

divine

antiquity

THE

the

were

archs

CHRISTIAN

of

sons

origin.

same

all ancient

peoples

beings derived

their birth

from

Virgins

causes.

of

Zeus

men.

that

men

Almost

lived

reputed

were

The

gods.

of

one

universal

the

to

was

ous
numer-

than

ural
nat-

without

sons

doctrine

of

its

no

wonder

mythology
of

sons

is perhaps
it is

religiousideas;
is

impossible to

is excited

religiousleaders

of

some

the virgin birth

origin

when

have

male
fe-

extraordinary

heathen

the

of

oldest

the

old

been

the

of the

all

have

that

Therefore,
most

under
to

that

other

birth

gave

It

mon-

produced offspringwithout

assistance.

the

the

of

myth

common

aid

Zeus, and, in later times,

accorded

were

MYTHOLOGY.

so

trace.

find that

we

been

of

born

of

celestial

origin.
Krishna, the Indian

savior, was

virgincalled Devaki, who,


selected

was

become

to

Buddha

"mercifully left
because
and

he

into

paths,

that

mitigate

Paradise

he

and

punishment

the

down

sought
their

expiate

they

tama
Gau-

virgin Maya

came

He

purity,

God.

compassion

took

might

of

the

and

of mankind.

better

himself

mother

of

filled with

was

miseries

the

born

was

of her

account

on

chaste

earth

to

for
to

and

the

lead

sins
them

sufferingsupon

their

must

crimes

and

otherwise

evitably
in-

undergo."
The

great

heaven

from

quetzal, to

gods

that

father

inform
she

of

gods

to

the

her

should

that

and

Mexican
it

sent

men

was

immaculately

senger
mes-

virgin,Sochithe

will of

conceive

the
son.

8
As

result

she

bore

who

"set

his

savior,

and

violence

The

likewise
while

it in her

conceived

by

mother's

in

bowed

Setting

that

his

his

birth

his

is

he
a

appearance

of

his

by merely
the

tians
Egyp-

of

Horus,

the shrine

notice
of

human
have

may

to

seems

and

Jesus

the

entirelyfictitious,and

little better

critics of
to

while

of

mythological interpretationof

be

peculiar conception

failed

several

result

impregnated

natural

that

there

Some

savior

have

the

being

conception

from

man,"
being,

the exposed

Chinese

the

one

the

aside

history

admitting

her

immaculately

virgin-born god and

worship before

miraculous

the

and

virgin Isis.

the

of

son

placed

Montezumas

toe-print of God;

the

treading on

this and

fallingon

become

having

feathers

she lay asleep.

as

Codom;

virgin-born gods,

ball of

been

have

of dew

have

call

they

whom

who,

woman

Mexican

to

mother

Siamese

grasped

The

drop

of the

The

She

supposed

later

by

gradually disappeared

resulted.

pregnancy

breast

It

bosom.

arts

god Huitzilopochtliv^as

conceived

the air.

the

encouraged

temple, beheld

of

forms

all

against

and

Mexican

in

descending in

were

face

immaculately

walking

Mexican

Quetzalcoatl,the

bloodshed,

peace."

of

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

than

any

solution

the

angel

of

other

in Luke

school

rational

"divinely

the

Gabriel

for

i.

have

problem
and

spired
in-

human

explanation

one

recorded

as

viewing

standpoint, even

been

only

theory

his

in

not

the

private

THE

interview

CHRISTIAN

with

Mary

young

wife

the

prophecy
of

her

of

the

unsuccessful
were

not

favored

those

Christians
them

unnatural

by

will

guilty of

an

reconcile

the

two,

and
ples
tem-

pagan

where

unscrupulous,

whose

intentional

sider
con-

but

previously

the impression that they

reasoning
in

the

of

their

declare

an

superstitious

believingMary

faux pas, try


and

will

powers

absurdity of

whose

and

permit

not

such

deities.

conception,

adoration

favors

young

the

to

won

we

that

of ardent

believe

to

ject
ob-

And

when

fact

the

lovers, under

allow

birth?

resorted

embraces

being
So

the

the

those

gained

historical

instigationof

they enjoyed the

visited

improbable

not

often

confidingwomen
at

role,

miraculous

an

of

angelic guise and, having

the

it is

enamoured

aged Joseph, and, knowing

this

explanation is

Say they
libidinous

some

messiah, have

in

in

produced

that

to

the

his desire

confidence

that

become

the

of

not

may

having

man,

youthful

an

(Luke i, 28-38).

pertinently, why

very

MYTHOLOGY.

in this

Joseph

manner

the guilty

man.

According
knowing
i, 18)

regarded

in which

he

is

had

with

no

Holy

condition

wife's

case

that

the

Gospels, Joseph, the husband,

to be

Mary

; but

the

to

and

he

for

reason

Ghost's
faith.

been

informed

ntay

not.

He

her

(Matt,

believingthat

responsibilityfor

with

(Matt, i, 20-23).

dream,

child, married

He

may

The

told
that
have
most

of
such

he
his

dream

a
was

believed
sensible

the
the

view

10
is that
of

her

the

he

actual

married

honestly

the

from

himself

the

dream

Girls

of

shower
herself
a

gold

lover, and

account

have

ever

invented

have

the

defend

her

told

unfortunate

blamed

bull.

modern

to

the

accuse

acknowledging

to

stories

concocted

preferred
swan

and

invented

improbable

Danae

more

her

girl,

meanor
misde-

serious

for

Leda

yarn;

Europa

himself

he

(Deut. xxii), he

Jews

bestialitywith

of

method

betrayed
to

of

misfortunes.

like

explain

to

her, but,

to

story

condition.

Having

accusation

the

among

that

reputation, and

parent.

this

took

just man,"

he, ''being a

preserving

was

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

Modern

but

just

sels
damcent
inno-

as

agents.
It would
words
her

of

reproaching
Jerusalem

"Son, why

hast

father

and

thy

(Luke

the

36-38),

mother

been
Son
of

case

of the

Jacob

are

we

at

of

This

that

sorrowing"
Anna

and

''Joseph

ii,25-

and

his

spoken

were

would

hardly

have

known

him

"the

reign

(Luke i,32-33).
realized

ple
tem-

with,

Jesus (Luke

things which

we

Behold,

us?

thee

that

shall

in the

rabbis

Simeon

when

they already

Highest, who

with

sought

told
those

the

dealt

that

God, for

of

remaining
with

thus

ii,33).

had

she

for

and

forgotten

conceived

argue

have

have

must

him

actions

subsequent

messiahship

forever"

had

she

Again,

(Luke

the

Mary,

marveled

him"

of

to

thou

ii, 48).

proclaimed
Z2\

the

miraculously

was

find her

that

Mary

of

son

from

seem

she

was

over

as

the house

Neither

would

the

mother

THE

of

God,

temple

the

stains

(Luke
of

natural

in the

the

of

sin, whereof
her

of

that

submitting to
did

Mary

remarkable

thing

of

unusual

an

Their

such

in

that

she

had

bearing Jesus,

Joseph

explain
and

which

did

the

dream,

desirous

be

would
the

the

on

kept

birth

of

all

of

saving

naturally boast
had

Holy Ghost,

these

Joseph's relation

that

of

peasant

the

jus primes

and

would

have

Conforming

to

noctis.
been

birth
to

her

of

to

disagreeable allusions
his

is evidence

done

any^

rant
igno-

was

always

things
facts of

his

his
The

related
made

the

case,

to

Mary

of

it, for in

liaison
save

by

the

was

seigneur

to

both

conferred

god

his

in the
was

an

Jesus

plain
ex-

would

honor

known

that
their

reputation, and

the

The

in

want

and

ognized
rec-

Luke

i, 2).

would

Jesus,

they

case

the

fact

supposition

tell the actual

not

early

original

(Matt, xii, 55;

son

unlikely. Joseph

seems

the

this

Mary

hearts, and

the

mere

and

iv, 22; John ii,45; vi, 42; Nicodemus


orthodox

come
be-

conception.

Joseph's

as

churching

neighbors, despite
Jesus

of

agency

purified. The

know

not

have

to

parturition,through

be

must

to

having

Women,

perpetually active

they

resort

purified from

considered

of

act

to

be

to

childbirth.

children, were

defiled
contact

it necessary

ii, 22-24)

her

11

MYTHOLOGY.

considered

have

the

borne

CHRISTIAN

by
such

same

as

of

days

honor,
from

neighbors

the
garding
re-

(John viii,41).
the

narrations

conception in Luke, Mary, and

of

the

the

miraculous

Protevangelion,

12

THE

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

is

old miracle

an

in which

find

we

'oldhusband
which

pictureof

natural

very

responsible and

is not

accusing

plain old English of adorning his


"Ancient

Say

the

The

Mry.

To

burst

which

Joseph

very

and

is,

tries to

The

angel.
and
been

miraculous
An
Ye

take

wyse.

is shent ;

dyspyse,

and

that

says

she

that her

was

so

suspiciousJoseph
to

way

accepted

true

as

will

words

some

Agel!

alas, alas!
in that

now,

in

A'ngcl
let be

s'n boy

do

began

to

so

not

be

that

explanation of

fy for

ye

child is

informed

conception:
syn

forth:

breaks

tent,

kynnys

no

now

and

gives

an
puttyn
alas!
Alas,
was

me

me

in

name

explain

alone

God

to

is this?

cokwold.

olde

seyn

obstinacy he

wyff,

may

may.

childe
I wys.

sey,

men,

! my

men

her

no

with

so

whoos

your,

at

Alas

All

It

it

se,

lyist,in fay!

Mary

say,

weddyth

Alas

To

anon?

natuitallyreplies in

rape

Ya, ya! all olde


"

Jos.

yit

in wrath

"

is?

non.

thou

nevyr

Goddys

Jos.

since

childe!

dede

But

Then

antlers.

anger:

Goddys

Mry.

"

hevyn,
he

God

from

of

fadyr hath

of

in

her

in Honeys

given

as

that

and

Other

^.Jos.

Mary

telle me,

Fadyr

with

childys fadyr who

this

Mary,

me,

I pry

dialogue

brow

for

Described":

Mysteries

Jos.

an

is the

following

The

good

the

in his wife

condition

discovering a

he

"Joseph's Jealousy,"

called

play

schame!

say;

gret blame.

way;

this game,

by
ceived,
dehave

the

THE

That
"

ye

The

CHRISTIAN

closhyd

old

threatened
and

could

he be
in the

be

not

his

prophecy referred
and

made

of

until centuries
such

he

as

the

had

of

and

land

both

her

either

the

by
of

birth
so

of

of

good
a

Jesus
Jew

is
as

him

I went
and
To

rather

James

to

apply
one

little did
not

bit

the memory

even

the
of

choose
be

Israel

the

or

pliance
com-

ter
chap-

next

the

etess;
proph-

son."

And

it to the

believed

contemptible

detrimental

bare

fore
"Be-

fulfilled,

unto

Josephus

episode. Probably, on
a

made

of

was

prophet

his

shall

rulers

find in the

we

that he did

slept with

abhorrest

No

so

age
cour-

would

evil,and

puerile.

messiah, yet

impress

the

"And

story.

his

Isaiah

prophecy

conceived

that is the whole

refuse

kings" (the

virgin, for

she

he

How

which

case.

thou

this

(Isaiah viii,3),
and

to

trickery of

Christ,

promised (vii,16),

that

Syria). Now,

the

the

Ahaz?

sign

after

not

was

Ephraim

preserve

then

was

of

to

on

to

danger by

the child shall know

forsaken

kings

ognize
rec-

that God

kingdom, although he
of the

gin
vir-

we

Ahaz

sign given

calmed

But

that

when
utility

influence

face

good,

(vii,14)

any

sign appear

the

its

coalition

gay,
name.

it have

given

fathers?

the

If the

could

loses

his

by

Syria.

how

in Isaiah

was

preserve

and

A'ngel

an

son

that this
would

now

prophecy

shall bear

clene

was

hym

geve

13

MYTHOLOGY.

can

mythical

doubt

that

in the prospect

Isaiah's

prophecy

mention

the

gin
vir-

whole, he thought it

trickery and

rather

of Isaiah.

Orr, in his treatise written expressly to

14

historical

the

prove

the

that

believes
the

great

for

this

with

Genetrix

Deus

he

should

of

undoubtedly

Jesus
the

divine

ridiculous
of

but

were

to

eternal

from

lower

form

to

of

the

dangers

the

inconvenience

that

does

not

God

came
be-

explain.

creation, he
than

more

at

woman

once.

all

seems

produced Jesus

out
with-

Why

should

given

the

danger

another

foetal Hfe, with

pagan

affirms

of

it

all

have

he

father, and,

such,

as

all
fully developed intelligence,

have

with

have

with

and

discomfort

the

chosen

could

coexistent

son,

have

can

agrees

Just why

method

this

assistance.

female

of

he

when

it

that

he

once,

performed

have

he

legends,he

genuine.

of

have

surely

thus

only

meant

says

considers

only

approved

strange,

his

is

"almah"

word

opposite reasons.

paternityare

Jesus

the

He

Jesus, and

evidently

of

that

woman.

for

firmly

foundation

virgin at all,but

case

That

church's

for

Orr

would

the

Hebrew

young

who

conception, shattering

of

Paine, but

God

writer

says

tales of divine

If

applied to Jesus.

He

While

the

be

belief.

connection

Thomas

could

miraculous

marriageable

no

virgin birth,denies

orthodox

an

cornerstone

not

was

the

in

Isaiah

have

we

MYTHOLOGY.

fact of the

of

prophecy

Here

CHRISTIAN

THE

of

infantile

phase of the godhead,

trinity,it

inflicted him
all the

with

human

of

the

guise;

to

gestation and
childhood, with

and

velopment
of de-

vertebrate
have

one

processes

embryonic phases

ovule, through
human

degrading

was

If

life?

given

and
him

parturition,

teethingand

16

the

11.
The

child

of

Pagan

Parallels.

"

"And

church

and

relations

marital

which

from

Mary,

That

other

veneration

the

As

influence

of

the

Mary
the

birth

lose

her

to

of

virginityby

these

marriage,
the

endow

children
and

was

consort

so

for

sisters

and

these

of

that
that

the

under

late
immacu-

an

simple

marriage

for the

i, 19,

brother."

and

could

ural
nat-

be

not

exceptional conception
began

to

by

virgin
she

miracle

did

at

not

attempted

They

event.

that

assert

uncontaminated

an

references, first,by asserting


of

were

later,when

celibacy,they
Jerome

her

Jesus, but

explain the above

that

his

born"?
"first-

the

increased

the orthodox

only

not

was

born,

in Galatians

conceptions

of

Jesus, and

forth

after

been

the Lord's

Mary

allowing

tolerated,even

says,

Joseph and

brothers

Paul

of heaven,

consequences

of

for

pagan

mother-queen

the

to

xii, 46; xiii,55, 56; Mark

"James,

expressly names

that

were

have

both

i, 14, while

Acts

only

viii,19-20; John ii,12; vii,3,

iii,31; vi, 3; Luke


5, 10, and

the

was

between

Jesus

in Matthew

is declared

had

Christ

brought

children

had

Jesus

had

implies

began

otherwise, could

how,

Jesus

till she

not

son," which

first-born

birth

that

the

i,25, referring to Joseph,

her

knew

that

spite of gospel testimony

Matthew

he

denies

declares

in

Mary,

contrary.

her

mythology.

orthodox

brothers

any

chbistian

of

they

previous

felt it necessary

their pure

named

strong

Joseph by

them

champion

mother
as

for

with

cousins

to

fect
per-

only.

Joseph's vir-

CHRISTIAN

THE

he

ginitythat

considered

invention

17

MYTHOLOGY.

guiltyof

Epiphanius

supporting the

for

pious
im-

belief

earlier

regarding Jesus' brethren.


Buddhists

The

and

Maya

eluded
die

to

muni, and
with

is

mothers

were

"the

as

in this

novel

firmly believing in

idea

that
the

by

In

the

births

founder

of

when

case

Mexico

the

the

national

however,

Laoutze
star"

did not

have

on

shone

said
Not

by
the

the

the

so

only

was

the

night of

of

The

as

was

heavenly

common

of

also

the

while

in

of

the

far for such

so

parallelin
of

birth

symbol

Terah

the
to

unusual
have

birth,which

peared
ap-

they

east.

the birth of the messiah

the

man
hu-

on

tians,
primitive Chris-

look

to

the

at

the

was

the

it

bodies,

announced

born,

Abraham's

brightly in

were

was

friends

brilliant star, but

singing

peoples

stars.

