And their respective disciples point to the same kind of evidence to
prove their real existence and their divine character, and to prove
that they once walked and talked amongst men, as well as now sit on the
eternal throne in heaven "at the right hand of the father." And we
find even Christian writers admitting the once _bona fide_ or personal
existence on earth of most of the pagan Saviors.
As to the two chief incarnated Gods of India--Chrishna and Sakia--there
is scarcely "a peg left to hang a doubt upon" as to the fact of their
having descended to the earth, taken upon themselves the form of men,
and having been worshiped as veritable Gods.
Indeed, we believe but few of the missionaries who have visited that
country question the statement and general belief prevalent there of
their once personal reality. Col. Todd, in his "History of the Rajahs"
(p. 44), says: "We must discard the idea that the Mahabaret, the
history of Rama, of Chrishna, and the five Padua brothers are mere
allegories; colossal figures, ancient temples, and caves inscribed
with characters yet unknown, confirm the reality, and their race, their
cities, and their coins yet exist." To argue further the personal reality
of this crucified God would be a waste of words, as it is generally
admitted, both by historical writers and missionaries.
Mr. Higgins declares, "Chrishna lived at the conclusion of the brazen
age, which is calculated to have been eleven hundred or twelve hundred
years before Christ." Here is a very positive and specific declaration
as to his tangible actuality. Col. Dow, Mr. Robinson, and others use
similar language.
Relative to Bacchus, of whose history many writers have spoken as being
wholly fabulous or fictitious, Diodorus Siculus says (lib. iii. p. 137),
"the Libyans claim Bacchus, and say that he was the son of Ammon, a
king of Libya; that he built a temple to his father, Ammon." And that
world-wide famous historian (Mr. Goodrich) is still more explicit, if
possible, as to his material entity. After giving it directly as his
opinion that there was such a being, he says, "He planted vine-yards and
fig-trees, and erected many noble cities." He moreover tells us, "His
skill in legislation and agriculture is much praised" (p. 499).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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