ection."[11:4]

The ancient Greeks had a tradition concerning the "Islands of the
Blessed," the "Elysium," on the borders of the earth, abounding in every
charm of life, and the "Garden of the Hesperides," the Paradise, in
which grew a _tree_ bearing the golden apples of Immortality. It was
guarded by three nymphs, and a Serpent, or Dragon, the ever-watchful
Ladon. It was one of the labors of Hercules to gather some of these
apples of life. When he arrived there he found the garden protected by a
_Dragon_. Ancient medallions represent a tree with a serpent twined
around it. Hercules has gathered an apple, and near him stand the three
nymphs, called Hesperides.[11:5] This is simply a parallel of the Eden
myth.

The Rev. Mr. Faber, speaking of _Hercules_, says:

"On the _Sphere_ he is represented in the act of contending
with the Serpent, the head of which is placed under his foot;
and this Serpent, we are told, is that which guarded the tree
with golden fruit in the midst of the garden of the
Hesperides. But the garden of the Hesperides _was none other
than the garden of Paradise_; consequently the serpent of that
garden, the head of which is crushed beneath the heel of
Hercules, and which itself is described as encircling with its
folds the trunk of the mysterious tree, must necessarily be a
transcript of that Serpent whose form was assumed by the
tempter of our first parents. We may observe the same ancient
tradition in the Phoenician fable representing Ophion or
Ophioneus."[12:1]

And Professor Fergusson says:

"_Hercules'_ adventures in the garden of the Hesperides, is
the Pagan form of the myth that most resembles the precious
Serpent-guarded fruit of the Garden of Eden, though the moral
of the fable is so widely different."[12:2]

The ancient _Egyptians_ also had the legend of the "Tree of Life." It is
mentioned in their sacred books that Osiris ordered the names of some
souls to be written on this "Tree of Life," the fruit of which made
those who ate it to become as gods.[12:3]

Among the most ancient traditions of the _Hindoos_, is that of the "Tree
of Life"--called _Soma_ in Sanskrit--the juice of which imparted
immortality. This most wonderful tree was guarded by spirits.[12:4]

Still more striking is the Hindoo legend of the "Elysium" or "Paradise,"
which is as follows:

"In the sacred mountain _Meru_, which i