Quetzalcoatl.

reported by

star

men

dynasty,

idea, but easily found

an

been

first

"morning

savior

great

There

influences

appeared

sage

passed

celestial

the

star

the

case

is believed

has

all ancient

have

peculiar

new

the

Bethlehem."

idea, as

to

of

of

presence

China,

Yu,

of

seems

Sakya-

been

and

event,

astronomical

it

affairs,and

of

brilliant star

superstitiousabout

very

by causing

Buddhas.

the
star

tians
Chris-

the

birth

have

to

the

heralded

have

nothing

of

the

Jesus' birth

of

tradition

into

after

days

than

difficulties

by assertingsuch

the time
to

all such

seven

all the

At

wiser

far

were

was

also

host.

announced

celebrated

Similar

by

pheno-

18

THE

CHRISTIAN

occurred

mena

emitted

clouds
down

rain

of

Confucius

of

his

low

the

heard

earth

was

born.

savior

gifts follows

wise

and

called

men

and

frankincense
Plato

by

that

they

myrrh

in relation

to

borne

were

the

the

birth

claim

the

that

forth

marvelous
his birth

As

pedigree
in

both

of

of

of

filled
visited

his

birth,

Socrates.

world's

saviors

begotten by
traced

are

mothers

seen

Jesus

Matthew

the

story is told

their
be

may

of

time

music

of

him

in

entered

same

descent

husbands

manner.
illogical

set

similar

the

by virgins and

through

men

gifts of gold,

all the

for

them

the

wise

of

At

with

; and

genealogiesof royal

Testament,

time

time

the

at

God,

most

sarily
neces-

savior, was

them

it is claimed

While

The

the

of

very

instrumental

magi

presented by

was

the

sages

Mithras, the Persian

air."
wise

by

celestial

and

vocal

whilst

house

ruler

must

of

divinity.

of

"five

birth

Confucius'

the

the

Osiris

of

fashion

at

ears

light

immediately recognized

characteristics

all the

the

who

men

that

saviors.

visited

was

birth

in the

birth

the

poured

"marvelous

myth

in

"

eve

born, he

the

other

the

Buddha

of the

been

their

infant

by

having

of

the

sounded

proclaiming

recognized, so

told

and

On

at

"the

sounds

Buddha's

at

be

that

to

pleasing

earth"; and

was

and

Krishna, when

''celestial music

voice

The

of

flowers."

of

mother";

illumined

birth

the

at

MYTHOLOGY.

is

and

in the
most

Luke,

through Joseph (whose parentage

for
in

New
rately
elabowho
is de-

THE

the

nied)
David,

CHRISTIAN

Christ

was

what

from

of

they
of
the

Yadava,

Buddha

first monarch

the

it is

for

pedigree

oldest

of

Therefore,

other

no

the

other.

address

those

prefer

to

from

Maha

the

and

of

Ra, and
of

person

birth

Mexico

and

declared

some

to

of

the

priests.

kings, which
Parthian

The

likewise, claimed
brothers
The
was

of the

fable of the

merely

new

and

inherited

the

for the

gotten.
be-

ship
wor-

by special

of the Arsacid

styled

house,

themselves

moon.

slaughterof
form

his

conducted

was

rulers

owed

miraculously

erected

were

son

the third

he

been

was

be the

to

whom

divinity and
sun

Egypt

that he

have

Special temples

of

garded
re-

were

denied

from

claimed

emperors,

made

was

cases,

wont

are

Peru

and

they

schoolboy

Roman

king

cieties
so-

him

to

nations

Every

gods

father

and

and

the

acknowledge

deity. Every

trinity. Each

the

to

crown,

of

in

royal

in rude

king

other

apotheosis of the

even,
a

the

monarch,

supreme

the list of

to

find

Kaffres

which

divinities.

as

added

their

monarchs

the

Christ, especiallywhen

The

prayers

the

of

knows

India; and

Sammata,

surprisingto

not

than

of

world..

god

the

to

connecting

Krishna, in the

noblest

and

considered.

gods

King

inspired gospel

one

religiouspositionoccupied by
is

of

royal descent, being of the house

descended

was

in

in the

are

descendant

relate, the

to

different

line,was

male

direct

though, strange

generations are

19

MYTHOLOGY.

the

innocents, which

of the ancient

myth

of

the

20

THE

CHRISTIAN

dangerous

child

whose

tyrant,

some

has

flightof

life of

the

kill all infants


voice

heavenly

in

worshiped

Nimrod

sought

child

born

was

and,

fable

as

male

At

children.
is said

Pharaoh

child would
all the

Jason, Bacchus,
All

similar

are

ancient

saviors, and

and

the

and

ix, 9, 11).

nights" on
in shame

of

at

time

Moses'

dreamed

Israel

of

that
and

and

the

new-born

ordered

he

should

be

Horeb

that
into

cast

all readers

to

Herakles, Paris,

Remus.

birth

and

early life of Jesus

of

the

other

those

is the

so

birth,

fast.

on

the

and
the

story of

more

tion
tempta-

Moses

fasted

"forty

mount

where

he

(Ex. xxiv, 18; xxxiv, 28;

Elijah

Mt.

power,

the

forty days'

law

his

70,000 newly-born

forty nights"

the

that

murdered

Romulus

to

perience;
ex-

birth

prophecy

stories, familiar

tales of

these

similar

told of Perseus,

classics,are

anciently

overthrow

should

sons

Similar

savior

fly with

to

Abraham's

at

Egypt's ruin,

new-born

to

immediately

India, had

have

to

cause

Nile.

of the

days

who

Kansa

messengers

was

life, fearing

result, he

which

tells that

his

Egypt

King

sent

virgin-born

southern

and

tales.

his foster-father

Jumna,

Salivahana,

into

ligions,
re-

neighboring places, but

warned

the river

across

done.

the

the

ancient

holy family

and

to

menace

several

other

Krishna

in

constant

from

the

in

its counterpart

sought

him

life is

copied

was

the

and

MYTHOLOGY.

fasted

"forty days

and

(I Kings xix, 8).

being childless,retired

to

the

ceived
re-

Deut.

forty

Joachim,
wilder-

CHRISTIAN

THE

for

ness

fast

of

until

breath

Prince

Mara,
to

break

of

the

Buddha

of

the

and

probable

rude

trees

as

use

that

cruciform

trees

by

been

of

cross

to

be

rough

its

Nazareth

the

form

the

often

called

similar
does

ix, 10).

hung

on

of

tree

execution

was
was

to

may,

not

sarily
neces-

"tree"
To

on
up-

ancient
or

be

of

that

outspread

the

lived

gallows

nailed
was

ever

it is very

Romans,

and

more

ever

ancientlycalled hanging

was

method

of

he

could

gibbets for execution,

as

gallows,

are

Calvary.

It

cross.

there

Mount

be

must

one

xxi, 22, 23; Nicodemus

and

of

than

crucifixion

term

symmetrical

such

in

themselves

extant

hanged,

was

The

cross.

to

gends.
le-

many

execution

although

on

executed

that he

imply
a

the temptation

crucified; whether

Jesus

as

person

likely,have

very

the

was

cross"

"true

ever

was

Jesus

nobody knows,
the

of

If such

that

flourished

have

emperor

subject of

but

him

elaboration.

not

pieces

when

great opportunity for mythical expansion

taught

or

the

mythology,

and

was

held

tempted by

fast ; and

myths readilyimplanted

Christian

It is

forms

him

also

was

forty days'

and

tempted

make

by offeringto

Zoroaster

gave

fasted

extremely weak,

Quetzalcoatl

during

these

hero

became

forty nights'*

Evil, appeared and

of

his fast

the devil

All

he

world.

and

"forty days

(Protevangelion i, 6, 7).
his

21

MYTHOLOGY.

tom
cus-

rude

(Deut.

hung
on

crucifixion.
later modified

on

tree,
This

by

22

THE

CHRISTIAN

Christians

the

the

cross

the

fact

for

very
their

has
the

of

from

the

all

ancient

so-called

and

and

sacred.
the

essentiallydifferent
vied

with

adoration

it.

of
the

adorned
before

time

the

of

northern

of

their dead.

Italy

white

marble

Saint

Ulloa

revered
While

in

numerous

motives

crosses

and

pursuits

equal

to

common

found

on

long

and
the

it

graves

Mexico
island

the
was

of

greatly

Peru.
shrouded

cross,

antiquity,has
has

permeate

all known

as

it is

been

the

resulted
a

primitive phallicideas.

and

arms

and

the

theories, it is, undoubtedly,

underlie

of

superstitious

over

speculation which

result of

and

aboriginal

Phrygia;

discoverers; and

of the remotest
much

the

of

of

was

were

origin of

tiquity
an-

Eutruscans, the inhabitants

cross

Paraguay

the

of

its

earliest

their

crosses

erected

crosses

in

Midas

the

The

by

in the mists

subject

of

most

people. Populations

another

of

tices
prac-

reverence

in

been

Greek

tomb

the

culture, tastes,

one

and

is the

for

emblem

ancient

every

proselytingby

cross

from

have

to

of

theologies.

the

It has

mystic

appears

possessionof
have

heathen

ligious
re-

tianity
inception, Chris-

dogmas, symbols

pagan

to

propagation

aid its

to

prone

owing

universal

the

its earliest

religioussymbols,

been
awe,

in

fixion,
cruci-

appropriate

to

antiquityas
aid

ever

the

of

especial emblem,

own

since

been

adoption

Of

naturally desired

would

faith, and

theory

present

that its great

symbol
their

the

to

they

as

MYTHOLOGY.

in

tionalized
conven-

Sexual

religious

THE

PUBLIC

YORK

NEV/

LIBRARY

LENOX

of

characteristic

rise to
male

idea

The

systems.

modified

the

principle. As

placed

form

of

crux

ansata,

the

known

the

placing

in

ancient

being

carried

handled

and

by

the

the

the

Faiths,"

sacred

repeatedly

occurs

to

their

on

*'the

as

blem
em-

formed

by

emblem

is

cause
handle," be-

represented
"Bible

(See Doane,

ring.

also

were

ancient

most

This

T.
with

"cross

"Ancient

was

cross

the

sculpture it is often

Inman,

Myths";
and

the

sion
expres-

symbols

simply

very

above

ring, representing

Egyptians

was

resenting
rep-

probably, that of the

was,

the

to

ring
called

sometimes

etc.).

the

This

Babylonians

cylinders,brick"

gems.

In

with

cruciform

with

which

with

which

other
hole

he

of

at

the

and

still used

were

in

always

hammer,

this

the

killed

of

haft, have

been

The
Iceland

in

cross,
as

Mitgard

the

with

hammers,
arms

for

hammer,

magical sign

the

sertion
in-

in Denmark,

discovered

consecrating
or

serpent,

performed

giants,and

intersection

used

the instrument

being

great

the

great

closely associated

Cruciform

heroism.

the

altars.

was

destroyed

he

acts

of

Thor's

Thor

god

the

mythology

Scandinavian

ancient

warrior

conjunction

the

T),

complete

two

and

conjunction;

life," which

of

as

in

the

these

power,

Gothic

(a

tau

of

gradually

were

principle,and

creative

often

the

to

male

the female
of the

symbolical expression

reduced

and

god naturally gave

creative

principles,which

female

and

23

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

victims

of
in

Thor
connec-

at

is

24

THE

tion

with

sign

of

wind
the

the

full

and

the

of

thunder.

the

and

signs

were

the

The

assumed

method

of

It

and
these

making
in

the

of

one

sign

was

of

efficacyof

peoples from

orthodox
called
be

educated

Every good
one

carries

off disaster.

time

of

in the

Catholic
a

wears

danger

sign
and

as

of

of

sense,

the

This

belief

among

all

so-called

lized
civi-

today

yet

still

considered

but
find

we

be

cannot
not

are

saint

many
to

ward

is still used
a

to

practicing it.

scapular, and

cross

of

could

countenanced

even

some

one

they

universal

are
a

little image
The

fled.

to

where
every-

imbibe

although they

who

"

sion.
posses-

precaution

which

only

highest

illiterate

as

the

they

"

God

to

demonical

barbarous

who

thanks

abounded

cross,

and
by Christianity,

has

again

originallymerely

took

not

fore
be-

cross

generated
sects, de-

likelyto

talisman,

was

Christians

classed

of

was

which

most

communities,
encouraged

he

the

which

grace,

very

the

the

theirs;

over

Protestant

that demons

from

and

the

the ancient

so

sign of

prayer

spiritsunless

endure

not

has, in

thought

the

the

the sustenance,

that

pressions
ex-

is sacred
blessed

hammer

prevention against

was

being

identical.

form

bestowing

German

cross

the cross,

the saying of

the

; both

Christians

the

practice of making

to

of

of

sign

eating, which

As

goblet with the sign of


made

the

that the

idea

same

corresponding

among

of

Vikings

for

used

now

dispel a thunderstorm

god

the

rain, just as

is

cross

MYTHOLOGY.

to

peasantry

to

CHRISTIAN

weapon

in
of

miraculous
form

in the
and

the

form

modern
within
disturb

of
modern

idol

the

erected

merely
the

surviving

nails of

than

the

"

the

found

and

Treves

and
while

these

nails
of

time

each

Cross

with

of

may

of
be

forms

of

Jerusalem,

where

more

tecture
archi-

female.
been

have

to

his

adorned

who

at

the

idea, and

Rome,
of

possessing one
seen

of

nothing

are

them.

find

we

adoration

the

Constantine,

boast

of

origin

cross,

supposed

are

come
be-

Kelics.

Egyptian

bridle

horse's

still another

Holy

the

expressing the

pyramid,

in the

helmet

the

of

it has

know.

not

two

our

stitious
super-

obelisk, expressing the male

inverted

Two

the

in

same

cases

custom,

passion which

the
of

union

in the

most

Christians

orthodox

cinity
vi-

in the

Even

worship of the

the

rection
resur-

constantly find

we

Spurious

"

Accompanying

three

do

performers
III.

among

in

not

descendant

bodies

that

graves

although

for

is

idea

protected.

the

over

other
an-

dare

demons

This

is

superstitionthat

necessary

was

were

sidered
con-

once

churches

cross

cemeteries

manner,

which

the

notion

savage

Protestant

crosses

ancient

immortality.

ancient

the

of the

body, which

the
and

of

about

of

shadow

the

were

battle,

cross.

dead

the

of

burial

the

of

symbol

in

fortune

give

to

cross

still constructed

are

ships with yards

of

masts

the
The

the

of

hilts

Sword

power.

25

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

Milan

them,

church

it is

of

annually

26

CHEISTIAK

MYTHOLOGY.

veneration

of

THE

exposed

nails

three

the

presented by

to

Iron

Crown

remarkable

Coulombs,

of

Pry,

the

sole

Lateran

possessors

prepuce,"
the

Savior

which

which

Likewise,
That

at

twelfth
from
Turin

the

Church

themselves

authentic
from

oil

"holy

Jesus

on

ii,21), and

(Luke
of

his head

upon

spikenard,
feet

and

by

fame

plague

festival

brought

was

about
won

"holy shrouds.**

numerous

which

destructive
a

and

only

in

the

Antwerp,

all boast

birth

his

are

crusaders

had

Church

(Infancy ii,1-4).

there

century,
a

of

circumcised

poured

Besancon,

by

the

midwife

the

Magdalene

Mary

of

after

later

was

Rome,

was

eighth day

preserved by

at

with

Cathedral

the

Charroux,

at

that

note

endowed

Chatres;

of

in

worship

relic

seem

Collegiate Church

the

John

celebrated

the

multiplication. The

of

Diocese

of Our

St.

of

worship

of

powers

of

Abbey

practice of

the

to

objects

numerous

to

later

was

church, it is interestingto

Christian

the

and

thick

Lombardy.

of

reference

In

three-

ring

golden plates of

the

support

ring

Constantine

to

this

that

in battle, and

protect him
used

Helena

Empress

these

three-tenths

and

broad

inch

an

iron

an

in

arose

that

century

into

fashioned

were

eighths of

sixteenth

the

of

latter part

legend

facts, a

Despite these

nails.

holy

these

for

festival

1353

In

people.

the

appointed

VI.

Innocent

Pope

the

the

to

tine
Pales-

from

the

of

beginning

the

by delivering the
in

1544, while

instituted

for

it

city

that

by

at

Pope

THE

1506.

in

Julius II.
found

be

CHRISTIAN

the

at

in

peigne,

Other

Church

Rome,

27

MYTHOLOGY.

shrouds

authentic
of

St. Cornelius

Lisbon,

Milan,

may

Com-

at

Aix

and

la

Chapelle.
much

Another

ring,supposed

have

to

the nuptials of

at

souvenir

and

of

profess

and

to

claim
the

it to

expose

by the Cathedral

Relic

is by
laity,

in the
at

; the

Metapontum

Chaeroneia; the

of

statues

and

abounded,

images
which

that

India
his

of

there

are

worshipers

is that

the

of Christian

origin.

heroes

super-

were

Trojan

the

horse

Pelops

Achilles

of

Hector

Thebes;

at

miraculous

tion
general educa-

of

those

at

used

were

kept
held

at

Phaselis; and
Miraculous

brandished

that

Troy

tools

was

Nicomedia.

paintings
sweat

celebrated

more

that

could

tion,
venera-

departed saints,

at

Minerva

for

devout

ring

of

of

spear

this

possess

bones

sceptre of

Memnon

of

the sword

In

of

construction

to

the

bones

sacredly preserved

markable
re-

in

means

and

regarded
stitiously
were

its

belief

no

the

Greece

ancient

of

jeweler

self -multiplication.

most

continues, despite the


of the

In

the

residing in

which

by

sacred

Perouse.

of

and

worship

powers

This

Mary.

healing and

but, undoubtedly, the


held

marriage ring used

in 996

churches

European

Many

Virgin's

readily recognized by

was

powers

the
and

Joseph

discovered

was

Jerusalem

been

is the

relic

multiplied

could

spears,

blush

and

also existed.
numerous

believe

teeth

of

Buddha

capable of performing

RELICS.
"It

is interesting
seem

endowed

to

note

with

that

objects

numerous

remarkable

powers

of

of

ship
wor-

cation."
multipli-

28

THE

and

miracles;
he

CHEISTIAN

his

aside

laid

MYTHOLOGY.

which

coat,

entering

on

miraculously preserved,
in

Jerome,

defending

had

been

attacked

not

deny

that

commended
had
then

therefore

Jesus

lightof

his

explained

fact

or

old.

is very

at

Delphi.

of

side.
Mount
of

So

to

Osiris

suffered

reverence

idols, and

to

to

was

and

martyrs,

Myths.

executed, either

considered

when

godhead,

cross

as

of

body

there

of

ing
is nothidea

Zeus

crucified.

of
was

Dionyseus

Buddha

and

is

in the

The

grave

was

died,

both

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execution,

wherein
and

Prometheus

Caucasus,

were

The

such

abound
a

but

did

as

also

Quetzalcoatl. Representations

savior

Krishna

nailed

the

deities

Mexican

the

this

as

relation of his death.

buried

god,

paganism,

mythological theory,

of the

Crete, and

Indian

as

one

at

numerous

been

even

shown

and

from

given

relics which

Barcelona, did

Execution

have

and

being

dying god

of

of

that

now

and

should

in the

new

adopted

was

Trial

"

remarkable;

not

worship

received."

be

historical

an

it

been

is still shown.

the

detested, was
to

rV.
That

and

Siddhatto

priesthood, has

previously ''onlygiven

be

to

the

by Vigilantus

it and

been

Prince

as

was

with

he

having
nailed

is

round

hole

by

hands

and

extended

arms

depicted

as

in his
feet

in the

to

form

cross.

immeasurably
of the orthodox

voluminous
upon

have

been

the

ings
writ-

the trial,execution, and

THE

resurrection

of

these
the

upon

and
in

CHRISTIAN

hypothesis

are

The
have

In

that
his

when

With

of

all

Jesus before

the

should

and

believed

that

to

calmness

he

realized

that

death.

forsaken

me?"

to

rescue

only

not

be

would

be

was

his

this
of

He

die, but

not

ment
disappoint-

that

cried

God,

of

moment

evident

followers

he

ural
nat-

nothing supernatural

surprise was

bravery,

his

him.

heaven

When

physical anguish, "My

thou

great

save

his cry

of his courageous
and

when

some

That

when

come,

would
of

kingdom
by

his

came,

time

to

believed

and

would

he

shown

his

prevent

many

mind

place,

to

him

of martyrdom.

should

his control.

be

he

realization

and

the

to

seems

shows

fanatical

occur

that

that

at

under

when
was

following

miraculously interpose

that

established
belief

view,

narrated

the

desirous

yea,

take

would

would

but

saved,

those

Pilate

instantlyimminent,

undoubtedly

him

sider
con-

really lived

man

to

moment

supreme

phenomenon

God

of

point

premise

probabilityhis

seemed

that

that

willingmartyr,

execution

death

such

to

offered:

attitude
been

rational

that

advisable

seems

experiences similar

Gospels.

views

from

matters,

suffered
the

that it

Jesus

29

MYTHOLOGY.

and,

who

aloud

died

in

(Matt, xxvii, 46;

in

mental

God, why

my

like
un-

Mark

hast
xv,

34.)
His
faith

indifferent
in his

bearing before

redemption,

courteously asked

for

Pilate

when

him

the

if he

showed
Roman

were

the

this
curator
pro-

king

30

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

of

practice,'Thou

his

been

replied ambiguously,

he

Jews,

xxvii, 11; Mark

served

had

flocked

avail

iii,10)
well

very

and

little

was

except that he

availed

himself

in

except
had

shown

Jesus

in

of the Romans
of

to

Roman
itinerant
saved

the

him, but
God

above

make

by

There

is

good

conduct

toward

deal
of

of

Had

could

the

There

had

the

of

the

and

have

sition
interpo-

would
led

an

glorify
Jesus

to

throw

away

in this

dent
impu-

Pilate.

by

grand

nor

requested

position as

occur,

of himself

noble

custom

probably

which

Roman

justice and

Pilate.

his

of

would

him

ered
deliv-

Jesus given

miracle,

offered

nothing

conduct

until he

idea

willing sacrifice

the

to

he

theologicaldisputes

chimerical

that

all else

opportunity

the

Pilate

tions
ques-

after

manner,

him, Pilate

the

explanation

frank

his

answer

Jews according
to

have

not

fore,
position. There-

to

save

preacher.

preacher,

of
him

the

spare
a

will

no

^but not

"

them

his

explain

regard

subject people

to

to the

over

swers,
an-

when

that

should

exasperating

an

as

straightforward

willingness to

who,

Roman,

prisoner

had

seeing Jesus

no

impressed by Jesus' silence,

the

of it

who
of

was

rightfullyastonished

was

chance

the

given

classes

lower

question him,

imperial officer, desired

an

is

the

matter-of-fact

the

before

(Matt,

ambiguity, which

such

But
.

and

it"

ways
al-

xxiii,3; John xviii,

among

hear

to

had

as

sayest

2; Luke

xv,

37 ; Nicodemus
had

MYTHOLOGY.

officer,but
consideration

is

nothing

there
in

the

noble

in

THE

Jesus' willingness
death

this

at

and
he

he

staked

in any

the

the

to

was

on

his

desired

life for

of

cause,

which

Jesus

the Jews, and

blind

had

godhead,
his

he

mission

in the
mankind

son

his

By dying

Son,

witness

as

and

the

titude
at-

die

knowing
knew
on

why

of

to

fof

to

took

he

him.

