Such degeneration has often happened in the history of the world. The descendants of powerful nations have, in the lapse of years, become far inferior to their ancestors. For example, the ancient Egyptians have left monuments whose construction baffles us. We cannot imagine how they have raised and posed the immense stones, nor can we ascertain the purpose of many of their buildings. We talk of “lost arts” and “lost civilizations.” We know that it has often happened that educated colored people from the southern United States, have sunk to the low level of the people of Africa when they have returned to the land of their fathers. From the Bible narrative, as well as from the most ancient traditions of heathen nations, we learn that at the first, man held close intercourse with God and that he held this pure worship during many centuries. The traditions of ancient nations confirm the Bible account of the high position of man at the outset. In the Avesta, the sacred book of the Parsees, who are known also as fire-worshipers, we are told that the first king, Jemshid, and his subjects, after living for a time in the original home of the race of mankind, removed to a secluded spot not far distant. Here, there “was neither overbearing nor mean-spiritedness, neither stupidity nor violence, neither poverty nor deceit, neither puniness nor deformity, neither huge teeth nor bodies beyond the usual measure. The inhabitants suffered no defilement from the evil spirit. They dwelt among odoriferous trees and golden pillars; these were the largest, best and most beautiful on earth; they were themselves a tall and beautiful race.” The Mexicans tell of the “golden age of Tezenco.” The Peruvian tradition begins with the story of the two children of the Sun, who established a civilized country on the banks of Lake Titicaca. Hesiod records the Greek tradition thus: “The immortal gods, that tread the courts of heaven, First made a golden race of men. Like gods they lived, with happy, careless souls, From toil and pain exempt; nor on them crept Wretched old age, but all their life was passed In feasting, and their limbs no changes knew. Nought evil came them nigh; and when they died, ’Twas but as if they were overcome by sleep. All good things were their portion: the fat soil Bare them its fruits spontaneous, fruit ungrudged And plentiful; they, at their own sweet will, Pursued in peace the tasks that seemed them good. Laden with blessings, rich in flocks, and dear To the great gods.”