Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-05-08
lFrom "THE GUanprAS",for May, 1861
TGADlTl0Z5S,

TO trace the correspondence between the
traditions of ancient heathen nations and
the history recorded in the Old Testament
is an employment at once interesting and
instructive. Most Of these traditions
though now in corrupted channels can
be very certainly followed up to then
source. They have travelled with the hu
man race in all its wanderings, from The
mountains of Caucasus to the plains Of
Mexico. To our mind, they are an evi
dence of the unity of the human race
which can not be satisfactorily rebtt'ed
And this, because Of the intrinsic resem-
blance of those of different nations to each
other indicating at once common deri-
ration - TIE Jewish ration, within whose
limits the stream Of History was at one
time confined For their interest, we
present few of .hese traditions taken at
random.
The general doctrine of Providence, the
rebellion in Heaven, the state Of inno-
cence, the fall of man, atonement, a
future state of retribution, fcr which the
present life is only preparatory-all, or
some of these, are found in the traditions
of all nations, Greeks and Barbarians.
The Chinese historians record that Pey-
run saved himself in vessel from the
general inurdation. Hindus have tradi-
ton to the effect that there was 4 general
inundation; and that seven men with one
woman was saved with pairs of all animals
The Egyptians thus speak of Osiris that
he was exposed in an ark, afterward restored
to the world; that he planted tie vine;
taught mankind agriculture and the max
inns of religion. In the East they pre-
served the name Noah in connection with
their traditions they also called several
rivers after him. In the archives Of the
Medes and Babylonians was found very
consistent account of the deluge This
speaks of the beginning of the food upon
the 18th Of the month Desius that du-
ring the prevalence Of the waters, Scisi-
thrus sent out birds, which returned three
times, not finding resting place. Plu-
trarch speaks of Noah's dove. Lucian, a
Greek author, gives the history of Noah,
consistent with the Mosaic records, under
the name of Deucalion. Abydenus, a
very ancient author, says the remains of
the ark were visible for long time; that
he people srraped off the asptuitus with I
which it was covered, and used it for /
harm. In this, he is corroborlted by
everal ancient authors The most impor-
ant part in the ceremonies of Eastern
lations, consisted in carrying about boat
n procession. Bryant has a curious de-
cripticn of a coin struck at Apamea in
he time of Philip the Elder, on the re-
erse side of which there can be seen at a
lance the whole history of the Deluge
IN it, kind Of square machine floating
pom water, is delineated Through an
pening in 1t are seen. two persons, man ,
nd woman. Over this ark, upon kind
f pediment, sits dove; and below it,
mother, which seems to fiutter its wings,
nd hold in its mouth small branch of +,
.ee Upon the ark itself, underneath tie O
ersons there enclosed, is to be read ir
istinct letters, Noe. There is said to be /,
lree Of these coins in existence; one is
the collection Of tie Duke Of Tuscany ,
.mong our American Indians this tradi- ,
on is very distinct. The following is
leir version Of it An old man knowing =,
,e deluge was to come, built a great ship, q
nd went into it with family, and abun-
,nce of animals that he sent out crow, I;
hich did not at first return, staying to
ed on the carcases of dead animals, but n
tervard came back with a green branch f
its mouth; that Noah got drunk, and
me of his sons scoffed at him, others q
,yerod him. All through South Ameri I,
the tradition was current and 1t is said
lat when the islands of the South Western h
cean were discovered, the natives told
e navicators some indistinct story of the q
,luee. The coincidence between the !,
reek name for ship, Naus, and Noah, has
ten been remarked on; and is 1t not :,
obable the people would call ships by
e name of the first ship-builder?
The Greeks had Tradition that the
prld was once divided into three grand fu
visions, between Jupiter, Neptune, and al
Iuto. Compare this with "The name of m
le was Peleg; for in his day was the ct
rth divided 81
1t is recorded in the Assyrian annals, Al
at the tower of Babel was destroyed by st
ins and tempests; and at that time there a,
ose variety of languages. oi
TIE belief in oracles, dreams, was very a.
neral which is plainly referable to the ff
edium God established by which to COM