DIFFERENT IDEAS OF PARADISE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 187, 11 September 1909, Page 4

DIFFERENT IDEAS OF PARADISE.

The Laplander believes Piuadise to be situated in the centre of the snows of Sweden, while the Muscogulgees imagine it lo be among the islands of the vast Pacific. 1 Tho Mexican Indians believe that those who die from wounds or are drowned go to a cool and delightful place, there to enjoy all manner of pleasure; those who die in battle or tap-' tivity are wnfted to the palace of the sun, aiid lead a life of endless delight.l After an abode of four more years in this splendid habitation, they 'animate clouds and birds of beautiful feather and of sweet song, having at the same time liberty to ascend to Heaven or descend to earth, to suck sweet flowers and warble enchanting songs. The Tonqitiucse imagine the forest andj the mountains to be peopled with a peculiar kind of genii, who exercise an influence over the affairs of, mankind; and in! their ideas relative to a state of future happiness they regard a delightful climate and atmosphere surcharged with a. throne profusely covered with garlands I of flowers as the summit of earthly fell- 1 city. j

Among the Arabs, a fine country with nbundance of shade forms the principal object of their promised bliss, One tribe of American Indians believe that the souls of good men are conveyed to a pleasant valley abounding wit.fi guaviis and other delicious fruits, while others regard it as a place beyond where the inhabitants have nothing to do but hunt—the "happy hunting-ground." The Heaven of the Celts was called "FJashinnis," the "island of the good and brave"; their hell, "Ilfurin," "the island of cold climate." The Druids believed that the souls of good men were wafted, in progressive course, from planet to planet, enjoying, at every successkol change, a more sublime felicity than ia the last.