[144:1] Baring-Gould: Legends of the Patriarchs, p. 149. [144:2] Calmet's Fragments, art. "Abraham." [144:3] Farrar's Life of Christ, p. 52. [144:4] Tacitus: Annals, bk. xiv. ch. xxii. [144:5] Amberly's Analysis of Religious Belief, p. 227. [144:6] Bible for Learners, vol. iii. p. 73. [144:7] Brinton: Myths of the New World, pp. 180, 181, and Squire: Serpent Symbol. [145:1] Life of Christ, vol. i. p. 144. [145:2] Matthew ii. 2. [145:3] See Thomas Scott's English Life of Jesus for a full investigation of this subject. CHAPTER XIV. THE SONG OF THE HEAVENLY HOST. The story of the Song of the Heavenly Host belongs exclusively to the _Luke_ narrator, and, in substance, is as follows: At the time of the birth of Christ Jesus, there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and the angel said: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host, praising God in song, saying: "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace, good will towards men." After this the angels went _into heaven_.[147:1] It is recorded in the _Vishnu Purana_[147:2] that while the virgin Devaki bore _Crishna_, "the protector of the world," in her womb, she was eulogized by the gods, and on the day of Crishna's birth, "the quarters of the horizon were irradiate with joy, as if moonlight was diffused over the whole earth." "_The spirits and the nymphs of heaven danced and sang_," and, "at _midnight_,[147:3] when the support of all was born, _the clouds emitted low pleasing sounds, and poured down rain of flowers_."[147:4] Similar demonstrations of celestial delight were not wanting at the birth of _Buddha_. All beings everywhere were full of joy. Music was to be heard all over the land, and, as in the case of Crishna, there fell from the skies a gentle shower of flowers and perfumes. Caressing breezes blew, and a marvellous light was produced.[147:5] The Fo-pen-hing relates that: