historian.

Although the accounts quoted above are not exactly alike, _yet the main
points are the same_, which are to the effect that Egypt was infected
with disease owing to the foreigners (among whom were those who were
afterwards styled "the children of Israel") that were in the country,
and who were an unclean people, and that they were accordingly driven
out into the wilderness.

When we compare this statement with that recorded in Genesis, it does
not take long to decide which of the two is nearest the truth.

Everything putrid, or that had a tendency to putridity, was carefully
avoided by the ancient Egyptians, and so strict were the Egyptian
priests on this point, that they wore no garments made of any animal
substance, circumcised themselves, and shaved their whole bodies, even
to their eyebrows, lest they should unknowingly harbor any filth,
excrement or vermin, supposed to be bred from putrefaction.[53:2] We
know from the laws set down in _Leviticus_, that the Hebrews were not a
remarkably clean race.

Jewish priests, _in making a history for their race_, have given us but
a shadow of truth here and there; it is almost wholly mythical. The
author of "The Religion of Israel," speaking on this subject, says:

"The history of the religion of Israel _must start from the
sojourn_ of _the Israelites in Egypt_. Formerly it was usual
to take a much earlier starting-point, and to begin with a
religious discussion of the religious ideas of the
_Patriarchs_. And this was perfectly right, so long as the
accounts of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were considered
_historical_. _But now that a strict investigation has shown
us that all these stories are entirely unhistorical_, of
course we have to begin the history later on."[54:1]

The author of "The Spirit History of Man," says:

"The Hebrews came out of Egypt and settled among the
Canaanites. _They need not be traced beyond the Exodus. That
is their historical beginning._ It was very easy to cover up
this remote event by the recital of mythical traditions, and
to prefix to it an account of their origin in which the gods
(Patriarchs), should figure as their ancestors."[54:2]

Professor Goldzhier says:

"The residence of the Hebrews in Egypt, and their exodus
thence under the guidance and training of an enthusiast for
the freedom of his tribe, form a series of strictly historic