Egyptian monotheism.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 158, 26 June 1886, Page 1

Egyptian monotheism.

Why did it depart and fade away ? This is 4i question difficult to answer. We only know of this ancient faith through those rery remote and imperfect records, inscriptions and liturgies. These express its ideals and hopes and aspirations. Perhaps ita followers lived according to their creed. Ho doubt the revelation of Osiris was exceedingly vague and shadowy, and probably rery soon converted into a sun-myth. How much of it was based on historic fant, no one can say. What we kno*v is that this Ancient religion wag much incumbered with fcymboliem, and filled with strange and wild conceits. It lacked the simplicity and humility and reality of Christianity. It did not contain the wonderful humanity and sympathy of the teaching* of Galilee. It did not reveal God as a Father. It came, too, to a people shut out from other races, "who were trodden down under a relentless despotism and a most powerful hierarchy. It lived longer than Christianity ha* yet done, but was not adapted to other races, perhaps from its language — hidden from the multitude— and themyatery thrown around its teachings. The spiritual monotheism probably changed soon into pantheism, and in later times degenerated into polytheism and idolatry. The Egyptain Taces never even impressed the race of BlaveB under them — the Hebrewa— with their most cherished belief — that in immortality. But no doubt the spirituality of the priests touched the mind of Moses and aided his divine inspiration.