The
late
Pi-

all

the

Christian
it

sins

must

as

occur
as

of

became

could

mankind

part

As

the

of

the

that

was

instruments

grand plan, by

Jesus

ma,
dog-

he

"

be

only by

was

Savior.

the

Therefore,
of this

should

death, that

things,

his death

above,

argument

the

to

of

king

this question,

his memory

became

saved, and

the

save

the

to

as

was

answer

God, and

actual

earth.

Roman

Christianity toward
from

thus

accomplishment
was

little

who

himself

nothing

According

himself, and

eternal

declined

reason

sacrifice, by

upon

the

proclaimed

Aside

the

was

man.

those

for

fame,

base,

martyrdom

view

orthodox

of

is another

save

for

with

do

could

lenientlytreated.

his

how

matter

that

see

lends

he

is absurd.

Jesus

to

always

they

as

hatred

there

enough

fanatic

only question

Pilate

keen

lost,

ideas.

horrible

whether

and

his

no

cording
Ac-

gainer, and

the

increase

of anarchists

with

be

would

his death

necessary
un-

cause
only be-

part

heavenly glory

probably

was

courting

salvation.

to

was

his

entirely

miraculous

his

desire

The

it

was

execution

their

trial, for

belief,he

case

glory

nor

his

he

although

in

die

to

expected
to

31

MYTHOLOGY.

CHBISTIAN

the

which

Savior,

32

CHRISTIAN

THE

divine

conclusion
will

who

is

look

logic

one

makes

abandons

this

faith, he

which

cannot

be

person

who

allows

cannot

in

absurd

and

any

the

left
the

?"

the

cult.

Jesus

known

Looking

all the

at

this

death

the
with

abode

view

of

this

of

them,

what

was

fable
many

creatures

of

in

innumerable

and

mankind

by

necessarily

must

for

store

upon

him

and

his

cution.
exe-

who

ferior
in-

was

When

followers.

martyrs

the

earth

to

rationally,Jesus
of his

accept

and

descend

attendant

fact, it

godhead

the

saving
he

"Eli,

to

atonement

to

for

went

to

smiling lips,in perfect confidence,


with

presents anything but


the

one

details

to

wailing savior,

at

agony,

the

purpose

of

in courage
recall

of
were

blood

aware

in

In

and

moral

his

aloud

reasonable

for

heavenly

his

have

burn

belief
of

teachings

the

cried

and

especial

been

to

The

his

govern

writers, lost both

if

his

have

the

teachings,

logicalmind.

Christian

dogmas

Christian

shedding

meet

tianity?
Chris-

of

dogmas

to

accept

sabachthani

trinity,for,

we

then,

logicalinvestigationof

reason

ridiculous

impossible

for

the

as

Any

praise.

its unreasonable

his

courage,

Eli, lama

had

in

accepted by

way

Gospel

physical

the

and

glory

regarded

be

sufferinghis execution, Jesus, according

While

seems

should

entirely illogical.But

for

When

to

of

worthy

agents

other

Pilate

Pontius

and

Caiaphas

MYTHOLOGY.

stake,

an

to

his

doubting

cry

God,

to

impressive figure. Surely,


lie under

the

axe,

to

en-

THE

dure

the

fully

as

awful

divinity,have
To

be

weak

in his

teachings,

of

peasants
brave

in his

me?"
had

that

would

promised
the

upon

ruler

not

is

was

own

the

at

French

the

than
the

to

rose

hast

face
sur-

saken
for-

thou
before

he

suffered

who

should

be

as

be

in paradise

the

There

for

Old

such

to

of

Rome.

yoke

leader,
the

is

not

The

be

and

what

he

one

phetic
procan

many

have

Jews

looked

revolutionist
was

power

that

Testament

purpose.

not

prophecies
and

Jesus, although

to

impostor

only pretended

mes-

wisdom

Solomon.
the

awaited

powerful

teacher, and

the

that

strange
the

as

the

applied

an

is not

surpassing

in

distorted
him

his

weak

moments

from

and

strong

wandering

passage

been

the

rather

he

Jesus

them

free

gorgeous

properly

Jesus

for

malefactors

day

accept

should

socialistic

of

not

desired

They

of

few

considered, it

Everything

who

this

Christ

conduct

blood

the

on

his

cried, "Why

but

to

xxiii, 43).

(Luke

siah

he

of

one

him

Jews

fear

die

times

peasant

although

assured

beside

His

the

Mark,

to

one

revolutionary

nobility.
and

and

whole,

reminds

"

ing
uncertain, but, accord-

very

the

on

moment

supreme

of

convictions, afraid

and

men

pretended

never

story

Matthew

of

yet

things silently.

whole
and

Inquisition, were

have

these

the

gospels

the

crucifixion; and

who

borne

sure,

the

of

"

largely legendary
to

as

women

33

MYTHOLOGY.

tortures

agonizing

delicate

and

CHRISTIAN

not, but

who
who

34

CHRISTIAN

THE

their ancient

disregarded

regarded

as

his

of

divine

honors

knew

Jews

twentieth
know

However,
is

death

which

from

for

criminals

evidence

in

the

execution

and

composed

from

The

great discouragement"
V.
The

"

Jews,
should

desirous
not

hastened
to

custom,

the

is

tion
collec-

Jesus, there

it

red.
occur-

ever

is much

there

whole

which

story of the

mythical

and

and

pagan

David

was

gends.
lefrom

"complaineth

his diseased

"

of

mode

usual

copied verbatim

was

over

of

they

themselves

Hebrew

Distorted

requested
be

that

xxii, 1, wherein

the

credulityas

of

that

that the

cry

was

they accept.

resurrection

dying

their

gospels

various

and

save

by hanging,

was

the conclusion

points to

Psalms

fact

he

Jews

god,

the execution

the

that

death, and

him,

tax

adults

as

every

large majority

legitimate doubt

Aside

internal

the

of

about

which

regarding
the

always

To

worthy

until

was

vanished

Christians, he is

puerile myths

children, but

had

personally; to

century

trine
doc-

that he

not

was

him.

paid

were

absolutely nothing
of

it

existence

very

him

preached

their rabbis.

by

and

revolutionist

vagrant

and

long after his death

prophet,

proof

until

not

was

laws

that held

to

contrary
It

MYTHOLOGY.

in

condition.

Prophecies."

that the

spectacleof

the

cution
exe-

bath,
pollute the sanctityof their Sab-

that

the

death

(Johif xix, 31).


the Roman

of

the

victim

Therefore,

soldiers

broke

the

might
ing
accord-

legs of

36

THE

CHRISTIAN

actually dead
that

event,

with

fulfilled
whom

and, in
of

one

lance.

Here

the

they

shall

pierced."

This

diatribe

spirit of
look

the

was

enemies

the

of

have

John

context

reads

all the

nations

(Zech. xii, 9),

and

could

How
in

this,

I will seek

to

against Jerusalem"
the

at

in

was

writers

the

in

the

drawing

of

the

cross

of

for

the

of

the

of

the

time

hands

the

Matthew
the

by

the

of

minor

military guard

in Psalms

xxii, 18, "They

them, and

cast

lots upon

35

"the

"

accorded

preceding

verse

my

figure, he

16, in the
says

the usual

"

cuted
exe-

the

considered

fulfillment

of

John xix, 23, 24) found


part my

him

saw

foot

the

at

possessions of

garments

among

vesture," which

metaphorical expression

the treatment

John

Jesus

always

were

prophecy" (Matt, xxvii,

and

soldiers

garments

criminals, which

spoil of

of

lots

the

regarding

custom

day

come

when

prophet in

prophecy

that

that

of

Juda.

have

they

Likewise,

was

seen

"in

crucifixion, Jerusalem
Romans

of

of

supplications;

whom

language

on
up-

inhabitants

and

me

xii,

I will pour

the

grace

him

on

Zechariah

to

upon

upon

prophecy

shall look

words, "And

against the

writer

destroy

another

refers

David, and

of

Jerusalem,

when

pierced his heart

sees

This

hasten

to

not,

was

soldiers

John

find the

we

the house

the

the

they pierced."

and

he

case

(John xix, Z7), "They

10, where

MYTHOLOGY.

by
same

of David

concerning

his enemies.
relation

"they pierced

my

really

In

and
hands

the
torical
rheand

THE

feet."

my

CHRISTIAN

On

the

happy
adepts

at

refers

to

the

but

It

of wine

and

myrrh

the

sufferingsof

to

Jesus

he

the

at

him.
the

he

wished

when

time

God

Matthew,

is he

to

thirst

words

should

see

they

also

me

gave

decrease

this

was

xv,

ably
23), prob-

offered

and

vinegar

prophecy
gall for

vinegar

me

thus

intentionally falsifies

to

gall,so

in Psalms
and

meat;

my

drink," which

David

really applied by

were

and

drink

miraculously reprieve

messianic

ing
narrat-

perfectly conscious

calls the drink

xix, 21, "They gave


in my

him

be

to

with

condemned

(Mark

xxvii, 34,

episode and

bound

it

Luke

nor

xxiii,34).

When

execution.

refused

because

the

stupefy

to

ticularly
par-

prophecy regarding

themselves

give

Christian

Mark

24; Luke

xv,
to

customary

was

of

was

the

Neither

content

(Mark

event

xxii
for

composition

fulfillment

vestments,
the

whole, Psalm

misconstruction.
the

37

MYTHOLOGY.

his

to

own

personal enemies.
VI.

Regarding

"

the

that, whereas

note

of
wounds

hours
in the

and

The

Kesurrection.

resurrection, it is interestingto
most

crucified

even

hands

not

in

day
being

lived

men

this

mortal

ber
num-

torture,
the

and

only affectingthe circulation, causing


by

exhaustion

hours.
not
or

or

Therefore,

sition
po-

death

starvation, Jesus lived only three


it may

actually dead, but

perhaps

the

have

merely

that

been
in

cataleptic condition.

state

The

he

of
custom

was

coma,

he

38

THE

had

of

using

told

as

in

CHEISTIAN

his

the

MYTHOLOGY.

subjectivemind

gospels,

in

point

to

seems

telepathic
cures,
this

to

clusion,
con-

tion
that, being strongly subjective,his condihere
of

men

as

the

cataleptic. Many

was

having

embalming

consisted

in
with

oppose

this

in

tomb,

the

been

lack

of

It

from

much

the

visited

angel
and
it

But

Mark
to
to

the

the

to

he

while

out

gone

wandered
and

they

he

came

he

Magdalene

the

to

from

told them

the

relates that

"early

says

other

quake
earth-

an

door

and

risen, which

they
them

met

worshiped

some

him."

variations

Jesus appeared

the

saw

"go quickly,

to

story with

sepulchre

they

during

and
.

versions

the

and

where

heaven
stone

seems

Matthew

going (9) "Jesus

were

similar

angel,but

Mary

And

different

Magdalene

the

legend

there

as

Christ.

from

this

religiousheroes,

the

disciples" that he had

they

tells

that

dead,

sepulchre (3),

(7).

as

Mary

roll back

and
.

nothing

exhaustion

Magdalene

with

descend

tell his

did.

Mary

that

the

between

meeting

(xxviii, 1)

and

from

other

of

from

rose

visit of

sit upon

those

variance

her

male

and

which

probable, however,

more

likewise

Mary

is

revived

have

may

in

resting for

die in solitude

to

who

and

After

custom

wrapping

aloes, there

by others, after

seen

copied

of

he

Jewish

food.

is

be

and

hypothesis.

was

to

in the

than

more

known

are

crucifixion,and,

after

given Jesus

myrrh

again

away

restored

nothing

shroud

and

been

cases

first

day

of

as

first
the

CHRISTIAN

THE

week"

and

(xvi, 9),

the mother

they

where

the

Luke,

to

not

shining garments"

in

left

and

here

of

the

told
the

however,

gives

of

that

(xx)
tomb, which

going early and

found

entirelyempty,

verified

Peter, who
she

After

left alone

was

where

again,
turning

Setting
in these

aside

of

The
the

been

cast

hallucination

devils

seven

statingthat

56; Mark

xv,

mind, which

again

gave

with

Mary

way

and

more

she

on

tion.
explanahave

may

cording
Ac-

viii,2, Jesus had


is

neurotic

of

and

for

present

normal
returned

in
to

cient
suffi-

temperament

hysteria.

witnessing

master,
was

surely

three

the

cifixion
cru-

gospels

(Matt, xxvii,

40; John xix, 25), this fond


seemed

chre
sepul-

yet 'another

rational

delusions

to

her
she

Luke

of

the shock
of

departed.

hystericalwoman.

was

formed
in-

her.

from

her, which

of

subject

death

knd
in

she

after

Undoubtedly

agree

out

that

been

had

Jesus
of

and

ran

the

theory already
cataleptic

xvi, 9, and

Mark

proof
and

of

to

mythical plagiarism

still find

can

we

meeting

to

of

considering them

and

view,

idea

also the

tales, and

mentioned,

point

the

rates
nar-

angels, and

two

Jesus standing by

saw

away

He

into the

looked

beheld

she

John,

alone

story and

her

she

they

is made

version.

Mary,

she

men

Magdalene.

Mary

elaborate

more

tomb,

"two

mention

No

cording
Ac-

risen, and

had

Jesus

apostles.

the

to

went

by (xxiv, 4)

that

Mary,

the tomb.

at

women

encounter

visit with

Salome

informed

were

her

on

James, and

of

39

MYTHOLOGY.

woman's

his presence,
her

hysterical

40

THE

condition.

him

stole
risen

the

As

11-15).

went

has

all the

the
Christ

and

your

be

of

voice
and

when

she

The

so.

tion
rela-

simple neurosis, and

in

risen, then

their

yet
faith

whole

Corinthians

is

our

14,

xv,

preaching vain,

it is

to

Christians

was

quaked,
rent

death

of
on

at

the air and

Romulus,

the

man.

Mount

it

of

time

When

billows

there

was

some

of

his

sions
convultheus
Prome-

"the

lightning flashed,

boisterous

cording
ac-

ary
custom-

was

natural

Caucasus

god

antiquity,

of

the presence

peoples

great

roared,

their

methods

remarkable

some

crucified

of

for their

foundation

phenomena

all ancient

death

thunder

the

rection
physical resur-

executed

having

necessityof

the

the

no

felt the

attribute
to

is

there

approved

among

unless

work,

mockery.

natural

death, for

and

the most

remarkable

this

possibilityof miracles,

personal devil,
body,

of

parts

in the

satisfied with

to

do

not

base

Paul

in various

faith,and

the

of

not

of the

winds

marks

believe

of

Not

his

faith is also vain."

Christians
power

heard

hysterical subjects)

Christians

noted

As

of

reported

(Matt, xxviii,

leaving, she

was

words

"If

day"

had

he

commonly

this

him, she could

modern

upon

is

declare

it
and

by night

but
(another hallucination),

touch

to

many

until

delusion

common

his form

saw

"as

found

she

they might

dead,

she

tomb,

disciples came

that

Jews

the

among

"his

away,"

from

MYTHOLOGY.

visiting the

On

because

empty

(a

CHRISTIAN

rose."

"darkness

earth
wild
On
over

The

drawing

from
the

MESSIAH

have
ascended

the

of

has
suffered

into

this
in

monument

messiah

worship

of

WHO

been

ancient

Cluny

Gauls

in

crucifixion,

to

RISEN."

deity,

the

traced

heaven.

"IS

the

Museum,
Europe

2112

arisen

B.

