Doane 364

Selected FOOTNOTES with Text - from: A MARTIAN EXAMINES CHRISTIANITY Chapter XI The Martian Inquires As To Miracles
Festival, called the Carne-vale, Saxon goddess Ostrt or Eostre of the Germans, whence our Easter (p. 227), Easter eggs (p. 228), Easter: resurrection and ascension of Osiris (p. 221), Hebrew word — ‘ our lord’ (p. 220.) Hell — Hela (Death) (p. 224), (Tinkerbell - Peter Pan story.) (p. 224), pagan holiday— Sun-day (p. 227), The birth-place of Bacchus, called Sabaoth (p. 364). [More references at bottom of this page.]
Page 87 the Martian “ that according to the records Buddha, the son of the Virgin Maya, was born on December 25th; ³⁶ that the ancient Persians celebrated the birthday of their saviour, Mithra, on December 25th; ³⁷ that the ancient Egyptians for centuries before the birth of your saviour celebrated the end of December as an anniversary of their saviour Horus, the son of a holy virgin who was born on December 25th; ³⁸ that the same date is the birth of the Greek god Bacchus, born of a virgin and called the saviour, ³⁹ that the birthday of Adonis, another saviour, was celebrated on December 25th.” ⁴⁰ “ I find that your church father St. Chrysostom, who lived about the year 390, referred to these numerous festivals held on December 25th in the following language: ‘ On this day also the birth of Christ was lately fixed at Rome in order that whilst the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies the Christians might perform their holy rite undisturbed.’ ” ⁴¹ ³⁶ Doane, Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions, 7th ed., p. 363. ³⁷ Ibid. ³⁸ Ibid. ³⁹ Ibid., p. 364. ⁴⁰ Ibid. ⁴¹ Ibid., p. 367. Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions CHAPTER XXXIV. (Page) 364 THE BIRTH-DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. Rigord observes that the Egyptians not only worshiped a Virgin Mother “ prior to the birth of our Saviour, but exhibited the effigy of her son lying in the manger, in the manner the infant Jesus was afterwards laid in the cave at Bethlehem.” ^a The “ Chronicles of Alexandria,” an ancient Christian work, says: *“ Watch how Egypt has constructed the childbirth of a Virgin, and the birth of her son, who was exposed in a crib to the adoration of the people.”* ^b Osiris, son of the “ Holy Virgin,” as they called Ceres, or Neith, his mother, was born on the 25th of December. ^c ^a “ Deinceps Egyptii PARITURAM VIRGINEM Magno in honore habuerunt; quin soliti sunt puerum effingere jacentem in pręsepe, quali POSTEA in Bethlehemeticā speluncā natus est.” (Quoted in Anacalypsis, p. 102, of vol. ii.) ^b Quoted by Bonwick, p. 143. ^c Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 99. This was also the time celebrated by the ancient Greeks as being the birthday of Hercules. The author of “ The Religion of the Ancient Greeks ” says: *“ The night of the Winter Solstice, which the Greeks named the triple night, was that which they thought gave birth to Hercules.”* ^d He further says: “ It has become an epoch of singular importance in the eyes of the Christian, who has destined it to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, the true Sun of Justice, who alone came to dissipate the darkness of ignorance.” ^e ^d Relig. Anct. Greece, p. 215. ^e Ibid. Bacchus, also, was born at early dawn on the 25th of December. Mr. Higgins says of him: “ The birth-place of Bacchus, called Sabizius or Sabaoth, was claimed by several places in Greece; but on Mount Zelmissus, in Thrace, his worship seems to have been chiefly celebrated. He was born of a virgin on the 25th of December, and was always called the SAVIOUR. In his Mysteries, he was shown to the people, as an infant is by the Christians at this day, on Christmas-day morning, in Rome.” ^f ^f Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 102. Dupuis, p. 237,; and Baring-Gould: Orig. Relig. Belief, vol. i. p. 322. THE BIRTH-DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. 