The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-02-17
For ike 4rSGsss7e TrGeeier THE MYTHS OF THE BIBLE.
BY RALPH L. GOODRICH.


 
 There IS school of modern mytholo- s.s;s which teaches that all the legendary taies of by-gone heroes, have no founda- ton whatever in fact, and are only solar and other myths. The tales in which are contained the marvellous exploits of divine persons, who have been elevated 10 the throne of heaven to rule over the affairs of men, are not, in the opinion of the philosophers who make up this school. plain and matter of fact. nor even exag- gerated. accounts of real men and wo- men, or supernatural be,ngs, but are only versions. enlarged from time to tune, of .he descriptions of the sun revolving through the sky. oontending with clouds and storms, of thunder and lightning, ard of the contests between light and darkness. These simple descriptions em- bodied the ideas which early man formed concerning the phenomena of the sky.
 This theory, originating in Germany. look strong hold on the popular mind and it has had ardent. though somewhat visionary supporters in England.
 The theory that all legendary tales and mythology originated in the descriptions which early man, just beginning 10 use his reason and reflective powers, and the poets, endeas ored to formulate in order 10 express,fheir notions concerning the phenomena which they witnessed, is in all probability the true one: but this is cer- tain, that the development of these de scriptions and phrases by succeeding peo- pie. involved human incidents with all the vicissitudes of joy and suffering. of life and death.
 Students who finished their collegiate career more than a quarter of century ago. and who have failed on account of an active business or professional life to keep up with the researches of the mod ern school of German mythologists, or to inform themselves of the general results of this science. have been shocked to see how this modern iconoclasm has laid waste their ancient Greek and Roman worlds. These conservatists, and con- servatists only because their knowledge n these matters is just where it was when they Jeff their alsra 1saker, are horTihed when they learn that these German ex- plorers into mythology have travelled from the field of the indo- European races and languages, their legitimate domain. and endeavored to apply their theories to the songs and liturgies, the prophets, priests and singers O, Israel. Mythology represents psychological and necessary condition of the human mind. In the development of the human faculties from condition but little above that of the brute, man arrives at that state in which he is able to form some conceptions of the phenomena of the world about him and his relations to them. These con- cep,ioLs are formed from, and based upon the ideas which he has of himself and his immediate surroundings, and all physical phenomena would become in- vested with feelings, appetites and pas sions like his own. Now all civilized races have p ssed through a savage con dition, and hence myths have become necessary part of their national life. What we call myth, appeared to the early man who tirst formed il, as a fact, as something to be believed in, as the solution of something for which no other or better explanation could be given. When people grew wiser by acquiring more experience. when their reasoning faculties had become developed and their opinions and judgments analysed and corrected by wider generalixatons and deductions. myths then became rele- gated to more distant past when the gods lived with man on the earth. The Semitic races. as we'll :.s every other race that has advanced to civilization, have passed through ,his' mytho.ogic state. 1T we study closely the ancient history of these peoples with the light which oompara- tive philology and mythology has thrown upon 1t, we shall find that they were no less the subjects of this physiological state than their indo-European neigh bors. Butswe should not lose our cauton and comahon sense, and assuming the arrogance of science or prejudice, thrust aside ali that Hebrew tradition and je~- .sh enthusiasts have handed down and entrusted to eur keeping ..
 It will not be uninteresting, trust, 10 state briefiy some Of the theories that were propounded concerning the Jewish mythology before the German scholars established the science of mythology on strictly scientific principles. Before myths had become so thoroughly siffed and an- aly5ed as they are at present. and the laws which govern their development in a measure established, and the relations that subsiss between those of kindred and unrelated races fully undeEstood, the no- tion regarding myths were of the crudest hnd It v1s believed thas ivy vas fa- miliaz with the nenfateuch and derived much of his inspiration and many of his