Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-09-29

Pagan Idea of the Divinity.

Nature teaches the existence of Supreme
Being. but only as through glass darkly-
Mythology, the Pagan theology, is nothing but
a transcript Of human nature, expressed in
words. The passions which it delineateS, are
called gods by the PaganS, and WorShipped as
beings ruling the events Of the world, ana the
actions of man. PHILOSOPHERS and Christians
pay no homage to heather Pantheon, bat
speak Of il merely as 4 tissue of ingenious fc-
tons. Probably, Homer did not believe that
the Jove whom he described, was the Sover-
eign eternal God, for he assigns place Of
birth to him. Every scholar knows that Soc
rates, Plato, NenocrateS, aud many Others,
born among PaganS, were opposed to iGOlatry
One can safely assert, that Homer and bis fol-
lowers were DeiStS in principle, acknowledging
one God alone otherwise. how could they al
low mortaIs to defeat Mars in battle, or Joye
in counsel? Yet this frequently occurs but
the common people, in their ignorance, could
not pierce the mist of metaphor, and learn the
truth that was gliSteuiug beyond II was re-
served for Christianity 10 reveal the unity Of
the Godhead TO the world, without distinction
OF talent or knowledge, Christ has chosen the
weak. the forsaken, the unknown, and the ig-
norant as heirs Of divine wisdom.
The real Neurological notion of Deity is
only an aSSembage of various characters. The
classic theology, was moulded entirely by the
poets. We must not expect to look for theol-
ogy in heatheu Pantheon, but simply the en-
bodiment Of human passion Each Deity, in
MYTHOLOGY, has generally one or two prevail
ing attributes Jove is the attribute of sover,
eighty, dignity and power; Apollois is refine
ment aud Mercary is watch-word of reason
aud enterprise. Venus IS the Goddess Of
Beauty, Queen of Smiles, Mother Of Love,
and Mistress of the Graces and Pleasures
Juno is the ideal image of coniugal SOlicitude.
often called JealouSy, bat her jeaiousIy is found
ed on reason F; and she displays her influence in
endeavoring 10 remove from her family every
intruder whose designs are not yirtuouS Nep-
tune, the God Of the Sea, is embematic of
eternity, and the other sublime thoughts con
nected with the troubled or calm deep. Ceres,
the Goddess Of Agriculture, is typical Of vege-
table nature, whose laws afford Instruction
from the loitieSt cedar down 70 the modest
lily, which without labor or toll, shines more
brightly than the most glorious monarch. Di
ana, the ehaSte goddess, Is an emblem of ie-
male spirituality Mars is the god Of battle
and the great arblter OF International laws
and ave~ ger Of broken treaties. would it not
nleaSe bis majesty the king, or god Of the bat
ties, Mars, TO call upon his French majesty
Louis Napoleon, the emperor, and ask from
him an explanation, why did he violate so
many treaties aud solemn pledges, and ageuge
upon him al the wrongs suffered by the ltaE
ianS from the hands Of this peIjarer and
violated frontiers vulcan IS the god Q. fire.
The emblcm of honest labor, IS We'll aS Of art.
the friend OF the mechanic and smith, and the
patron d the elementary geRiuS OF society -
Nesta Is the goddess Of the welcome tireSide or
hearth, she Is an esnbgeMatic of household pu-
rity and domestic lore among the Greeks
her prieStc>Ses we're widows Beyond Uranus
and Ttcea, the philosophers placed an un-
known sod. to which "a altar was erected at
Athens. The first gods were Rot worshipped
IS much As much rs the latter Poetry seem
ell to have chiefly adopted the tSelye gods OF
the reign OF Jupiter TIE uukG0an goi VAS
confined, almos. wholly, 70 the philosopAcES.-