Hesus,

Paris.
and

C.
from

Lord

He

Asia,
He

the

is

and

fabled

dead,

is
was

his
to

and

42

THE

CHBISTIAN

Krishna, the

his

unreasonable

it

life

Hindu

bodily

into

fulfilled,and
shown

are

similar
Osiris

Resurrected

"The

in
Christ's

from

rose

Memnon,
Modern

nor

vernal

dead

Baldur

and

Catholics

the

actual

was

tain
moun-

his

of

steps
foot-

also had
Adonis.

and

title of

the

being

equinox,

as

brated
cele-

is the

saviors

Other

who

Dionysius, Herakles,

were

Quetzalcoatl.
still

are

of

Magdalene

earth

ascension

Adonis'.

other
an-

ascended

high

bore

and

the

the

Rama,

on

Elijah

dead

ascended

did

of

was

crucified

^sculapius

and
did

as

was

as

and,

longer

no

and

impressions

his

at

should

also

rocks

One,"

bodily ascension

Mary
as

Egypt

and

the

the

dead

Buddha

Zoroaster

from

rose

god,

the

his mission

on

experiences,

savior

could

regions, as

the last

as

earth.

on

the

when

marks

he

Krishna,

Vishnu.

heaven

the

only plausiblesequence

celestial

of

avatar

was

punishment;

of

over,

from

rose

the

into

bodily

was

that

supreme

place

heaven.

to

savior,

the

the

so

the

of

son

earth

on

ascension

the

was

the

abide there, and


an

hell, resurrection

for

perpetuallyin

remain
as

Assyrian inferno.
into

mankind,

scended
voluntarily de-

Ishtar

descended

necessary,

of

while

Hindu;

into the

Having

MYTHOLOGY.

other

many

truths,

not

the

to

fables

of

Virgin, and

the

Jesus, Mary

and

miraculous

taught

holy
be

persons,

questioned

denied.

Very good,

but

how

today reconcile such

can

truths

educated
with

Catholics

their actual

of

scien-

knowledge?

tific

of

nothing

is
as

but

heaven

and

vast

zenith

the

of vapor,

not

furniture

did

Certainly,God

ascend?

flung them

would

also

But

of

ask

why

person

is

capable

of

his

faith,

teachings

accepts,

as

gravitation,

method

of

questions?

these

never

eternity.

for

of

fied
gloribeings

for them

about

such

portation.
trans-

No

ligious
re-

thinking sensibly on

of

he

the

ridiculous.

how

matter

no

adult, what

an

of the
adored

these

the law

know

allow

not

gions,
re-

masses

mere

repose

whirl

to

such

no

celestial

are

in his love

far into space

Catholics

These

the

whither

Then

phere
atmos-

geographicalsituation

any

for

is

these

Clouds

moment.

dead.

There

in

is

members

are

terrestrial

the

space.

of

every

He

planets

anywhere

changes

which

and

stars

earth

the

that

systems, that outside

solar

place

know

They

the

spherical,that

43

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

questions

as

child.
the

While

(Gen.

of Enoch
such

stories

classical

been

earthly

life

tombs

form

was

of
aided

discover

the
arose

heaven.

into

almost

prominent

burial
that

from

Elijah (2 Kings

to

The

of

the

heavens

custom

Christians

ii,11),

when

of

of

antiquity

of

hero

that

annals

the

every

Christ

the

of

biography

large part

spent.

this

ascension

his

24) and

translated

likewise

the idea

v.,

mythology,

having

to

bodily

probably copied

was

the

of

idea

his

converting

into

shrines

belief,as, it being impossible to


places of the
they had been

most

conspicuous,

physicallyremoved

44

CHKISTIAN

THE

The

weakness

principal
systems
in

terrestrial
Their

at

their

cared

it

stars

world

please the

and

Therefore

God,

takes

of

the

heed

All

life.

support

portion
of

doings

engaged.

of

For

this earth

alone

or

; and

that

the

souls

of

he

here,

it is

spheres

shall

has

proved

may

this

on

finitesi
in-

It is with

creates

the

in the

he

his

sends

is

mals
ani-

man,

only

purifiedstate,
after

eternallydwell

men

systems,

planet that

this

or

beauty.

which

center

this alone, he

to

their

of

creation.

his

inhabitants

Savior

son,

interests

sun,

light the

these

many

the

vegetables ;

and

space,

of

the

innumerable

other

his

kind
man-

particular world.

this

naught else than

floating in

matter

in

recognized

as

man.

planets;

to

by

man

are

deities

beneficent

of

eye

totally ignores the

of

and

that

presumed
either

they

period when

less, about

was

were

God

objects placed in the firmament

natural

He

of

ological
the-

great

is that

practice

laid at

were

when

and

moon,

all the

conception

little,and

period

of

in

now

foundations
knew

MYTHOLOGY.

the

great judgment.
Since
is but
earth
should

science
one

such

not

to

was

largest

nor

most

absurd

theological ideas

nobler
a

in this

that

annd

and
I

child
...

system

be

the

body,
doned
aban-

conception of the
not

thoughts

system

important

vaster

Should

inaugurated?

be

solar

our

and

many,

grander

turn

"When

the
the

is not

and

Deity

of

that

organized
say

thought

with
as

ology
the-

Paul,
child;

THE

when

but

I became
Cor.

things" (1
All

The

of

acceptance

his

away

for

such

Adam,

the

minds

must

solution

his

on

of their

eternal

undoubtedly

of

theology, where

so

of

Osiris

of

modern

bishop)

for

Buddha

is also

the

the

that

staff

Christ's

dead.

This

to

idea
of

school

theories

judge,

seated

(the
the
the

be

tributes
at-

best-known

the

holding

supposed

the

the

of

as

entered

and

Christian

the
of

one

was

and

in these

saw

of

of

many

judgment, bearing

the

Alexandrian

the

generally represented

was

regarding

ascension

one

judging

promulgated,

were

they

his

from

came

less
worth-

these

problem.

kingdom,

is that

sires
de-

church

hypotheses, when

false

when

accomplished

Having

aside

tion
founda-

no

Christian

in darkness

origin of species,and
only

mythical Adam,

leaves

cast

upon

were

men

evolution, which

the

If the

are

anachronistic.

of

and

biography

dogmas.

of

childish

away

now

theory

doctrines, founded
the

are

realityof

remain, she

to

put

predestination,which

as

the

entirelydestroys
sweeps

man,

xiii, 11)?

the sin of

upon

45

MYTHOLOGY.

doctrines

such

based

CHEISTIAN

on

tributes
at-

and

throne

his

crozier

he

of

the

ansata.

crux

judge

of

the

Christ

as

the

dead.
connection

In
divine

judge

with
of

advocated

have

men,

that
which

future

period,

life

it is known

as

the

idea

certain

of

of

sects

of his return
will

the

to

terminate

to-day, basing

Christians

earth

at

some

all terrestrial
this belief

upon

46

THE

Jesus* own
the

death.

his

kingdom

of

He

told

even

should

; that

xiii,30)
should

live to

his

wore

his

at

times

and

Was

in

bearing

fruit

of

assertion

the

xi, 23

; Mark

copied

of the
end
man,
summon

from

God

Ormuzd,
God

the

of the

tenets

of
the

cursing

disciples

mad

(Mark
agreed

enemies

for

their

the

fig tree

act

an

of

of

Light,

from

suspicion.
for

not

lunacy (Matt,

likewise
faith

this idea of

his

rogant
ar-

(Matt, xvii,

second

advent

theology, it being

Zoroastrian
of

20).

x,

ever,
xvii, 6) ? It is,how-

Luke

Persian

Darkness,

good

his

him

did

wild

so

even

his

power

quiteprobable that
was

that

cause

season

him

regard

improbabilities did

xi, 13-14), and

xxi, 19-20; Mark

20; xxi, 21

in

of

out

still

can

that

strange

seems

which

good

his conduct

not

tion
genera-

vii, 5-20; viii,48-52;

certainlyhad

They

it

believed

have

iii,22; John

(Mark

own

should

listening to him

preach, and

to

opinion

an

he

ix, 1-27; xxi, 32).

Such

God.

to

his

(Matt, xvi, 28; xxiii,

words,

grow

appear

iii,21),

then

in his exhortations

he becomes

their

; that

kingdom

words,

Jesus gradually

coming

after

soon

before

Israel

viii,38; Luke

part of

very

the

disciples that they could

those

of

people, believing these


as

though
advent, al-

things (Matt, xxiv, 34; Mark

some
see

be

to

23)

x,

36; xxiv, 34; Mark


Such

his

second

declared

he

cities of

these

see

his

heaven

again (Matt,

come

of

prophecy

visit all the

not

MYTHOLOGY.

proclamation

in
of

CHRISTIAN

religionthat
should

and
their

that

conquer

he

graves,

should
remove

one

in the
Ahrithen
all

evil from

the face

the
the

such

ideas

Persians.
have

The

another

Buddhists

Hindus

looking

the

Jews

are

second

advent

their dream
who

took

and

"

realized

forward

to

awaiting

the

will

constant

the

It

that

proven

by

New

the
the

all

tempests,

dead;

Buddha,

Horus,
likewise.

to

way

But
of

through

Christ

must

one

is

founders

of

cured

of

Mount

Iran

not

to

forget that

Even

Krishna

restored

walked

innumerable

to-day

the

law),

others

with

faith

the
water

on

receive

content

most

sects, and

new

did

miracles

physician type, juggled

sleeve.

the

claim.

(who

in

him

to

of

one

to

fully

was

not

lepers, and

Zoroaster

Mohammed,

his

submissive-

attributed

miracles

.^sculapius, and

omnipotent

Spaniards,

Christians

religious charlatans

lulled

his

their

of

miracles

many

attributes
which

of the

orthodox

godhead

Testament.

common

deity's

Miracles.

"

among

performance

and

them.

is customary

assert

of

return

messiah;

of their consequent

advantage

the

Codom;

unfortunately thought

the arrival

on

VII.

the

of

coming

most

exterminate

to

ness

on

live in

Siamese

second

and

Vishnu

that

disciples of Quetzalcoatl expected that

the

one

upon

Christians

to

believe
the

avatar;

are

Buddha;

unique

not

are

expectation of the

the

virtue

righteousness and

of

lish
estab-

permanently

earth.

But

the

and

of nature,

kingdom

47

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

in

of

moon

miracles

48

THE

is not

been

CHRISTIAN

dead, and
claimed

of

the

be

can

Holy
doubt

no

comparative theology
when

correct

was

that
Testament

he

is

one

and

waves

widow's

with

men

blind

eyes,

"Orue

that

cured

who
of

his

of

his

and

we

been

which

Elijah
EHsha
As

still
the

made
fed

dred
hun-

for

opening

on

water,

myths

common

in

man

lame

to

mention

here

the

all

of

reports

logic

"

by
a

the

laying

by

the

of

of

touch
the

god

Miracles,"

on

attested

numerous

on

means

mere

vision

"Essay

profane

Vespasian,

Alexandria

man

in his

Hume

of

miracles

Tacitus

foot, in obedience

might

to

power

...

resulting from

cures

had

sea.

attested

spittle,and

Serapis," says

fasted

raising the dead, resurrection,

blind

changed

race."

every

of the best

history is

New

the

also

healing diseases, walking

of

tianity
Chris-

on

of

Elias

loaves.

ascension, all these have


currency

Conway

Bacchus

and

student

D.

miracles

original.

at

twenty

demons,

casting out

of

in his essay

oil increase;

and

Us.

Moncure

Pythagoras

Sand-

tempests

meal

mind

Moses
.

forty days.

in the

all the

into wine.

water

and

that

Christian

City, and

Ghost

stated

"among
not

Zion

of

of

founder

Eddy,

founder

of

ford, leader
There

Mrs.

have

attributes

miracle-working

for

Science, Dowie,

MYTHOLOGY.

royal

hands

by divinely appointed sovereigns.


The
touched

by

rulers
for

of

France,

Aragon,

and

England

scrofula, this practicebeing continued

the latter from

the

period

of its

origin with

Ed-

50

CHRISTIAN

THE

MYTHOLOGY.

Mark

pleted (Matt, ix, 2-7; xii, 10-13;


Luke

18-25).

V,

all

Among
of

disease

of

some

primitive peoples, the principal cause


supposed

was

deity toward

xxxviii, 3).

(Psalms
the

in

gods

in

diminished
but

mental

strength
it

centuries

for

to

trumpets

scare

rid the

patient of

of

methods
menting
tor-

After

victim.

the

and

troubles,

some

universal

the

afflictions

nervous

all

the

spirit,to the

church

to

of

inhabitant

unwelcome

the

and

prayers

the mediaeval

of

water

priests

tooting of

and

gongs

were

exorcisms,

various

to

of

that

theory

possession, and

away

sprinkling of holy

neglect

or

favorite

regarded

as

primitive banging

the

from

was

sending evil and

resorted

medicine-men

and

the

body

demoniacal

to

who

offense

some

of

was

derangements

solely due

displeasure

disease, this theory gradually

of

learned

was

for

One

the

the

afflicted person,

was
afflicting

spiritsinto
more

lie in

to

the

by this deity

punished

of

ii, 3-12:

his

body.
That
is
or

Jesus

undoubted,
calling out
For

also

find

various
14-18

and

the

into

Mark

him

ix, 37-42).

effected

devil

his

cures

from

the

there

is

an

innocent

v,

2-14;

casting

instances
; Mark

he

example,

driving devils
viii,28-33;

in this demoniacal

believed

out

body

by ordering
of

story

herd

possession

of swine

the
of

sessed.
pos-

Jesus
(Matt,

viii, 26-34).

Luke
and

rebuking

devils

We
in

(Matt, ix, 32-34; xii, 22-24; xvii,

i,23-24, 34

iii,1 1

Luke

iv,33-36, 41

copied

were

But,

miracles

at

meaning

of the

of

at

miracle

law, and

psychological laws.
performed

be

the

Christ

placed

were

subjectiveminds,
cured

from

the

There

is

when

death,

force

of

healer

present;

faith, the

here ; it is

psychic laws,

on

higher

They

are

at

their

upon

distance, they

merely

tion
demonstra-

and

does

healers, who

within

the

modern

consciously and

dispensationof

the

erned
gov-

place

not

intellectual plane than

mental

work

and

hypnotic phenomena,

by

knowingly

tients
pa-

subjective mentalities.

their

to

miracle

no

the

to

even

to

telepathic suggestionsconveyed

the

by

hypnotistsand
laws.

continued

passivity (hypnosis)

in

telepathic and

of

Christ

performed

been

they have

the

the

well-established

by suggestions being impressed

treated

were

with

his

suspension

performed,

were

had

after

years

Through

present time.

of

all

his birth, and

before

years

the

gospel accounts

from

They

not

were

be, in the very

must

all,in perfectaccordance

Jesus

biographers.

his

performed by

word,

therapeuticsof

mental
if

all, for

natural

of

they actuallyoccurred, they

if

even

legends by

older

from

miracles

medical

these
probability,

In all

61

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

anything but proofs of

the

these

godhead

Jesus.
It would

seem

idea in mind
miracle
unable

and
to

callingthem

that the

when

they demanded

requested
comply,

Pharisees

he

"a

sign

evaded

hypocritesand

"an

had
an

from
this

some

such

astronomical

heaven."

performance

evil and

But,

by

adulterous

52

THE

viii, 11-13; Luke

1-4; Mark

18,24;

the

fails

the

of all sects
convince

to

authenticityof

of
been
to

so

well

them

suppose

medical

history
in

animation";
entire

is the

of

teems

with

"present
There

are

for

lying

such

and

are

"resurrected"
it does

acts

on

not

vital

crime

embalming

of

Some

embalming

before

the dead

All

states.

of people

cases

to

be buried

without
seem

travelers

Hindu
for

fakirs

the parts of various

that

are

who

weeks, and

having suffered.

improbable

culation,
cir-

lives and

renewed

alive

with

even

restricted

to

Eastern

practices of

be made

then

can

due
to

organs;

is apparent.

upon

returning

the

themselves

the

catalepticconditions,

then

of death

proof

well-proven

in

perfectlyhealthy
allow

reason

"suspended

of

cases

condition

numerous

with

have

catalepsy,and

of

of

slightsigns of decomposition

familiar

little

appearance"

better

days

and

seems

fact, the only actual

conditions, because

such

miracles

cases

actually insist

undertakers

to

heard

cruelty

before

of

hearers

Such

there

decomposition

therefore, the
corpses

that

which

entirelyfictitious.

has

Everyone

life.

ligious
re-

claims, is that

leader's

to

one

and

witnesses

to

attested

times, and

and

such

dead

restoring the

ascribed

miracles

commonest

leaders
never

ii,

xi, 16,29; John

vi, 30).
of

One

sign be

no

generation" (Matt, xii,38-39; xvi,

this

unto

shall

saying, "There

generation,"and
given

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

fore,
There-

some

religiousleaders

such
may

THE

have

CHRISTIAN

occurred

which

ignorant, and

produce

which
the

he

become

Christians

death

in

convert,

The

wealthy

the

wonderful

such

case,

pagan
for

payment
failure

which

actual

words

"The

maid

were,

Mark

(Matt, ix, 24;


his

aught

opinion

was

is

in

was

the

neither

of the

raisingof Lazarus,

which

Jairus' daughter,
gospel.

According

he

had

been

17), although Jesus


is not

sickness

of

(John xi, 4), or,

dead

resurrection

four

God

for
be

might

in other
Lazarus

the

and

add

to

For

this

reason,

cause

was

gaping

prestige
he

of

Lazarus

was

that

the

''this

glory

of

by"
glorifiedthere-

words, Jesus believed

obliged
that

frightful experience
might

to

(John xi,

declared

He

ably
prob-

Lazarus

days

that

his

in

appear

raised

John,

story of

the

hyperbolical and

death, but

unfortunate

this

not

maintained

unto

God, that the Son

the

this

(John xi, 11).

dead

it for

authority, Jesus

demented
life after

to

gospels says

find it in

we

does

sleepeth"

tion.
catalepticcondi-

substituted

have

to

seems

leader,

ing
viii,52), show-

first three

While

of

their

to

39; Luke

she

forgetful-

dead, but

not

raised

Jesus

entire

in

accredited

v,

that

that

proclaim

Jairus' daughter,

the

of

ness

that

educated.

many

such

with

result.

from

not

the

among

one

would

wonder

challenged by

even

Orthodox

who

excited

proclaimed

works, albeit when


to

have

interest

early Christians

53

MYTHOLOGY.

among

the

his
the

miracle

to

dergo
un-

seeming
vulgar,
worker.

purposely postponed going

to

54:

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

dying

he

life !

have

later

said

sleepeth; but

the

of

I may

sleep" (John xi, 11).

friend

awake

him

sepulchre,he approached it,groaning


in
to

theatrical

most

voice, "Lazarus,
and

arose

man

have

the

been

which

caused

if the

affair

like

the

It is

play,

the

were

of
to

light.

the

him,
it

If

the

and

and

or

It had
the

desirous

messiah

be

that
to

in

to

appear.

religions
the

ination
imag-

able
discredita

very

it shows

of

show

gaining

bad

Jesus

as

his power
a

ing
follow-

by raisinga hypnotized

prophesied (2
should

"come

to

it is most

hero

his

anxious

either

story reads

words

due

were

Christ

partisans

were

the

John,

of

it may

probability,

waiting man

by creating a cheap
been

the dead

preconceived

was

actually occurred,

vulgar,

loud

the

the whole

and

places

by charlatanry,
man

in all

actors

If the tale

vain-gloriousboaster,

to

the

for the

author

in

of

contemptiblemethods

such

by

will

and

undoubtedly

established.

are

voice

All

cue

appeal

whereupon

occurred, it

and

would

cried

awakening, but,

ever

weeping,

catalepsy,and

been

professed messiah,

forth"

strong

incident.

dramatic
of the

have

the

at

(John xi, 33,35,43).

out

came

this may

Now,

forth !"

come

of

out

and

as

audience, and

highly strung

such

manner,

he

Lazarus

arrived

Having

to

when

Finally,however,

that

him

bringing

"Our
positively,

I go,

saved, that

have

might

glory

ethics !

