Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

414 RELIGIOUS ERRORS OF MR. MAHAN.Moses, both professing communion Avitli God, wbicli we now know couldnot have taken place, and both pleading his commands to exercise the mosthorrible intolerance at home, as well as cruel rapacity abroad ?2017. Mohammed appears to have been more successful than Moses inconvincing his followers of his mission.There seems to have been a greatdistrust of Moses, which he artfully always ascribes to the impiety of theunbelievers ; like all other religious impostors, identifying his word withthat of God. Nothing but his inability to convince the skeptics of thedivine origin of his mission could have induced them to worship idols inopposition to his remonstrance ; and the fact that Aaron assisted them incasting the golden calf, can only be explained by his participation in theheresy. Does not this alleged conduct on the part of Aaron render thewhole affiiir so absurd as to throw doubt over the whole history ? Moses,while killing the malcontents, could hardly avoid punishing their ringleader.Moreover, how could one who would assist in idolatrous worship,be fit to hold the office of high-priest, into which he was soon afterwardinstalled with great pomp ?2018. It is perfectly clear, to my mind, that a pagan who sincerely worshipsany thing as his God, really worships God. He stands in the samerelation to his God that a debtor stands to his real creditor when payingforged draft.2019. Wicked priests have raised a cry against idolaters, as the realthief strives, by calling after some innocent person within view, toadivertthe hue and cry from himself. As an exemplification of this species ofwickedness, I quote here a speecb made to the Emperor Constantius byJulius Firmicius Maternus, (Taylor's Diagesis, page 141 :)2020. (Addressing the Emperor Constantius.) " Take away, take away,in perfect security," exclaims this self called Christian priest, '^ mostholy emperor, take away all the ornaments of their temples. Let the fireof the mint or the flames of the mines melt down their gods. Seize uponall their wealthy endowments, and turn them to your own use and property.And, most sacred emperor, it is absolutely necessary for you torevenge and punish this evil. You are commanded by the law of the MostHigh God to persecute all sorts of idolatry with the utmost severity; hearunderstanding what God himself com-and commend to your own sacredmands. He commands you not to spare your son or your brother ; he bidsyou plunge the avenging knife even into the heart of your wife that sleepsin your bosom ; to persecute your dearest friend with a sublime severityand to arm your whole people against these sacrilegous pagans, and tearthem limb from limb. Yea, even whole cities, if you should find thisguilt in them, must be cut off. most holy emperor, God promisesyou the rewards of his mercy, upon condition of your thus acting. Do,therefore, what he commands, complete what he prescribes."2021. It should be recollected that this diabolical address was made tothe Christian son and successor of Constantino. Can there be a moreshocking picture of the mischievous consequences of the example and