Another source of information is the ancient monuments. It was the custom of Oriental people to preserve important parts of their history by engraving and carving descriptions of them on their memorial stones. When it is remembered that all knowledge of the characters or letters in which these inscriptions are made had faded away, we can see how difficult the task of explaining them must have been. By careful comparisons and patient investigations methods of interpreting them were devised. These were severally tried; if found not to be capable of successful application they were rejected; and thus one plan after another was tried until the right one was found. Some of the inscriptions were in the form of pictures with combinations of syllables added, or _hieroglyphics_, as they are called. From these monuments a great deal has been learned about the early history and worship of the nations. From these sacred books, the traditions of the nations, and from tracing back the development of religions with the aid of monumental inscriptions, we get a tolerably clear picture of the passing from the worship of the one God into the worship of many gods and idols. This change took place gradually, not abruptly. It was a result of the natural degeneration of the race. There were certain depraved tendencies of the human heart which brought it about. It was a work of time to develop these and give them full play. We must keep in mind these facts and the condition of the human race just at this time, if we would correctly apprehend this change and its slowly-moving but efficient causes. THE TRANSITION.