n the cuneiform
inscriptions of Cyrus (B. C. 560), Darius (B. C. 520), and Xerxes (B. C.
485) those ancient Kings of Persia, who knew that they were kings by the
grace of _Auramazda_, and who placed his sacred image high on the
mountain-records of Behistun."[452:1] That ancient book, or its
fragments, at least, have survived many dynasties and kingdoms, and is
still believed in by a small remnant of the Persian race, now settled at
Bombay, and known all over the world by the name of Parsees.[452:2]

"The Babylonian and Phenician sacred books date back to a fabulous
antiquity;"[452:3] and so do the sacred books and religion of Egypt.

Prof. Mahaffy, in his "Prolegomena to Ancient History," says:

"There is indeed hardly a great and fruitful idea in the
Jewish or Christian systems which has not its analogy in the
Egyptian faith, and _all these theological conceptions pervade
the oldest religion of Egypt_."[452:4]

The worship of Osiris, the Lord and Saviour, must have been of extremely
ancient date, for he is represented as "Judge of the Dead," in
sculptures contemporary with the building of the Pyramids, centuries
before Abraham is said to have been born. Among the many hieroglyphic
titles which accompany his figure in those sculptures, and in many other
places on the walls of temples and tombs, are, "Lord of Life," "The
Eternal Ruler," "Manifester of Good," "Revealer of Truth," "Full of
Goodness and Truth," etc.

In speaking of the "Myth of Osiris," Mr. Bonwick says:

"This great mystery of the Egyptians demands serious
consideration. Its antiquity--its universal hold upon the
people for over five thousand years--its identification with
the very life of the nation--_and its marvellous likeness to
the creed of modern date_, unite in exciting the greatest
interest."[452:5]

This myth, and that of Isis and Horus, were known before the Pyramid
time.[453:1]

The worship of the Virgin Mother in Egypt--from which country it was
imported into Europe[453:2]--dates back thousands of years B. C. Mr.
Bonwick says:

"In all probability she was worshiped three thousand years
before Moses wrote. 'Isis nursing her child Horus, was
represented,' says Mariette Bey, 'at least six thousand years
ago.' We read the name of Isis on monuments of the fourth
dynasty, and she lost none of her popularity to the close of
the empire."

"The Egyptian Bi