365 The birthday of Adonis was celebrated on the 25th of December. This celebration is spoken of by Tertullian, Jerome, and other Fathers of the Church, ^g who inform us that the ceremonies took place in a cave, and that the cave in which they celebrated his mysteries in Bethlehem, was that in which Christ Jesus was born. ^g Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 99. This was also a great holy day in ancient Rome. The Rev. Mr. Gross says: “ In Rome, before the time of Christ, a festival was observed on the 25th of December, under the name of ‘ Natalis Solis Invicti’ (Birthday of Sol the Invincible). It was a day of universal rejoicings, illustrated by illuminations and public games.” ^h “ All public business was suspended, declarations of war and criminal executions were postponed, friends made presents to one another, and the slaves were indulged with great liberties.” ⁱ ^h The Heathen Religion, p. 287; Dupuis, p. 233. ⁱ Bulfinch, p. 21. A few weeks before the winter solstice, the Calabrian shepherds came into Rome to play on the pipes. Ovid alludes to this when he says: “ Ante Deūm matrem cornu tibicen adunco Cum canit, exiguę quis stipis aera neget.” — (Epist. i. 1. ii.) i. e., “ When to the mighty mother pipes the swain, Grudge not a trifle for his pious strain.” This practice is kept up to the present day. The ancient Germans, for centuries before “ the true Sun of Justice” was ever heard of, celebrated annually, at the time of the Winter Solstice, what they called their Yule-feast. At this feast agreements were renewed, the gods were consulted as to the future, sacrifices were made to them, and the time was spent in jovial hospitality. Many features of this festival, such as burning the yule-log on Christmas-eve, still survive among us. ^j Yule was the old name for Christmas. In French it is called Noel, which is the Hebrew or Chaldee word Nule. ^k ^j See Bible for Learners, vol. iii. p. 67, and Chambers, art. “Yule.” ^k See Chambers, art. “Yule,” and “Celtic Druids,” p. 162. The greatest festival of the year celebrated among the ancient Scandinavians, was at the Winter solstice. They called the night upon which it was observed, the “Mother-night.” This feast was named Jul — hence is derived the word Yule — and was celebrated in honor of Freyr (son of the Supreme God Odin, and the goddess Frigga), who was born on that day. Feasting, nocturnal assemblies, and all the demonstrations of a most dissolute joy, were then authorized by the general usage. At this festival the principal guests received presents — generally horses, swords, battle-axes, and gold rings— at their departure. ^l ^l Mallet’s Northern Antiquities, pp. 110 and 355. Knight: p. 87. Doane, Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions, 7th ed., pp. 366 et seq. Doane, Bible Myths pp. 361 et seq. Martian Visitor: Quoted excerpts and Footnotes to: Bible Myths. INDEX of Subjects. Martian Visitor ( Home ) Metaphysics: Which is PRIMARY? The Pagan origins of Easter THE WORLD’S SIXTEEN CRUCIFIED SAVIORS or Christianity Before Christ CONTAINING New, Startling and Extraordinary Revelations In Religious History, Which Disclose The Oriental Origin Of All The Doctrines, Principles, Precepts, And Miracles Of The CHRISTIAN NEW TESTAMENT And Furnishing A Key For Unlocking Many Of It’s Sacred Mysteries, Besides comprising the History Of 16 HEATHEN CRUCIFIED GODS BY KERSEY GRAVES Copyright, 1875