Excellent

depart, he

did

he

whom

man,

might

MYTHOLOGY.

melodrama.
Esdras

miracle

xiii,50) that
worker,

which

CHRISTIAN

THE

caused

probably
accepted

Jesus

raising of

mission
the

affect

to

the part of the

soil his

to

65

MYTHOLOGY.

this role

messiah, and

dead

in

imitation

Elisha

prophets, Elijah and

he

condescend

to

by charlatanism,

when

of

the

to

even

the

former

(I Kings xvii, 16-24;

Kings iv, 18-37).

II

It is rather
that

amusing

well-named,

orthodoxy, boldly

German

old

sturdy

in

assert

straightforwardness,in

and

Christian

respects
in the

denial

bulwark

of

the

to

combat

have

we

this

unanimity ?

the

entire

[The

Christian
them

Because

citadel

italics

miracle, its author


upon

aside, then

be

leveled

heap

from
the

covers"

VIII.
The

"

all the

with
a

imth

If the

its consummation.

but

all at

the

of

its

miracles

of

falls.

or

beginning is

miracle, its

they

whence

But

the truth

will

pends
de-

progress

hereafter

be

miracles

principle of

be

heights of Christianitywill
stroke, and

one

this

in its defense

once.

For

own.]
is

other

in

unitedly storm

faith; and

miracles, and

set

much

of Christianity stands

his

are

Doubt

differ, they all agree

may

miracles, and

of

simplicity

"Modem

"However

opponents

our

his

of

supporter

irrevocable

and

Belief":

Christlieb,

Theodore

hear

to

ruins.

If

Bible, there

banish

we

is

will

naught

the

nothing left

main
re-

natural
superus

but

(pages 285-6).

Atonement

dogma

naturallyresulted

and

of
from

the
the

Salvation
atonement

by

Faith.

which

very

theologicalinterpretation

56

THE

the

of

church.

by sacrifice
the

bear

of

the

of

death

offered

being

mankind.

by

the

the

of

of

moon

kept

exhibited

and

the time

of

man

possessed

Greeks
human

were

and

it

of the busiest

sailles,one
Greek

divine

familiar

also

scapegoat,

of

was

with

ravaged by
the

old

he

that

spirit.The

an

the

most

slaves.

his

purificathe

dead

ancient
of

use

at

the
Mar-

brilliant of

inspired man
plague.

All

in
was

After

as

the

the

him

customary

and

colonies, to sacrifice

city

body

with

was

Jesus.

symptoms

sacrificed.
the

upon

of

of

after which

being believed

it

ceremony,

was

year,

eral
gen-

sacred

usual

sin

was

Albanians

than

forth to be

led

death, the people stood

tionary

divine

from

incarnation

number

then

all the sins

redemption

the

more

luxury for

utmost

more

the high priest maintained


inspiration,

anointed

the

for

atone

before

the

the

to

sacrifice of

divine

the

the

sacrifice and

the

popular centuries

one

of

one

complicated society.

more

belief of

The

Caucasus

When

the

primitive man

sufferingshould

temple

eastern

of

of

sufferingsof

and

others, in payment

the idea of human

whose

of

of

victim

find sacrifices of various

we

culminating theory of

the

devoted

one

acceptable, is

was

sacrifices

Finally came

In

sins

averting disasters

propitiate the deities, from

to

simple offerings
elaborate

of

causing

greatest antiquity,and
kinds

idea

thus

load

his

which

The

and

the

readily accepted by

crucifixion, was

Christian

to

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

the

when
are

Jewish practice of using

miliar
fathe

58

CHRISTIAN

THE

for

such

was

undermined,

the

was

doctrine

The

actual

the

of

forgive

its sins

God

of

godhead

Jesus, is

the

Jewish teachings, which

(Ex. xxxiv, 6-7;


Is.

Some

old

the

devil

justice
think

innocent

of

Constantinople, in

to

that he had

to
no

or

angel

had

never

was

cepted
ac-

an

son

for

if the

weaker

would

Supreme

the

demanded

not

sacrifice
Proclus

guilty.

the

that

either

the

is

wherewithal
die

that
it has

for man,

to

higher

God

moral

sacrificed

the unfortunate

than

demand

could

the

as

ransom,

arch

and

it, it

pay

the devil greater power

devil

be

us."

for

certainlyof
states

should

they

price be paid ;

sufficient

wrote

therefore,

necessary,

was

part of the god-head


was

Their

sacrificed.

was

was

servitude, boasting

which

that

it

of

It

idea

that

state

attributingto

God;

himself

4;

cxxx,

Austin,

should

God

innocent

sins

of

us.

death,

than

result of
to

bought

such

own

freely

the age

in

us

that

remained
While

it

in

with

their

of

believed

sins of

being condemned,

because

that

confession

the

of

the

for

held

*'the devil

his

God

that he

an

nature

held

Christ

of

dragged

belief

of

variance

writers

the

that

them

all

would

entirelyat

ix, 9) that

allow

that

humamty

ix, 17; Ps. ciii,3;

Neh.

Christian

the

in

belief

with

angry

them.

by

to

so

the

Dan.

xxxiii, 24;

ruined.

was

its acceptance

on

on

orthodoxy

transgressions,and

the

forgave penitents

nation

was

its ancestors'

only

When

case.

Jewish

that

because

MYTHOLOGY.

fiend.

and
then

than
ceive
re-

God

ANUBIS
He

"weighed

that

so

Osiris

the

the
Note

the
dead
that

THOTH.

defects

and

merits

judge

and

sentence

THE

DEAD.

might

RAISING
In

OR

of

departed souls,

them/'

of Osiris, raises
religion, Horus, son
the
life-giving principle.
communicating
by
the
ansata.
he
crux
employs

Egyptian

"the

vork
V!EV'

LIBRARY
PUBLIC

LENOX

ASTOR,

tiu^DATIONS

TILDEN

CHRISTIAN

THE

in his "Two

Hislop,
the

Chaldean

and

merits

justifiedand
it,and

of

Parsee

the

bridge

such

should

theories
that
of

believer

comfort,

of

declares

alone

hearty

obedience

lives

This

to
man

is

crime

simple

the

immoral

and

condemns
and

absurd
one

which

misery.

alone

is

seem

salvation

ducive
con-

Then

he

Christian
he

of

God,"

"absolutely
solely

Christ."
and

immoral
leads
man

in

loving, filial,

commands

absurd
and

serts
as-

solid feeling

merits, simply and

human

all the

faith

reach

of the most

one

whether

alone," which

life of

and

the law
may

Christianity,and
of

deeds.

faith

tice
Jus-

his prospects

good

righteousness of

the

of

and

produce

"can

irrespective of

he

fact would

very

of

connected

decide

"any

to

as

and

sentence

Angel

to

have

ever

by
"justification

which

through

can

assurance

or

clean

doctrine

by

the

paradise,

in ecstasy to exalt

continues

and

Chinevad, which

world," which

to

the merits

"utterly demoralizing,"

as

no

the eternal

and

that

enter

the

reviewed

judge

earth, weighing souls

they

with

ance
Osiris, in accord-

that

belief
of

be

must

atonement

weighed

result, might

the

and

not

or

the

on

heaven

the

of

dogma

departed souls, so

; and
sat

the

they

God,'^ utterly condemns

belief that Anubis

with
them

of

accepted

that

upon

works

''by the

was

pleasure. Having
illogical

Egyptian
defects

it

that

themselves

men

gloriesin

great and

Babylons," commenting

doctrine
of

59

MYTHOLOGY.

perfect and

doctrines
to

who

immoral

trines
docof

all varieties
believes

that

acceptable pass-

50

eternal

to

port
a

CHEISTIAN

THE

decent

all the crimes

no

life.

is

known

will

save

while

doomed

to

horrible

doctrine

of

Every
at the

of the

in

actions

unpunished,

and

IX.
The

"

dogma

the

that astute

idea

shirk

that

or

to

sin?

All

Trinity

of the

famous

"

is

in

or

man,

that

the

one

to

allow

suffering is

license

phemous,
ridiculous, blas-

this

stupid dogma.

Mariolatry.

trinity,which
and

suppose

will

that

illogical
appears
The

to

ardly
cow-

responsibilities

the

another
such

of atonement;

animal,

an

altars

the

at

something

not

contemptible

strongly advocated,

through

same

either

suffering of

humanity

made

trying to

upon

it not

and

the

old

Christ, and

of the

were

this, is there

mean

death

for

with

gods

knows

centuries

were

birth

supposed
sacrifices

from

Is

go

God!

atonement

of

conception

blasphemous

is

What

of

but, aside

god?

What

life

humanity

believe!

he

maculate
im-

his whole

of

progress

unless

and

standards

spends

in

ment;
punish-

views

of different

of one^s

faith

his

comparative theology

sorts

and

for

of

date

all

that

murder,

may

student

such

that

the

damnation,

justiceof

the

high ethical

for

; he

either

commit

his well-deserved

principles,who

self-sacrifice

lead

to

libertyto

at

impunity,

from
of

man

pains

his nature

to

him

moral
in

He

lie with

and

steal,rape,
Christ

bliss will take

useful

or

MYTHOLOGY.

was

introduced,

finallysuccessfullylobbied

Council

of

Nicaea

in

315, by

theologicalpoliticianAthanasius, Bishop

THE

of

CHBISTIAN

Alexandria, split the

and

threw

Athanasius
school

of

the

was

Christian
and
"

Egyptians

were

and

mysticism,

Christians

The

of

triangle.

perfect

in

grouped

and

persons,

under

the

But

Egypt

they

the

To

of

which

theory

all the
to

find

of

the

is the

molded

not
sex

similar
most

This

unless

it

faith

new

Horus

was

three,

the

form

nothing

could

of

three

ponent
com-

generally

were

cities

their

having

divided

into three

were

worshiped

Horus

triangle.
alone

worship

in her
had

features

of

divine

Brahma,

of the Alexandrian

under

was

many

prominent

triad

such

their

trinitarian

strong

it is not

religiousexpressions

doctrine

craft,
priest-

the number

peoples of antiquity,and

things.
of

of

The

made

Egyptians

three,

of the

was

say,

sources.

pliant minds

Osiris, Isis and

sign

almost

ceremony,

Therefore, their gods

sets

its inspiratio

old.

especialtrinities.

own

and

all of

that

complete

or

parts.

The

by

they generally represented

be

might

Egyptians highly revered

which

drew

Egyptian

the

their

of

Alexandrian

which

surrounded

were

form

the

essentiallyreligiouspeople whose

deep impression upon


in the

in twain

bloodshed.

of

one

"

ancient

an

deistic ideas

leader

largely

church

and

theology

ideas
from

exclusively

Christian

into turmoil

Europe

61

MYTHOLOGY.

the

is called

the creator,

of

the

Tri-murti

an

on

surprising
One

theology

governing

Vishnu, the

Siva, the destroyer. It is

hold

in India.

Indian

triad

ideas.

and

ail

sists
con-

preserver,

inseparable unity

62

THE

CHBISTIAN

three

though

Japan,

most

God

in the

form

similar

triad

Thor,

and

One
the

of

the

weak

many

as

apostles

that

one

the

early

Christian

the

Lord,

him

present

attention

to

the
such
of
the

the

universe

in

the

them.

with

must

supposition.
of

kingdoms

world, and

was

thought

that

therefore

our

ered
considwho

being

must

ported
sup-

have

creation, giving his

exerting
that

his power

he

upon

familiarly

was

the

Moreover,
be

Peter

with

free

so

and

time

same

of

Christianity"

the

of

him

attitude

and

part

every

nized
recog-

treated

did, if they had

maker,

to

by Priestley,

of

made

have

sometimes

temptation
a

be

never

everything, and

everything, at
conversing

"Corruptions

would

their

as

noted

disciples is

of

even

have

to

seem

This

can

the whole
been

Odin,

Testament,

like themselves.

"It

they

New

always

his

others

as

of

the doctrine

but

in

remarks

(page 136)
and

The

triple

noticeable

the

to

never

divinityof Jesus,
Jew

who

creator,

destroyer.

in

be

must

themselves

human

the

consisted

points

Christians, is that, according

the

have

Frey.

trinity,and

the

worship

worshiped

and

god,

one

China

Persians

the

Ahriman,
likewise

yet

was

The

Ormuzd,

of

Scandinavians
who

deity

and

son,

Buddhists,

are

trinity.

of

inhabitants

whom

of
of

The

composed

Mithras, the
ancient

form.

in

and

MYTHOLOGY.

history

of

altogether improbable

For

what

this

world

already

in

could
to

him

be

the
who

possession

of

in

offer
made
it?"

64

THE

The

CHRISTIAN

whole

phrase

of

trinitarianism

Peter

of

MYTHOLOGY.

Lombard,

impossible arithmetical
of

the

that

trinityis
receive

can

that

pray

could

of

the

honor

all the

of

for

practice, that

land

every

goddess,
not

merely

the

moon

that

personification

Isis, mother

worshiped
of

and

as

of
a

the

Egyptian

virgin

Heaven,"

and

was

"Mother

"Immaculate

represented

the

of

with

was

adopt this

have

heaven,

all

sonificati
per-

body

that

month.

In

as

for

virgin

by

mother
there

is
of

queen

nations,

was

moon.

savior

Horus,

styled "Our
of

Virgin."
the

It

nations

every

the

of

tures
principal fea-

loving;

worshiped

commonly

so

to

worshiped

was

the

to

worthy

celestial

earth

on

slightest doubt

"Queen

beautiful

down

knee

All
of

queen

the
who

for

deity?

the

of

beautiful, and

pure,

the

heaven,

that

benignly

so

the

theologies.
chaste

pure,

followed

church

one

godhead,

high god,

most

Christian

that

he

let him

the

of

incarnate

been

ancient

of
smiles

the

it had

the

worshiped

the

it ; but

considered

humanity,

"He

says:

understand."

bend

to

the

person

it; and

one

the

one

no

may

naturally

bearing

easier

of

all

of

he

made

two,

believe

of

son

refuse

reasonably

other

ordained

his mother

virgin

one

been

that

receive

believes

only begotten

worship

him

however,
he

Jesus having
the

the

this,let

what

having

assertion

in the

epitomized

who,

less than

him,

let

cannot,

is

divine

God,"
She
infant

was

Lady,"

sor,"
"Interceswas

monly
com-

seated

on

ISIS
The

Virgin
which

Egyptians frankly
Mother
suggests

with

the

HORUS.

AND

the

the

surmounted

figure
The

reason.

of
fish

effigiesof their
of
fish, the form

associated

was

with
It is

element
in creation.
Isis, representing the female
associated v/ith the dies Veneris
Friday
(day of Venus).
after Friga, a goddess of
is fish day, and Friday is named
and
the ancient
Germans,
Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxons,

corresponding
profess to
commemoration

acquainted

the

to
eat

of
with

the

That

Venus.

Roman

Friday by

fish

on

the

crucifixion

antiquity

of

the

of

way

does

Roman

not

symbol.

olics
Cath-

abstinence

mislead

in

those

VORK
riEV.^
THE

LIBRARY
PUBLIC

LENOX
ASTOR,

rOUJ^D'.TlO-N-TILDEN

THE

her

lap, or

With

of

standing
of

glory

crescent

moon

held

was

the

dome

the

city

of

St.

fell

enemies, and

again

changed,

power

soon

of

the
as

Greek

adorned

gold

Turkish

and

the

of his victorious

his Christiah

to

religious significance

as

emblem

an

be

to

with

When

arms,

symbol

the

came

Christians

the

by

humiliation

symbol

Constantinople.

at

before

as

thus

of the crescent

sacred

moon

crescent

and

power

Isis to Christianity,

of

portrayed standing upon

Sophia

the

ing
hav-

head.

peculiarlysacred

1453

in

adopted

forgetful

became

large crescent

her

worship

often

was

and

moon,

about

stars

the

who

crescent

of the

and

Sultan

on

adoption

It

church

twelve

65

MYTHOLOGY.

the

Mary,

one.

CHBISTIAN

of

hammedan
Mo-

regarded by

horror

and

the

deadly

hatred.
The

ancient

whom

to

and

Chaldees

place

In

the

the

mother

the

they
of

both

saviors
to

son

goddess, occupies

Chinese

worship.

Tammuz

The

to

spicuous
con-

nians
Babylo-

goddess

is said

temples, and

have

worshiped

Krishna, and
of whom

in their

Christian

by halos.

celestial virgin-mother

have

called
arisen

dead.

India

Buddha,

in

in

erring sinner might appeal,

Assyrians worshiped

Mylitta, whose
from

the

the mother

Shin-moo,

and

believed

their

are

for

Maya,

ages

the

mother

represented with

arms.

madonnas,

portraitsare

Their
are

Devaki,
of

the infant

statues, similar
found

in

Hindu

always accompanied

66

THE

CHRISTIAN

MYTHOLOGY.

Sochiquetzal,mother
in Mexico
savior.

As

and

Roman

Diana

mother

of

classical
held

Ephesus

their

of

and

the

Juno,

crucified
and

Greek

Hera

worshiped

were

world,

while

similar

place in

shiped
wor-

chaste

the

women,

prototype,

ancient
of

Quetzalcoatl, was

heaven

of

protectress

her
the

by

the

as

queen

immaculate

of

the

virtuous

Phoenician

mythology.
All
heaven
or

ancient

the
and

her

less effect

the

on

church

influence

which

it, just

dogma.

; but

it

into

Rome

the
and

Jesus,

centuries

Many

goddess
the
as

to

of

the chaste
it
these

and

two

Mary

it added
the

And

patroness

goddess
by

the

the

of

at

Greek
under

Rome

protectress
of the

of

Ethiopians.

especiallyregarded

was

the mother
of

chastityas

of

women.

offered

worship

Christian

attributes
of

troductio
its in-

adopted

as

worship

combination

the

black

as

she

worship

been

instituted

that

the

the

of

with

of

troduced
in-

was

representations of Mary

immaculate

deities

into the
which

and

trinitarian

early days

since

are

been

in the

adoption

Horus

images

before, the

Juno,

the

was

they

had

Hera

name

And

albeit

the

to

the

have

ancient

as

in the

Isis and

basalt

which

more

undoubtedly Egyptian

during

those

had

virgin worship

regard

of

of

queen

probably

readilyaccepted.

was

Christians

virgin

powerful

in

was

worship

child

her

of

was

most

The

came

and

it

the

child

growth

was

as

and

empire

in

miraculous

Christian

of

beliefs

church

of

Diana,
well

as

densed
con-

Jesus, to
making
fruitful-

CHRISTIAN

THE

the

Dante's

In

ness!

