Thus we have traced the worship of the world down through the ages of antiquity. We have had to rely upon other than merely historic sources of information. We have seen the gradual introduction of Polytheism (many gods’ worship), and of idolatry (the worship of visible forms). For the rest of our way the light shines more and more clearly. Historic times are now reached, and we shall find much less difficulty in tracing the stories of religions: and we shall also find data from which we may reason back, and so find confirmation of what has thus far been of necessity somewhat shadowy. [Illustration: GROUP OF ALTARS. ROMAN. ASSYRIAN. EGYPTIAN. EGYPTIAN. ASSYRIAN. BABYLONIAN. GRECIAN. GRECIAN. PERSIAN.] Before passing to these, however, we shall turn aside for a little to consider the testimony which ancient heathen records and traditions furnish on the genuineness of the Bible history, and also to notice the singular system of Hebrew worship, standing alone like a green oasis in the weary wastes of heathenism. [Illustration: IDOL FROM HINDUSTAN.] CHAPTER III. SACRED AND HEATHEN TRADITIONS. What appears to be of most importance is, the fact, attested by the hieroglyphic paintings of the Mexican, as well as by the tales now current in all quarters from the Arctic Ocean to Cape Horn, that one of these great periods, called “the Age of Waters,” closed with a convulsion, the account of which, in all its broader outlines, is remarkably akin to the Mosaic record of the Deluge.--ARCHDEACON CHARLES HARDWICK. From time to time during the past half century travelers have unearthed traditions from among heathen nations concerning the early history of the world. They have deciphered inscriptions, found the key to the hieroglyphics, or writings whose letters were yet pictures in form, and, by questioning, learned from the heathen peoples themselves of traditions and legends which bear upon the prominent events of early history. These narratives are from a variety of sources and from peoples differing widely in locality, language and civilization. They are matters of curious interest, and they serve to confirm the Biblical stories of the creation, deluge, dispersion of the races and other events. They agree to a great extent among themselves, just as far as is really possible considering the changing circumstances of the peoples who hold them. But they serve another and more important purpose to us just here. They throw much light on the early history of the religions of which they form a part. They confirm the idea of the original unity of the race and of the early existence of one religion for the world.