The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-03-13
Traditions OF the Universal DeIuss

1t Is very true that Revelation aud Christiapf-
ty need no defence. They a factor in the
grand macrocosm, whose Creator has amply, yes
abundantly provided for their free course and
regenerating power throughout the ages.
An argument in regard to Revelation and
Christianity, bears stroag resemblance to a con-
troyersy between a company of bats and owls as
TO whether the sun is shining on a summers dar
The sun was shining all the while. but the bats
and owls could not see it,
Men have to be reminded Of things. There are
thousands of copies Of the Civil Laws throughout
the land but in every Court Of Justice you will
see dozens OF lawyers, whose sole business there
Is to enforce explain aud call TO mind these very
laws. so essential in the welfare of the nation
This is lust the case with the Digest OF Truth
Although this Code OF Truth Is the source Of Civi
Law although its record is corroborated BY ten
thousand Witnesses although it contains the
suhlimest composition earth. and the only true
ided OF Natures God although It is the only clue
which leads out of the labyrinth of human exist
ence; yes, although 1t lifts up the shechinah of
the inehsble glory in the light Of prophecy along
the ages-in spite OF all this. muItitudes OF men
to this day are cropping in moral darkness. like a
multitude Of blind men under the MONDAY sun :
These reasons, the writer pleads in e1tenuation
Of bis seeming presumption.
We will now resume the traditional and ht,tor.
zeal evidences of the fact Of the great deIuxe:
'Luoian, Witty and original writer born
about 40 A. D., who wrote the famous works
dialogues Of the GODS ~ Auction OF the PhiIos-
ophers," Banquet" and ''Dia Iogues of the
Dead" gives rs q circumstantial account of the
Great Deluge, corresponding in almost every par
ticular with the account found In Genesis Lu-
clan states expressly that be received his account
from the Greeks; which account Just differs in
detail enough to show that # was net taken from
the Bible
We must admit, though that the Greeks might
have got an inkling of these things from the Sep
tuagtnt or Greek version Of the Bible translated
under Ptolemy Phfladelphus. in the third century
before Chrrsf. Also Alexander the Great must
nave seen the Old Testament, while at erusalem,
on his way to the conquest of Persia
However, it is most probable that this knouI-
edge OF the Universal Flood was derived by the
Greeks from tradition handed down from the days
of Noah, were the similar traditions of the 9th.
er tribes and nations Of both the Old and the Neic
WorIdI
1t is plain that the savage tribes and haIfoivil-
ized nations of the newly discovered Continent OF
America, together with the Pacific islanders
must have derived their knowledge of the Flood
from direct tradition as the Pacific and Atlantic
oceans rolled between them and BtbIelands.-
This evinces their descent from Noah the fathe r
of the existing generation OF men.
THE orthodox among the ancient Persians be-
lieved deluge, and that It was universal, and
overwhelmed the whole earth. Similar traditions
have prevailed in the East among the Hi ndoos
Burmans, and Chinese. OF these the tradition
Of the Chinese is particularly worthy o. note. as
they not only refer to the deluKe itself but also
the causes CT It. The traditions of a general food
are also TO be traced among the ancient Goths
and Druids, as we'll among the Mexicans. Pc
ruvians, Brazilinns. and Nicaraguans; to whom
may be added the OtsheiteRns, before their con-
version to Christianity, and tho Sandwich ISL
snders.
There could hardly oe more general tradition
Of any eTeSf, than the foregoing.
Life and death cases are decided with half the
evidence, but men are found to be very particular
In momentous questions. A trihIng issue would
be passed over with thousandth part of the de-
bate.
The bean that weighs eternal interests must Re
strong, and well balanced. More anon
Chest SpCings, Pa, March 9, 's5 ADH