The

the

pagan

worship

of

the

mother

of

council

of

god,

and

royalty

and

the

crowned

in

upon

his

of

the

mitigate
the

the

at

date,

insignia

beautiful

most

of

and

beauty.
legend that

the
heaven

son

and

bidden

to

that

she

might plead

be

peror
Em-

lowly Jewish

into

of

the
that

bodily

judgment

general

by

all the

the

the

iheotokos,

find this

we

of

punishments

holy trinity might

ItaHans.

rose

her

right hand

the

Mary

ascended

by

Lucina

called

in

classical

adoration

there

that

time,

delineated

of

Juno

of
as

was

invoke

to

431, and, after

portrayed

she, too, had

to

virgin

in

present

patrician type
With

II

girl

peasant

as

ancestors

which

Ephesus,

the

to

up

just

promulgated

was

Theodosius

customary

was

childbirth

at

by

invoked

was

it

day

Virgin Mary

67

MYTHOLOGY.

and

sit

eternally
with

sinners, thus

this second

fallible,or

him

ing
allow-

member
at

was

of

least

the
to

open

influence.

the

natural

grant

to

in
in

the

and

office

the

1494

it and

Sextus
it the

July, 1615,

commemorating

Virgin worship
flourish, and

even

go

so

has
late

century

the

Fourth

solemn
Paul
her

the

This

and

idea

and

was

steadily

recognized
officially

sanction
Fifth

to

1854, Pius

of

the

instituted

immaculate

continued
as

height,

step farther

origin.

eleventh

gave

in

to

was

this immense

to

immaculate

also

her

until

church,

virgin

sequence

first noticed
grew

the

raised

Having

tion.
concepgrow

the

and
Ninth

68
issued

bull

Christ

is not,

honor

of saints who

about

the

pontiff

Roman
due

their

and

whimsical

to

should

but

remarkable;

so

conferred

been

mother

Helena
and

Thomas

That

replace

the

of

the

which

in
to

of

the

ungrateful
the

say

least.

Spirits.

The

of

compliance

pagan

the

temple

it is

saints

of

appeared in

clared
de-

were

to

whom
often

Sebona,

replaced the figure of

temple, which

with

and

"

At

tiquity
an-

into

statues

canonized

to

deities

unhesitatinglygiven

were

ridiculously.

lemagne;
Char-

demi-gods

Ancient

newly

Nubia, the Christians

god

warlike

perfectlywell known,

ways.

represent

attributes

pagan
most

many

unknown

Evil

and

converted

is

have

should

originallycreated

was

heroes

church

is not

peerage

and

and

doubted.

be

heroes

Christian
shown

Good

and

to

strange

seems

of saints

cannot

fathers

almost

ambitious

this army

body

his

the

"

all the

wicked, unscrupulous, and

powerful

Saints

The

the

often

has

honor

the

on

Becket,

"

on

of

That

holy

such

and

Constantine,

vicious

X.

the

on

this

to

that

immortal

Christian

early

mense
im-

an

decree

reasoning.

raised

been

have

by

that

positionsof

canonization

and

apostles, martyrs,

is

These

throne.

created

are

There

also occupy

heavenly

beings

intercessor

only

his God.

and

man

faithful.

the

horde

semi-human

been

the

and

however,

between

stands

the "Mediatrix"

officially
declaring Mary

between

Mary

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

in

the old

fresco, by

PALLIUM.

THE

The
and

the

idea

symbolism
nun

which
ansata

crux

of

of

the

that

conforms

creative

is

to
too

parts

of

part

plain
and

the

the

dress

of

need

of

birth

explanation.
is

priest

portion

superimposed
to

the

involved.

of
The

70

CHBISTIAN

THE

acted

attempted

Much

the

turn

to

akin

and

wrath

similar

to

shirts

of

in

beings combine

the

belong

to

as

to

sirens,and

are

to

and

the

receive

the

apsaras

and

in

arose

the

earlier

of both

virtues

figure
that

This

in

has

the
no

such

gloomy
or

mischievous

of mankind.
a

years

copal
Episures,
creat-

masculinity,

they

were

tially
essen-

that

was

they

characteristic

the

classical

The

grotesque

of

the

dead

any

of

propensitiesof
no

designs

medieval

compound

faiths.

ancient

religioussystems

deity without

having

another

however,

one,

"

in the

counterpart

The

austere

devil, and

of

Moslem
few

their

mythology

conception, their king


and

over

souls

angels stands

saints and

Christian

actual

is Satan.

in many

sexes.

both

from

Apart

tonic
Teu-

York

idea

entirely sexless, combining

the

unearthly

that

gallantlyasserted

others

New

of these

sex

of the

hovered

family.

same

are

valkyries who

northern

Hindu

the

feminine, but

was

of

plumage

The

wings

voices

strenuously advocating

some

were

ment
punish-

mortal,

the

sweet

famous

bitter controversy
circles

no

the

swan

falling heroes.

while

the

been

having

never

battlefields

Scandinavian

and

and

Osiris

judge

saints, though differing from

the classical

and

elves

ago

his

with

victories

Roman

houris

aside

These

angels.

wore

stern

the

to

in form

ways

the

sins.

of

them

with

mediators

as

MYTHOLOGY.

the

upon

conception of
of

being
the

more

the

elements

had
a

cious
maliern
mod-

welfare
the devil
derived

THE

from

CHBISTIAN

all the

superseded.

From

goat-like body,
lameness

beard

the

his

That

much

is built
for
of

whole

savior

man

never

Had

man

the

in

"Moeurs
He

Faith.
life is

is

that of

speech,

which

issued

mouth

of

the

could

never

have

him, the
but

be

preface

Devil

to

one

the
to

the

taken

cross

"Les

most
an

man's
the

need

of

Hauts

savior.

have

than

that

in

his

pillarof
whose

church, and
so

good

out
with-

triumphantly
fall of

the

of

in

published
chief

Thus,

lief
be-

by

personages

out

Phenomenes

Had

never

forth

ridiculous
to

fall from

necessity of

is the

the

kind,
man-

devil.

if it

Crucified, the

insult

necessity

Mousseaux,

grand

place.

denied,

sins of

the

serpent,

Savior, the
the

the

Demons,"

the

from

and

the

was

plainly set

'The

closelyallied

his

no

of

He

be

upon

of

were

Christianity

cannot

for

writer, des

says:

of

upon

Pratiques des

et

1852.

Satan

atones

as

Neptune.

tempted, he would

more

orthodox

most

of

fabric

is based

words

no

his red

thunderbolts; while

machinations

been

never

tion
in imita-

; and

trident

consequent

in the devil

would

in

fallen, there

fallen, and

for

belief

were

through

grace

the

absurd

death

his

hoofs;

lightning god Thor,

over

theology

gets his

he

heaven,

Vulcan

the

the

whose

which

Roman

the converted

upon

the

the
from

of

Christianity

cloven

and

his fall from

power

pitchfork is

which

sylvan deity Pan

horns

to

taken

also

his

his

fall of

was

was

the

due

was

of

mythologies

pagan

71

MYTHOLOGY.

man

not

were

Redeemer,

ries
supernumera-

sense

de

!"
la

In his

Magie,"

72

CHRISTIAN

THE

Mousseaux

des

bid

if

lost

we

then

from

there

for

we

be

no

could

what

would

there

that

that

be

the

the

of

the

of

by

to

and

recognized

the

did

the

this

of

this

the

of

power

destroyed

the

burning

likewise, and
the

the

the

nature,

era

and

millions

this crime

crime;

Puritans

persecution.

in

suffer
church

Roman

witches; the

of

cause

some

shalt not

"Thou

the

tortures

superstitionand

for

(Ex. xxii, 18). The

punished

innocence

of

Christian

the

the

was

witchcraft

in

save

command,

England delighted in

devil

While

accused

been

the

to live"

of

of

Christendom

of

ecclesiastical

as

ignorance. During
have

of

seen.

foundation

no

persons

witch

of

prince

Inquisitionhad

the

those

of

had

conformity

god

persecution

ever

well

politicalas

gross

has

heretics

sorcery

redeem

prince

*the

belief

power

awful

most

world

houndings

of

absolute

almost
of

for,

(Eph. ii,2).

universally accepted

cause

that

"the

us?

save

Christianity."

"the

as

(Cor. iv, 4)

in the

Savior

more

no

world"

and

Savior

our

Redeemer

(John xii, 31; xvi, 11);

The

And
.

Redeemer;

world"

would

lose

more

Satan

evidently regards

of the air"

thus

gels
an-

here.

did

whom

have

rebellious

would

we

would

or

Hence,

He

would

we

all the

down

demons,

our

whom

us?

to

and

magic

likewise; for, from


And

chimeras,

farewell

demons

more

no

"If

theory:

troubling the world;

now

have

but

both

eternal

an

this

repeats

spiritualismwere
to

MYTHOLOGY.

Luther
Scotch
of

proved
apformers
re-

New

THE

While

orthodox
religiously

of

scripturalmiracles

and

cast

never

heroes, these

people accept the


with

doubt

long

so

73

MYTHOLOGY.

all

narrative
faith

CHBISTIAN

the

on

they

as

unquestioning

probabili
greatest im-

told

are

biblical

of

people assign all the

very

seeming

supernatural affairs of post-scripturaltimes


devil.

Psychical phenomena

thousand

two

years

of Lazarus

Magdalene), they
brand

as

placed

before

Witches
deaths

by

and

wizards

the

medieval

their adoration
smile

and

condemn

in

believe

to

ancient
This

holy

Hebrew

the

of

By

placing

Satan

him

eternal

the

equal, if

for

Christians

fortune

heretics

the

onized
can-

offices

modern

tellers,but

those

who

foreseeing powers

even

it

Judaism during

and

good
in

of

be

can

the

fuse
re-

the

recognition of

him

him

Christians

superior, to

the

evil, seemingly coequal.

endowing

allowing

called

Babylonian

opposition to God,

plans of God,
not

church

same

instituted

originallya

life,and

and

as

performing

devil-worship,for

was

powers

powers,

and

horror

little else,crept into

dual

the

horrible

to

prophets.

Christian

captivity,and

which

worship ; and

in

Satan, when

or

for

derisively at

sneer

the

to

hesitation, they

condemned

church

saints

and

urrection
res-

professed Spiritualist.

a
were

for

acts

departed

without
delusion

by

the

as

the materialization

accept

them

identical

very

and

trickery or

which, if performed

by Jesus (such

ago

the

to

the

with

to

in

miraculous

upset and

have

Deity.

giving

made
A

quish
van-

Satan
Puritan

74

THE

the

that

these

The

interfere

than

other

if

powers,
not

Satan

so

if not

ever,

Pious

in agony.

devilish
dark

and

belief

and

it appears

shameful

period

ones,

rampant

was

and

vanquished

was

in the

surely

set

and

force

paths
they

in the

have

Never

no

faith.

of
that

that

the
God
lief
be-

was

and

evil
it

than

have

in

more
in

was

bigoted

of

salvation

Today,

into

instead

to

and

which
of

merable
innu-

pew

Satan

wrong

from

more

grown

pulpit and

power

erring humanity

in miraculous

lieve
be-

Parrish.

all churchmen

believers

tures
tor-

of

harsh, cruel, and

still find both

liberal,we

and

such

by

to

that

majority

Persia

as

doubt

no

history

our

in

while

Today,

ceased

forth

ancient

But

writhe

had

ruled.

Satan

work

magical

all students

the

man.

powerful

them

principlesof good

Mather

priests as

of

no

miraculous

make

dual

England

New

to

had

he
to

among

ceased

inflict

Mather

miracles, but

divine

in

Cotton

that
of

as

and

divinely elect

With

suspended.

was

could

He

cles
mira-

past.

His

least

at

uted
attrib-

be

idea

stant
in-

an

benefit

had

agencies.

so.

more

the

archfiend

that

"

the
the

God

lost, were

God's

on

for

century

natural

not

for

perform

of

came

Satan's

in

him

to

matter

Reformation

In the seventeenth

by

of God
a

now,

God

did

faith
to

ting
admit-

was

happenings might

power

as

Protestant

longer

his

occurred

never

curious

then,

was

the

it

God.

to

England

New

plainest manner

though

power,

in

witches

bigot hanging
in

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

tempt
sinful

by

God

earthly and

76

of the

counts

In

such

with

with
erotic

and

others

condemned

were

swearing

women

incubi

have

convenient

their

of

it

found

of women,

loves, after

for

disposing

had

passed, by declaring them


contracted

had

who

these

sufferingsto
the

of

together
and

conformity

owing
the

nuns,

who

In

sorts

by possession
at

the

taken
of

the

by

of

the

crime

of

ordinance

sexual

vents,
con-

led

lives

and

times

rages

these
to

which

magicians,

and

unscrupulous
sorcery,

to

and

by

don
aban-

or

debauchery

demons,

of

desires

prevalent in

supposed

of

orders

of

of

asceticism

truly chaste

former

were

women

enemies

verted
per-

of

been

have

tormented

advantage
their

accuse

thus

cause

execution.

their
One
was

remain

lubricities.

often

was

either
all

demented

them

unnatural

to

themselves

caused

the

to

the

to

case

often

natural

of

is also

celibacy. Nymphomania

their

the

were

excessive

to

suppression

faithful

too

the

with

In

the succubce

purely hallucinary origin,due

monks,

diseases, laid

fair demons.

however,

monks,

infatuation

the

succubce; and

venereal
same

method

convenient

for

excuse

fallingunder

explaining illicitimpregnations. Men,


the charms

tercourse
in-

hallucinations, while

it

found

had

have

to

merely suffering from

were

nymphomaniac

may

held

had

as

demons.

these

cases,

many

sition,"
Holy Inqui-

by "the

trials held

many

in which
intercourse

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

of the most

that

of Loudin

famous
in

of these

horrible

Poitiers, where

the

affairs
nuns

of

the

Ursuline

demented,

Grandier,

lieutenants,

managed

final

of

burning

Later, it

to

denied

his
of

and

scorned!

brooding
gave

such

the

of

rid themselves

fond

envied

rival

prieststo

The

convulsions,
writhings, gesticulations,
unfortunate

these

of their actions

(caused merely by
were

believed

notoriety thus

and

themselves
resist the

temptation

seeing

gained by

the

these

simulate

decency
inorcists
ex-

male),

the

of

tion
atten-

though
sisters,al-

dementia, could

from

those horrible

arose

the

seventeenth

to

etc., of

demonstrations

nuns,

by

and

its forms

not

thus

for themselves.

acquire renown
occupied

free

of

approach

it

of the

approach

to be

possession. Other

demonic

Thus

the

vulgar

the

by

the

on

their

enemy.

with

combined

women,

hopes,

of

taken

an

their

woman

possessionto
be

mity
en-

constantly

their

to

tractive,
at-

never

women,

could

advantage

like

fury

no

of demonic

character

that

neurosis

hath

disappointment

over

who

incurred

had

libidinous

These

1632.

in

man

by entirelyignoring

nuns

hell

and

that, being personally

amours,

the Loudin

the

among

gallant,Grandier,

and

numerous

advances;

unfortunate

the

handsome

cure

the arrest, torture,

secure

discovered

was

the

of

despite

sensible civil

bailiff and

enemies

some

Urbain

by

church, and

local

rational

of the

the attempts

exorcists

the

priestof

afflicted

themselves

and

hysterical

becoming

convent,
swore

77

MYTHOLOGY.

CHKISTIAN

THE

attention

century and

of

demonical
all

seemed

Europe
to

scenes

which

during

point to

the

the pos-

78

THE

session

of

CHRISTIAN

MYTHOLOGY.

all convents
other

alone, for

devils.

by

same

took

demonic

the

spread

character

in

be in any

to

of

who

Europe

demon,

of

was

enemies.

their

very

wearied
the

its

at

Executions
number

people

the

Dr.

ready

to

masses

some

with
this

reason

of

powerful

the

removal
until

the

nuns

the

matter,

du

possessions

for their

least,

at

Merveilleux,"
as

entirelydue

of vengeance.

One

"L'appareil deploye
leurs
lieu

des

page

endormir

jeunes fiUes

ory,
the-

tized
hypno-

for purposes
I he

says

exorcistes,leurs adjurations,

que

et

nos

leurs

nerveuses,

and

of volume

gestes imposants

manipulations

ploient pour

234
les

par

themselves

glory

own

of

more.

"Histoire

exorcists

the

accession

hypnotism, and, ignoring the nymphomaniac


that

norant
ig-

an

abolition,when
the

once

of
gician.
ma-

continued

for their

in

his

Figuier, in

asserts

des

of

for

sorcery

and

opened

explains these demonical


to

power

barbarity palled, and

Protestantism,

swayed

in the

slave

disposal

for

and

were

Reformation

power.

character

unscrupulous priesthood,
placed

teria,
hys-

to

of any

thus, through the influence

and

engine

the

was

that

seems

tendencies

as

and

unfortunate

so

dementia

regarded

in turn

which
And

be

to

came

notoriety,

possessed

was

afflicted with

way

neurosis, idiocy,or
whatever,

for

rage

vents
con-

without

vulgar superstition until it

woman

every
as

the

not

hysterical women,

the walls, possessed of the


up

And

forcenes, tenaient

magnetiseurs

sujets. Operant

em-

sur

malades, melancoliques,

THE

CHRISTIAN

les exorcistes

79

MYTHOLOGY.

produisaient chez elles

phenomenes auxquels

donne

partie des

une

lieu le somnambulisms

artificiel."
The

engine
By

belief in evil

universal

its

for

the

all those

use

could

be

and,

furthermore,

only by

the

had

full power
but

demons,
this

was

annul

demonic

upon

strict adherence

gross

superstitiona

growth

and

Lecky:

"There

that had

spread

not, at

of darkness
for

the

cures,

and
of

one,

believers
from

one

the

orthodoxy

church.

Thus
factor

powerful

was

imposed

was

scarcely a village or
the

time, been
powers

regarded

were

was

in

the
to

church

of supernatural

scene

of

lightand

as

visiblystruggling

the

Saintly miracles, supernatural

while

order, attested

every

witchcraft

horrors,

were

and
the
Tens

other.
.

victims

of the

startlingjudgments, visions, prophecies,

their attendant
of the

Mary

Christianity.According

of

mastery.

prodigies of
the

be

water,

of

of the true

the

to

some

that

man

name

great premium

interposition.The
powers

the

preserve

most

was

devils,

of

all the machinations

To

the church

Holy

spite,absolute

thus

essential,and

church.

could

powers.

in the hands

only

erful
pow-

advanced

was

repetitionsof

to

to

church

the

the

comrades

as

theory
of

efficacious.
of

dangers

the

of

inimical

were

malevolent

the cross,

signs of

who

exorcisms

from

protected

advancement

of the way

out

put

became
spirits

perished by the

the

magic,

activity
with

all

visible manifestations
of

thousands

of

most

agonizing and

pro-

80

CHRISTIAN

THE

tracted

MYTHOLOGY.

without

torments,

excitingthe slightestcompassion.

