Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-12-04

Ezs7. N ksszssAa
sufficient to make apparent, tie worship
and revcrental respect that was paid
them by that learned, civilized, and sci
entific people.--We believe the Romons
adopted all the gods of Greece with a
goody number of their own invention
The author Of the manual of Classical
Literature SAYS: TO the gods already
mentioned we may add those, which were
constituted by the dedication of The En-
perors and their layoritcs. Thus a CT.
sar, an Augustus, CaudiuS, and others
were elevated to the rank Of GODS
Sometimes this was done in their lifetime
by the viest aduIation, but more frequent.
ly after death, to hatter their descendants
And Middleton, a skepticaI writer in his
Letter from Rome, most irreyerenty re-
marks: "This scryie and impious adula.
ton was first practlsed by the Asiatic
Greeks towards the succession of Alex.
ander. The Roman Senate made it their
business by solemn decree to place every
deceased emperor in the number of the
gods, and the ceremony Of his ApotheOsis
were united with those Of his funeral. He
also thought the beatiIication of saints by
the RomiSh church was derived from that
practice.
Mahomot has a temple at Mecca, which
all good Mussclmcn must visit once in
their lives. Within it, by the power Of
magnetism, the coffin of the prophet is
suspended; a miraculous phenomenon
which no true Moslem would doubt on his
salvation, No one can tell the sofening
influences thatare cXerted on the lerocious
races who are Inclined 10 This religion by
the priests who olliciate at the shine Of
him who YVES able TO bind in adamlntnc
iette RS the minds and muscles Of his fol.
lowers, and to leave the enchanment of
his genius to exercise a sovereign control
oveI the will and thoughts of their posteri.
~. Who would disturb the happy deyo.
lions Of those who "nightly at the solemn
make their prisons to the son Of
IshmaeI, and who live in Llissful anticipa-
lions of sharing with him the pavements
Of musk and gold, and the smiles of the
hours!
But our own happy and enlightened
country has not been thus long without a
emp,e." In the state OF Illinois, at
Iltcc coi,cd Nauvoo, magnificent TEN
lie is being erected by the followers Of an
eminent citizen" and late distinguished
prophet called Joseph Smith, For his.
DRY Of this people and their temple, we
eler our readers to the book Norman"
which may lie examined by all who feel a
deep Interest in the progress Of the lat.
or day Saints" We would say to our
tleHd5, howe or, WIN propose erecting
he present statue and "lemplc of grand
conception in which To place it," to take
are lest the Morm0ns excel them as much
n the magnilicencc of their temple, as
hey excel the Mormons in devotion to
heir chief.
We hail the commencement of this de-
polIonal and sacred work as the auspcious
opening Of a new era in the arts, and as
giving fresh impetus to the great cause
Of moral reform. We may hope that i'm
provement in the architectural arts will
keep pace with the defication Of heroes.
As soon as the temple is finished own
friends Of course will institute an order of
and we will take leave Of this
interesting subject by referring them TO a
from an author on the Mytho-
ogical worship of Greece: The three
principle duties Of the priests were sacr-
ice, prayer, and instruct N. With these
were united sometimes the declaration
md Interpretation of oraclcs. Upon the
rank of the god depended the number Of
he priests, who were employed 10 attend
Ipon him, and who shared each his part of
he various functions Of the service. In
every place there was one superior priest
lhe Office Of the parasites was to collect
he grain and fruits designed for sacrifices
nto the store houses appropriated there
Or. The suporintendants, or those whose
business i was 10 cleanse and adorn the
temples were ranked among the sacred