Nations
.

that

position, by interests, and


question
evil

in the

lay

held

faith

united."

were

in

of

temptation

of

in

as

found

between

without

one

dry

can

pins

in

that

believe

can

his

to

Goody

that
air.

If

in

heaven

one

Jones

actually tempted by

the

incubi.

It

succubce

and

As

reasoning.
powers

develop

to

rode

as

soon

begins

to

doubt

can

believe

one

the

that

is all
a

that

in

of

matter

he

which

in

logical

intellectual
find

can

about

world
was

was

believe

Christian's

the

through

can

where

lieve
be-

can

Christ

the

one

Elijah

that

broomstick

dead,

by sticking

believe

devil,

point

place for the miraculous


he

some

fiery chariot, one

believe

can

conceive

believe

kill him

can

any

supernatural

from

Lazarus

one

by

can,

can

If

can

If

Bible

can

cow.

man

effigy.

wax

ascended

supernatural

woman

one

Jesus actually raised

one

the

about

woven

semen,

up

One

powers.

in the

of

believe

with

faith

imagination, believe

the

of

can

contact

woman

that

potent

covers

tale that is

If

agency.

old

the

the

and

stepping-stonesto

but

the

Jesus, the

of

conception,

but

invisible

in

agency

temptations

Christ, were

preposterous

"

supernatural

miraculous

slightstretch

all this

Christianity ^the

of

conscientiouslybelieve

can

but

the

the

innumerable

who

the

Eve, the

possibilityof
miracles

this

on

of

germ

by-

supernatural agencies.

belief

The

character,

the

foundation

very

in

by

And

separated

were

in

the

no

him,
world

THE

CHBISTIAN

before

him;

either

places

them,

but, regarding theologicaltales, he

can

sour

he

does

in

And

with

for

when

has

line

long

stopped

never

birth

that

it took

with

the

scarlet

Feasts, fasts

important

and

For,

customs,

firmly

part

greater

parts
into

of
one

the

of

have

his

lieve
beand

faith

and

of the

been

he
pure

virgin
such

adorned

ceremonials
ancient

most

of

them

to

in

immediately

paganism

was

world

were

worships,

find

somewhat

the

Christian

Christianity

implanted

civilized

strong

does

people believed

wandered

religious
them

gave

accepted them,

and

he

ment
state-

lightof

dogma

would

wherever

it

the

by

therefore, strange

church.

and

it

when

of the

adaptations

found

believe

similar

inherited

elaborate

modified

and

nant
preg-

not

But

not

letter.

features

it is not,

was

ancestors,

for the

Mary

would

did
a

him

"holy mystery,"

has

consider

evil eye

taught

she

He

orthodox

root

things, otherwise

him

and

woman

the

he

ago.

it is

It is fortunate

reason.

and

to

told

He

of

old

reason

years

category.

an

by

she made

because

crawls

has

child.

few

Mary,

is in another
a

same

miraculous

in Boston

child

ignores'

or

he

That

reason

if she

Josephine Woodbury

from

for

the

daughter
a

it of

them, when

kill his

or

believe,

not

category

mysteries."

his milk

his

another

with

"sacred

otherwise.
believe

them
faced

unless

calls them

81

MYTHOLOGY.

until

nificati
sig-

new

finally the

gathered
and

theories

from

all

amalgamated

theological organization.

Find-

THE

JUDGING
the

Christian

represented

upon

Like
^

IS

and
the

ascension

time

were

known

in

the

demi-god,
his

judgment

celebrated
Christian

DEAD.

Egyptian
His

seat.

in

countries

early
as

spring,
Easter.

deity

Osiris

resurrection
at

about

82

CHRISTIAN

THE

in

ing

almost

of

natal

Buddha

all said

were

festivals

make

adopted
manner

XI.

and

of Odin
born

been

feast

Maccabees

feast

part

was

of the

during which
before

Eites.

the

time
of

of

Frey,
to

25th

December,

is in memory

of the

the

the
son

have

Jews, likewise, have


of

over

same

It

Greeks.

which

victory
is called

of Hanuca.

great

lamps,"

and

and

yule-

supposed

The

the

on

the

and

was

this time.

beginning

the

the

at

eight days,

lasts

who

Frigga,

ple
peo-

custom

German

in honor

festival

Scandinavian

great

ligious
re-

sun-god.

also

was

the

much

Holidays

solstice

winter

greatest

friends

ancient

the

this

garlands

in

the

of

Eeligious

"

The

of

honor

in

log, burned

and

and

on

which

with

houses

that

was

as

born

of the

one

Christians

the

by

of

relatives

to

presents

the

as

Adonis

been

India, during

of

their

decorate

fathers

Bacchus,
have

to

date

it is the

day, and

Christian
December

of

Osiris, Horus,

Mithras,

heaven,

Christ.

their

of

day

25th

the

adopt

to

of

queen

the

the

at

ment
accouche-

the

of

sun-god,

of the

the birth

of

festival

celestial, virgin

the

decided

nation

every

solstice, in commemoration

winter

and

MYTHOLOGY.

the

festival, called

annual
held
year

by the
in

lamps
houses.

Egyptians

honor
of

oil

This

the

of
were

the

in

"feast
the

goddess
burned

festival

was

all

of

early
Neith,

night

renamed

THE

Candlemas
and

the

or

"purification

adopted by

was

The

ancient

week's

and

the

of meat,

because

followed.

In

Saxon

the
"

as

period.

the

spring

beloved

Adonis,
This

worship

whence

of

it traveled

Grecian

into

celebrated

at

until
when
The

myth

the

of Adonis

seen.

by

the

Rome

readily
at

Easter

held

there

ago.

This

assertion

are

at

the

time

Astarte.

it

the

Greece,

the
It

majority
annually

was

of

the

fourth

significance was
is too
its

but
the

well

parallel

The

the

later

was

cradle
of

tianity,
Chris-

now

slightly different

same

time

Christian

of

year

explained
fathers

it.

need

to

that

ceremonies

tury,
cen-

given

known
to

of

glorious

into

theories.

part

lenten
custom

the

with

the

as

goddess

similaritywas
of

name

the

was

at

of

Eostre

or

their

of

where

Christian

in honor

of

introduced

latter

Christ

those

great

Alexandria,

and

in Rome

the

Egypt,

repetition here,
is

honor

mythological

introduced

farewell

Christians

it

in

to

sports

whose

"

festival

later

was

her

end

Syrians

equinox

of

Ostara,

the

the

elaborate

an

held

or

by
to

the

Among

celebrate

to

of

applied

began

taking

or

was

call

to

Easter

as

be

to

name

Hertha,

prefer

may

which

nually
an-

forty days immediately

this

Germany

adopted

was

fast of

Europe

all kinds

carne-vale,

goddess

you

in

indulgence

called

was

of

festival

spring

virgin,"

church.

inhabitants

the

of

Christian

the

pagan

celebrated
with

83

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

of

the
held
from
turies
cen-

away

"that

84:

CHRISTIAN

THE

long

time

the

before

there

had

devil

worshipers"

"

pleasure

ceremonies

their

have

to

copied

and

simple

very

ence,
in exist-

Christians

were

taken

and

mysteries

future

MYTHOLOGY.

his

by

satisfactory

planation
ex-

!
That

is in

Easter
honor

in

the

from

that

fact

but

takes

place

full

moon

after

which,

it

is

none

more

familiar

to

from

meat.

and

the

that

on

charming

all the

"finny tribe"

were

diet

for

goddess

proper

equinox,

March

21.

fasts

of

pagan

all than

the

ly
week-

Under

nothing

sacred

the

sacred

was

fish, as

but

her, and

to

old

worshipers

devout

those

first

sidered
con-

that

worshiped

assumed

the

at

shrine.

When

the

dignity

also

assumed

pontifex

head

of

physical

people

and

the
the

of

had

forth
done.

the
a

He

and

many

to

be

considered

the

himself

tributes
at-

geous
gor-

high priest
as

the
the

the

of

be kissed,

he

ancient

to

adopted

ancient

foot

the

between

He

emperors.

of

supposed

communication

power

church,

western

was

deities),

vestments

stretched

the

prerogatives

(who

direct

gabalus

of

all the

maximus

of

of Rome

Bishop

and

even

ate

date,

the

vernal

veneris,

day the

of this

her

dies

after

at

Christian

Friday,

mythology,

of the

is fixed

many

settled

no

Sunday

first

tival
fes-

conclusive

seems

on

passing

abstinence

Venus,

occurs

the

on

the

the

Friday

to

sun-god

convenience,

for

Among
origin

the

of

astronomical

reality an

and

Heliocapa-

ble

of

such

raising

he

as

by canonization, just

raised

altars

as

The

deity.
the

dispensing

he

will.
the

of

The

those

probably

and

rite of

to

the

purification

ancient
were

Rivers,

one.

at

early

an

and

every

permeated

with

were

believed

contamination.
well

date

water

dwelling

in

Mongolia

and

priests, who

sin
as

to

The

are

India
Thibet
immerse

by

from

church

confession

and

the

ideas

be

of
with

is

sacred

its

all mortal
and

acter,
char-

the

in

religious
are

waters

Jordan

every

In

purposes.

named
water

are

of

vases

almost

holy

be

to

guilt and

faith, and

in

most

purification,

and

children

refer

supposed

was

found

them

which

water,

of this

for

surname

Christian

essence

Ganges

to

sides
re-

ment
depart-

the

sources

divine

cleanse

the

all ideas

river

great

who

transubstantiation.

invested

examples

known

Ganges

of

soever
whom-

on

associated

like

baptism,

the

Master."

the

are

purification,prayer
The

bears

of

the

has

pope

in

baptism,

of
which

with

communion,

"Heavenly

rites

known

best

and

has

who

is called

and

Chang

of

is considered

mountain,

Lung-hu

viceroy

blessings

also

Taoism

pontiff

Buddha

divine

earth, just

Roman

Thibet

of

Kwang-hsi,

of

of

position

lama

grand

of

on

of

his

the

claimed

he

of the

But

representative

power

are

monarch

in

unique

is not

every

done.

had

emperors

favorites, and

had

also

they

as

over

the

as

their

to

semi-divine

fit to

saw

honors

precedence

85

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

by

the

while

86

reading

prescribed

regeneration

of

such

course,

he

him;

bath, and, if

my

memory

still,in this

rite

he

him

tween
be-

and

faithful

are

me

serves

soldiers

his

the

from

sins

of

of

some,

Mithras

of

signs

means

baptisms, naively

expiation

promises

the

similarity

"baptizes

in

into

of sins.

pagan

believe

as

name

and

the

be

to

great

devil

the

that

remarked

the

and

Christian

the

held

of remission

and

Isis

Egyptian

was

noticing

TertuUian,

to

and

Mithras,

Persian

the

the

initiation

preceded

of both

mysteries

after which

prayer,

Baptism

is bestowed.
the

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

their

on

foreheads."
akin

Much

church

Christian
is

ascribed

little

did

lustral

their

from

first

temples,

Roman

the

in

that

sprinkling

used

with

which

their

threw

congregations,

modern
or

they

priests use

sprinkled

mistletoe

had

upon,

been

the
the

with

it ; and

called

the

the
in

or

the
out

priests

aspersorium
water
manner

The

worshipers

and

the

same

hyssop.

immersed

in

purifying

the

water

of

entrance

passing

those

brush

lustral

for

of

use

inherited

had

the

at

might sprinkle themselves

condone,

general

very

Romans

vases

which

ably
pontiff prob-

This

ancestors;

pagan

always kept

was

the

the

First, who

officiallyto

than

more

by

use

water,

the

century.

which

water,

holy

Alexander

papal sanction,

his

by

the

general

so-called

of

Pope

to

during

ruled

is the

baptism

to

druids

water

over
as

gave,

in which

steeped.

THE

Similar
is that
The

CHRISTIAN

the

to

idea

crime
In

criminality.

be

to

that

the

also, that

over

the

their

sins

their

to

charged
criminals

with
and

hearing
with

form

of

practices, is

eminently

an

Assyrians, Babylonians,
and

sacrifices

them,

and

verbal

on

the

to

Greeks,

of their

his

instead

god,

expressions

the
of

rehearsed

At

sun.

priest

of

tion.
absolu-

deity

is

in

the

religious

custom.

The

Romans,

sians,
Per-

to

offered

propitiate

offerings

presenting

contrite

pecially
es-

confession

gods

devout

was

them

of

the

confessions

peoples

these
of

confessed

other

most

ancient

altars

sacrifice

exception

the

pagan

accompanied
Today,

prayers.

viands

other

most

the

supreme

like

sion
confes-

committed,

be

granting

the

which,

prayer,

sin

Christians

directly to

the

of

the

clared
de-

its institution

Peruvians

mysteries

Protestant

made

of

to

had

Jews

might

confessed

Samothracian

often

the

priests with

of its
navian
Scandi-

slayer

of the

The

ration
decla-

general, murder

purpose

crime

the

the

the

expiation

scapegoat.

Among

in

when

prayer.

conscience

among

peoples

every

Incas, who

great

the

priest might judge

the

for

and

is that

guilty. Among

and,

famous

confession

and

practiced, the

was

the

Iceland

crime

himself

required

purification by baptism

relieves

Teutonic

and

being

of

in confession

involved

of the

ceased

idea

purification by

of

87

MYTHOLOGY.

wines

Christian

spirit

or,

with
and

offers
more

88

THE

often, asks

this

and

The

expression

mediation.

great

created

of heaven

to

for

made

gods,

rather

Romanist

than

do

In

than

trivial
Belief
which

at

they

hesitate

the

whom

to

the

whose

lesser

Persians
and

and

for

; the

numerous

addressed
the

modern

martyrs,

shrines

bribes

Jesus

or

they place
but

favors;

the

supplicate

this

certainly less

talk

they

are

preme
su-

phemous
blas-

fellows, who

Protestant

familiarlyto

God

the

of

ferings
of-

almost

immediately

their

to

Zeus;

saints

Brahma

great
to

dressed
ad-

were

incarnations

apotheosized

Ormuzd;

to

are

God.

not

to

of

mother,
which

never

of

real ruler

supplications

supplication

kneels

his

or

the

from

too

addressed

mediators

to

boons

than

instead

Mithras

favors

various

rather

Greeks

being

as

lofty conception

Hindus,

the

Vishnu,

looked

was

be

to

of

idea

earth.

the
to

God

holy,

request

and

Among

own

estant
Prot-

of the

antiquity

too

this

in

deity, they prayed

of

of

sublime,

directly; and,

they

his

to

Lord, Jesus Christ,"

our

supreme

nations

most

too

great,

vises
ad-

or

orthodox

expression

concrete

The

by

upon

according

in modern

used

"through

the

merely

method,

begs,

disposition.

prayers,

is

demands,

He

favor.

through
nature

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

do
most

affairs.
in
owes

humanity,

the

efficacyof

its

origin

descended

to

is

prayer
a

an

absurdity

hereditary

through

long

trait

of

line

of

BACCHUS.
The

first miracle attributed to Jesus, that of changing


into wine, was
in imitation of this Roman
water
deity
the god of
Dionysus in Greek
as
mythology. Because
wine
brate
his disciplesdrank
Christians celeto his memory.
their savior in the wine of the sacrificial ceremony
of mass
and communion.
"

KRISHNA.
Otherwise

Christna, this Hindu

than 900 B. C,
of the Christ.

savior, at

anticipatedin his life much

date
of the
a

earlier

history

BUDDHIST

"TEMPTATION.

90

ness

well

of

sins

as

the

and

of

the

incurring
church

the

of

and

justice of God,
sinners

Communion,
of

is

however,

acquired

(by

character

of

the
which

eucharist

Christian

the

received

probably

school), who,
the

the

at

resurrection

which,

bread

flesh

drank
the

deities.

Osiris,

of

the

and, when
the
flesh
The

the
the

ate

by
god.

Ceres

as

the

In

devout

wine, they claimed


and

drinking

ancient

the

Mexicans

of

dogma

in

fore
bethe

by

Alexandrian
celebration

Christians

the

of

divine

centuries

whom

time

worshiped

was

Bacchus;

of

The

believed

was

have

these

becomes

many

through

consecration

after

the

and

it

that

reception.

(from

Egyptians

ancient

consecrated

of

consecration)

and

era

are

mode,

common

idea

instituted

was

all

to

communicant

the
their

partaker through
the

of

act

idea

an

practiced

more

the

drinks, with

and

foods

that

declare

common

consumption

the

by

been

The

varied.

and

numerous

immutable

deity, is

methods

the

religions; although

surd
ab-

not

by prayer?

the

has

and

antiquity

great

gressor's
trans-

it

time

with

union

or

Is
the

punishment

escape

may

the

without

same

law,

moral

or

preach

the

at

offered.

daily

are

penalty.

to

as

common,

material

broken

be

can

most

that

absurd,

breaking

law

no

the

perhaps

are

most

is the

Sin

MYTHOLOGY.

CHEISTIAN

THE

sacred

wafer,
clared
de-

priest, was
ancient
and
ate

they

of

Greece,
wine
the

as

bread

were

blood

of

used

bread

ing
eat-

their
of

been
the

to

the

to

the

surprise

and

eat

Spanish

missionaries, who

of their

holy

Most

anthropophagy.
have

peoples

the

gained

their

ate

this

same

that

established

by

god,

supernatural

Thus

the

early

found

World

which

and

the

"killed"

The

god

means

of

and

was

consecrated

people

These
in

manner

the

missionaries

each

god

hand

in the

broken

in

the

pieces
of

flesh

the

and

priest

communion

Mexico,

of
of

dough,

priest.

pieces which

ceremonies
.

were

bones
gave

who

New

festivals

in

made

was

Mexico.

and

May

of

the

of these

one

was

acquired.
to

in Peru

arrow

for

virtues.

flesh

be

might

as

savages

their

attain

consuming

then

"certain

brave,

further, the belief

of

an

Just

idea

annually

by

they

to

customs

statue

they

dead

deceased.

idoll."

because

become

described

occurred

wherein

semi-savage

foes

Christian

Acosta

Father

universal

of the

flesh

powers

such

probably

of

and

the

tiger to

eat

first

mockery

eucharist

period

the

of

qualities

courageous

Following

the

savage

by eating

Africans

some

it to

practiced cannibalism

that

believed

the

of

Satan.

to

the

in

back

far

occurred

horror

Eucharist.
of

origin

primal

QuetzalcoatI,

of

ascribed

The

"

given

priests, was

flesh

due

eucharist
XII

The

the

by
as

to

ing
after, hav-

blood, which,

consecrated

people

much

with

mixed

meal

corn

91

MYTHOLOGY.

CHRISTIAN

THE

by

blessed
of

this

"to

the

received

92
it with

in

some

and

The
est

so

attained

the

Guatemalan

words

of the

influence,
in the

to

tablet

Chinese

by

spiritof
is

supposed, by
the

cause

the

of the

mandarin,

the

departed,

presumed

take

to

eucharist,

of the

whom

official

it is dedicated,

residence

up

mind
re-

memorial

which

by
to

some

transub-

actual

dotting

the

ate

priest, "hoc

Roman
are

the

to

priests

celebration

forcibly of

one

the

istics,
character-

godlike

modern
which

meum,"

stantiation

an

eate

sacrifices

that

way

sacrificed.

magical

the

idea

of the

corpus

act

the

came

did

they

was

God."

of

bones

and

bodies

that

it

as

reverence,

thing, saying

Likewise

gods

feare, and

such

admirable
flesh

MYTHOLOGY.

CHEISTIAN

THE

the

in

abode.

new

As

logical deduction

any

Roman

She

conceived

may

his

so

this

priest performs

given hypothesis,
than

priest

is the

the

of

body

time

Every

he

virgin.

the

the

desires.

function

the

while

once,
create

mass

he

greater

but

God

whenever

Christ

is

priest

through

from

father

of

God.

However,
to

in

deprive

is to

make

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for
with

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it
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the

communion
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and

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wafer

as

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actual

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senseless

absorbing it,as
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believe

actual

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real

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ence
presmony.
cere-

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body, there

thus

unite

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selves
themBut

THE

the

CHRISTIAN

this

moment

its

nothing
in the

perpetuation
that

quibble
is

it is

fallacy.

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of that

(one

denomination

Emerson's

stand

in the

he

pulpit

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it, as

the
other

to

were

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theory

led

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imitation

altars, were
the

the

the

there

be

given

Greek

it

or-

in

the

on

the

during

supper
was

of

church

Latin

finally accepted

instituted

used

in

table

with
the

that
This

it and

latter

Christ
have

that

and

as

sacrificial

between
the

eucharis-

altars, which

Epaone,

oagan

century,

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of

this

the

service,

Savior.

of-imleavejied

use

argument

the

of

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torate
pas-

(the only

together

equal respect

blood

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connected

preferred

celebrate

considered

was

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rite.

reverence

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munion
com-

honorable

than

consecrated,

was

which

utensils

body

far that

so

which

his

he

of Boston

indefensible

carried

Jerome

on

and

churches

Ralph

when

filled)rather

ever

many

displayed), and

and

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rant
ar-

fine old

admire

remunerative

an

in

historical

matter,

Jesus

of

retained

proudly

The

it is

inherited

and

in the

relinquish his

to

is

is
old

have

only respect

can

in memory

that

than

churches.

churches

the

rite becomes

ridiculous

more

performed

plate which
one

is

Protestant

because

simply

rejected, the

Unitarian

absurdity
cases

is

dogma

futile,and

93

MYTHOLOGY.

no

leaven

94
dered

chosen

flow

should

hold

abnormal

modern

the

material

is

ideas

pagan

the

priests, living
while

has

Hinduism

the

who

priests passed
in

Christian

Gibbon
the

active
and

to

have

western

and

women.

the

Egypt,
a

and

in

life

so

the

bacy,
of celiwomen.

and

ascetics
and

nial
self-de-

mysteries;

the

the

of

Greeks

Egyptian

deserts

gaged
en-

caves.

Like

many

monastic

habit

ably
prob-

it

potent

empire,

useful

in

in

living

among

for

the

fasts ; and

customs,

had

into

novitiate

and

from

came

of

their

his

tonsured

the

required by

many

prayer

of

Fasting

initiation

taught

vows

asylums

fakirs.

desired
observed

Jews

other

its

observances

were

under

and

asceticism

and

its orders

has

also

cism.
asceti-

ancient

Buddha

ordained

an

that

was

ages

recognize

not

similar

are

to

rose

religion of

monasteries

there

Brahmanism

those

in

took

accompanying

are

tion.
absorp-

which

and

middle

its

does

there

blood

of

disciples a religion of abstinence, and,


Buddhists,

material

danger

of its system.

element

been

sacrifices, whose

scarcely

that

had

suitable

most

Christianity

with

times

an

of

during

power

There

as

the

upon

monasticism

of

as

ancient

of the

strong

which

it, without

over

Another

MYTHOLOGY.

stone,

execution

the

for

of

be

to

originally

CHRISTIAN

THE

considered

influence

that
many

was

on

it removed
able-bodied

by

the

fall

from
men

96

CHRISTIAN

THE

ings

cultivated

of

had

gods

show

men

worship

the

MYTHOLOGY.

and

clearly that
of

reverence

slight influence

but

for

ancestral

their

their

upon

turies
cen-

ethical

ideas.
Lucretius

(95-52

B.

the

C),

Epicurean doctrines, regarded


of

human

fear.

and

expounded

translated

(316

merus

B.

ancient

the

gods

myths

worship

mortem

Stoics

regarded

their

by
the

as

his

in

forever

them
mocked

likewise

accorded

Cicero

their

of

ethical

as

contact

with

alien

in the

minds

of

peoples of
Likewise

bringing

apotheoses
to

the

the

from
culous
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and, in
graded
de-

amours,

Horace

of

Roman

brought

religions,and
the

armies

their

had
the

more

less

or

emperors

degradation

among

their
of

gods

all the
return.

foreigners,

and

cal
theologi-

powerful

ancient

into

instilled

influence, while

gave

of the

soldiers

the germs

upon

native

the

the

spread

domains,

them

of

gods

the

models.

ever-increasing influx

with

systems,

Africa

Rome*s

the

The

them.

and

in Asia

freed

the

the

post

adopted

made

glorious military conquests

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that all

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mocking

Euhe-

personificationsof

Ovid

descriptions

lascivious

C.)

that

events,

were

nature.

while

all taint of matter,

B.

grateful subjects.

gods
of

ations
cre-

claimed

was

conception of the deity as mind

Platonic

arms

who

the

of

writings

historical

were

attributes

different

his

it

as

(239-169

the

originallykings

were

gods

Ennius

wherein

C),

the

the

of

exponent

faith.

the
petus
im-

THE

The
the

in

vulgar clung

cuhured

bent

CHRISTIAN

sneered

the knee

fertile

such

done

the

time

As

them

for

the

The

civilized world

in

and, without
their doctrines
the

among

Greek

merely

was

the

were

scattered

every

Jewish

the

all

"the

in

the

Moses, found
The

Jews,
upon

sect

new
as

the

it

faith

was

and

new

and

dead

was

vigorous.

under

one

erful
pow-

cord
politicaldis-

no

which

granted

lute
abso-

missionaries

Christian

province

one

to

people through

another

and

Judaism,
the

having

the

as

Roman

in order

religion,which
God

of

Jews

provinces,
which

its synagogue

visited

the

versal
uni-

were

Early Christianity

empire.

new

of

which

tongues,

through

name

rapidly

the media

settlement

their message,

cient
an-

the

missionaries

Christian

and

root

an

propagate

of

sect

of

molestation, could

the

throughout

ruins

then

and

Latin

and

proselyte; and

to

allowed

safety from
of

Rome

missionaries, would

old

which

fear

religionof

the

was

its borders

travel

They

faith,supported by sturdy,

religious freedom,

of

began

ripe for something

within

could

the

was

indomitable

government,

and

doing.

so

readily took

same.

shrines

they laughed mockingly

amid

other

and

was

the

at

ground,

Any

out.

conscientious
have

ancient

state

faith, the seed


spread

their

first Christians

the

on

to

public and

In such

private.

when

in

97

MYTHOLOGY.

to

was

preach
taken
under-

Abraham,

and

sphere already prepared for itself."

naturallywelcomed

was
a

purely

teachings

of

national
a

by

the Roman

religion,founded

Jewish peasant

for

the

98

THE

CHRISTIAN

MYTHOLOGY.

is

Jewish people.

There

which

Jesus

portrays

prophet

his

to

like

all ethical

all races,

he

and

it

own,

While

them

to

was

expressed

and

country

own

lands.

visit other

It

Judaism.
of

Christianity spread

his

forth

sending

In

46).

the

among

of

enter

by

but

(Matt.

V.

the
XV,

Israel

28).
when

lost

It

in

was

that he
it

And

so

was

gone

Man

be

over

come"

to

was

numbered

his

the

to

his

x,

23).

the

sent

not

am

of

house

Israel"

he

that

spoke
(Matt.

(Matt,

twelve

tribes

v,

of

apostles (Matt, xix,


he

thought
shall

resurrection, "Ye

cities of

way

appealed

compatriots that

of his

(Matt

When

light of the world"

reference

the

the

sheep of

lost

Jews

his

Samaritans

said, "I

the
the

into

the salt of the earth"

are

prophesying

have

of

sheep

the

are

he

obedience
dis-

preach

the

5-6).

x,

separated
direct

to

not

the

to

sired,
de-

particular,that

city of

woman,

It

24).

"Ye

13).

14).

(Matt,

said, "Ye

he

rather

go

the Canaanite

unto

when

But

Israel"

of

house
to

not

ye

to

gentiles (Acts xiv,

"Go

into any

gentiles,and

the

his

Jesus

the

apostles

mission, Jesus commanded,

was

of

been

in this

Paul

his

desire

as

to

to

preached,

nor

have

owing

was

trines,
doc-

only. He

wish

no

save

boundaries

never

and

Peter

he

it remained

Had

Christianitywould
from

peoples

for them
the

within

remain

to

than

applicable

that

alone

proclaiminghis messiahship
content

all

of

gospels

his moral

principles,are

ignorant

was

the

other

anything

as

nation.

own

in

nothing

Israel, till the


There

is

no

Son

not

of

thought

THE

of

CHRISTIAN

universal

sacrifice

for

his

Titus, he

writes

to

purify

unto

in all this.

mission

were

99

MYTHOLOGY.

nation, and,

own

himself

"gave

himself

mission

His

that

and
Paul

as

he

might

peculiar people" (Tit. ii,

14).
Thinking probably of
messiahship would
bring

to

which

he

remark

Church

of Rome

31,000
less

hardly

Netherlands

Holy

whole

each

other

orthodox

reign of

the

confirmed

in

executed

were

all the

the

bering
inhabitants,numas

heretics,and

the decree

history

ordered

and

in
Christianity,

of
and

smells

divided
as

and

among

heretics.

Arian, then

against Islam,

heaven

to

all its
with

persecuted
themselves, persecuted

In the first centuries


or,

pagans

punishment

February 16, 1508,

on

forms, reeks with blood


carrion.

Europe"

execution.

its instant
The

than
kind,"
man-

among

to

3,000,000 of people, to death


Philip the Second

"The

Spain burned

During

50,000 heretics
and

in

the

blood

in

Office in

condemned

condemned

Office

existed

ever

290,000.

severe

the Fifth

Charles
the

and

34),

x,

innocent

more

Holy

persons

not

came

ii, 14).

in his "Rationalism

The

his

prophet than

(Luke

has shed

(vol.ii,p. 40).
over

men"

Lecky

says

which

his birth ''on earth peace,

at

institution that

other

any

(Matt,

truer

was

toward

will

good

sword"

that sang

heavenly host

Jesus said, "I

cause,

but

peace,

strife
political

the

Later

Christians

arose

came

followed

by

the
united

feuds

of

dom
Christen-

Protestant

822806

wars.

100
In

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burned

ecclesiastical

by
and

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this

which

delusion

ruling faction, forget


their

avenge

religion
The

old

has

to

one

in

flourish

in

that

Christ

the

their

wild
While

Rival

temples

proximity.

scale

turns,

become

and

gods

side

gospel is
one

one

another

their way,

on

most
were
flict
con-

Brahmins

mildly

who
of

believe

humanity,
and

love, peace,
to

the

without

Christians

of

to

other

No

of rival nations

for love

the

hasten

showing

and

But

cuted,
perse-

Christianity.

as

by side,

outstrip the

good

ferocity

beasts.
students

many

believe

purely mythical being, without


in the

and

calmly

sacrificed

was

will, vie with


of

the

ill feeling. Buddhists

or

that

among

history

another

phemous
blas-

charity is

only

meaning,

tory
his-

propagated by

Christian

religionswent

perfect toleration.
worshiped

its

bloody

heathen

indifferent

the

of

narration

sufferings in persecutions.
so

teenth
six-

the

whole

The

theories

crime.

instant

among

seventeenth

the

on.

long

is found

the

who,

secuted
per-

Catholics, Episcopalians,

so

degrading

violence, hypocrisy and


a

In

and

religion is

and

In

as

Episcopalians persecuted

persecuted

Quakers,

and

them

and, divided

Nonconformists.

Puritans

century

tated
devas-

; Protestants

another.

one

Anglican

and

tortured

tribunals

themselves, persecuted

Catholics

and

Catholics

executed

century

pillaged,and

murdered,
and

Protestants
heretics

MYTHOLOGY.

CHEISTIAN

THE

brains

of

that

actual

Jesus
existence

religiousChristians, I

see

no

was
save

rea-

THE

doubt

to

son

the time
him

that

of Herod.

and

such

messiahs

in

in

"King

of

the

appeared in India
who
called

was

proof

in God!
to

believe

thousand

followers

performing
well

road

of his power,
died.

was

belief
was

sorbed
ab-

"

came

months

ten

and

his

establishment

ten

cult seemed

when,

bitten

followers, after

His

and

him, baptizing and

"

was

ant
peas-

people

in

about

he

unharmed

numerous

cures

of

ancient

an

stantinople
Conthere

perfectly holy

and

god

title of
at

charmer

was

tury.
cen-

1829

as

serpents

were

to

the

late

become

miraculous

the

on

It

handle

1167,

in Persia

executed

was

serpent

Therefore,

Powar

the
peared
ap-

in

messiah

eight-year-oldson

had

one

in Arabia

So

Powar.

abilityto
that

and

wonderful

of
who

one

assumed

Sultan.
the

Marayum

the

1666

before

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were:

himself

Tzevi

in

Kings"

about

close of the twelfth

proclaimed

by

that

the

1199, Sabathai

have

may

come

him.

Jesus

to

at

rabbi

had

1138, ano.her

in Moravia
Eldavid

messiahs

succeeded

subsequent

one

Jewish

province of GaHlee

Such

have

in Persia

and

certain

101

MYTHOLOGY.

of the rebelHous

out

come

CHRISTIAN

by

fident
over-con-

and

serpent

vainly awaiting

his

resurrection, dispersed.
That

myth

Jesus'
is

the

by

simply

is

central

king

is

career

lost

in

encircling

proof that the original figure never

no

There
that

whole

plenty of
portion

named

because

historical evidence
of

Europe

Karl, and
a

great

cloud

we

do
of

was

isted.
ex-

to show

once

not

doubt

myths

has

ruled
this

been

102

THE

CHRISTIAN

about

gathered
more

than

once

lived

in

to

spring

the

he

must

necessarilyexist, sleeping

now

until
and

is the

modern

sustain

this

and
of

hypothesis

He

born

was

of

his

beautiful

dawn

execution, and

into

winter
refer

which

hell

solstice
to

I have

the

the

was
was

his

and

which

brilliant
and

pure

strugglewith

dispersed; his trial,


of

beginning
the

of

the

the

of

solar

winter;

three

resurrection

his

return

the

around

the

by

of

on

revolution

typical of

was

the

day

emblematic

at

early dawn
the

he

were

now

nations

may

have

shown
of

that among

antiquity,no

differed

in the

general idea of faith in


man

the

an

as

days

and

cension
as-

after

sun

its

extinction.

seeming

they

temptation

death

he
To

sun-god.

announced

crucifixion

descent

on

virgin mother

his

and

that

is offered

career

apparent

was

clouds

adverse

the

was

death

hold

Others

December,

sun's

star;

of

Christ

terpretat
following allegoricalin-

supposed

morning

and

the

of his

earth; his birth

the

the

typify the

vegetation.

the

commences

of

that

resurrection

twenty-fifth day

his

assert

him

fatherland.

phase of the eternal

explanation.

decline

German

he

for

necessary

the

save

that because

personificationof vegetable life,claiming

revivification

the

believe

it shall be

students

of

that his death

the

any

to

forth

the

Charlemagne,

feel bound

set

merely

St.

of

name

we

mountain,

One

MYTHOLOGY.

and

the

supreme

the great
matter

as

to

details,all held

savior-mediator

deity.

majority

Some

such

how
one

between
medium

BIBLIOGKAPHY.

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of

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lated
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George

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His-

INDEX.

INDEX.

Loudin

16.

nuns,

8, 17, 21,
91.
47,
66,
41, 42,

Quetzalcoatl,

96.

Lucretius,
Lustral

water,

Luther,

72.

86.

64.

Mariolatry,

74.

Mather,

62,

82,

86,

88.

47.

Mohammed,

71,

12.

65.

Socrates,

82.

62,

82.

Orr,

18, 28,

Osiris,

61, 70,

82,

41, 42, 45, 59,


90.

75.

65.

Temptation,
Thomas

Thor,

23,

20.

Becket,
62,

Tri-murti,

83.

Ostara,

68.

71.

61.
60.

Trinity,

96.

Ovid,

Vespasian,
71.

Pan,

Virgin
74.

Parrish,
Paul,

44,

98.

Paul

V,

67.

Lombard,

Peter

Pilate,
Pius

17.

96.

Tammuz,

13.

66.

Bethlehem,

Succubae,

46, 62, 88.

Ormuzd,

Innocents,

18.

of

Stoics,
71.

Neptune,

the

of

Sochiquetzal,
Star

Odin,

61.

19.

Mousseaux,

Neith,

65.

Shin-moo,

Slaughter

48.

61.

IV,

Siva,

94.

Monasticism,

20,

48.

58, 70.

Sextus

18,

Mithras,

Mylitta,

37.

68.

Satan,

47.

Miracles,

des

25.

Sandford,

101.

Messiahs,

Moses,

Relics,

Saints,

17, 65.

Maya,

42.

64.

48.

birth,

Vishnu,

61, 88.

Vulcan,

71.

Witches,

6.

12.

29.

IX,

Priestley,

67.
62.

28,

38, 39, 42.

Magdalene,

Mary

Rama,

Resurrection,

9.

Mary,

48.

Pythagoras,

10.

Leda,

%1.

Prayer,

99.

79,

Lecky,

28.

Prometheus,

S3.

Lazarus,

Zoroaster,

21, 41, 42, 47.

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