Selected FOOTNOTES with Text - from:
A MARTIAN EXAMINES CHRISTIANITY
Chapter XI
The Martian Inquires As To Miracles

Festival, called the Carne-vale,
Saxon goddess Ostrt or Eostre of the Germans,
whence our Easter (p. 227), Easter eggs (p. 228),
Easter: resurrection and ascension of Osiris (p. 221),
Hebrew word — ‘ our lord’ (p. 220.)
Hell — Hela (Death) (p. 224),
(Tinkerbell - Peter Pan story.) (p. 224),
pagan holiday— Sun-day (p. 227),
The birth-place of Bacchus, called Sabaoth (p. 364).
[More references at bottom of this page.]

Page 87
the Martian
“ that according to the records Buddha, the son of the Virgin Maya, was born on December 25th; ³⁶ that the ancient Persians celebrated the birthday of their saviour, Mithra, on December 25th; ³⁷ that the ancient Egyptians for centuries before the birth of your saviour celebrated the end of December as an anniversary of their saviour Horus, the son of a holy virgin who was born on December 25th; ³⁸ that the same date is the birth of the Greek god Bacchus, born of a virgin and called the saviour, ³⁹ that the birthday of Adonis, another saviour, was celebrated on December 25th.” ⁴⁰

“ I find that your church father St. Chrysostom, who lived about the year 390, referred to these numerous festivals held on December 25th in the following language: ‘ On this day also the birth of Christ was lately fixed at Rome in order that whilst the heathen were busy with their profane ceremonies the Christians might perform their holy rite undisturbed.’ ” ⁴¹

³⁶ Doane, Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions, 7th ed., p. 363.
³⁷ Ibid.
³⁸ Ibid.
³⁹ Ibid., p. 364.
⁴⁰ Ibid.
⁴¹ Ibid., p. 367.

Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions
CHAPTER XXXIV. (Page) 364

THE BIRTH-DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.

Rigord observes that the Egyptians not only worshiped a Virgin Mother “ prior to the birth of our Saviour, but exhibited the effigy of her son lying in the manger, in the manner the infant Jesus was afterwards laid in the cave at Bethlehem.” ^a
The “ Chronicles of Alexandria,” an ancient Christian work, says:

“ Watch how Egypt has constructed the childbirth of a Virgin, and the birth of her son, who was exposed in a crib to the adoration of the people.” ^b

Osiris, son of the “ Holy Virgin,” as they called Ceres, or Neith, his mother, was born on the 25th of December. ^c

^a “ Deinceps Egyptii PARITURAM VIRGINEM Magno in honore habuerunt; quin soliti sunt puerum effingere jacentem in pręsepe, quali POSTEA in Bethlehemeticā speluncā natus est.” (Quoted in Anacalypsis, p. 102, of vol. ii.)
^b Quoted by Bonwick, p. 143.
^c Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 99.

This was also the time celebrated by the ancient Greeks as being the birthday of Hercules. The author of “ The Religion of the Ancient Greeks ” says:

“ The night of the Winter Solstice, which the Greeks named the triple night, was that which they thought gave birth to Hercules.” ^d

He further says:

“ It has become an epoch of singular importance in the eyes of the Christian, who has destined it to celebrate the birth of the Saviour, the true Sun of Justice, who alone came to dissipate the darkness of ignorance.” ^e

^d Relig. Anct. Greece, p. 215.
^e Ibid.

Bacchus, also, was born at early dawn on the 25th of December. Mr. Higgins says of him:

“ The birth-place of Bacchus, called Sabizius or Sabaoth, was claimed by several places in Greece; but on Mount Zelmissus, in Thrace, his worship seems to have been chiefly celebrated. He was born of a virgin on the 25th of December, and was always called the SAVIOUR. In his Mysteries, he was shown to the people, as an infant is by the Christians at this day, on Christmas-day morning, in Rome.” ^f

^f Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 102. Dupuis, p. 237,; and Baring-Gould: Orig. Relig. Belief, vol. i. p. 322.

THE BIRTH-DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. 365

The birthday of Adonis was celebrated on the 25th of December. This celebration is spoken of by Tertullian, Jerome, and other Fathers of the Church, ^g who inform us that the ceremonies took place in a cave, and that the cave in which they celebrated his mysteries in Bethlehem, was that in which Christ Jesus was born.

^g Anacalypsis, vol. ii. p. 99.

This was also a great holy day in ancient Rome. The Rev. Mr. Gross says:

“ In Rome, before the time of Christ, a festival was observed on the 25th of December, under the name of ‘ Natalis Solis Invicti’ (Birthday of Sol the Invincible). It was a day of universal rejoicings, illustrated by illuminations and public games.” ^h “ All public business was suspended, declarations of war and criminal executions were postponed, friends made presents to one another, and the slaves were indulged with great liberties.” ⁱ

^h The Heathen Religion, p. 287; Dupuis, p. 233.
ⁱ Bulfinch, p. 21.

A few weeks before the winter solstice, the Calabrian shepherds came into Rome to play on the pipes. Ovid alludes to this when he says:

“ Ante Deūm matrem cornu tibicen adunco
Cum canit, exiguę quis stipis aera neget.”
— (Epist. i. 1. ii.)
i. e., “ When to the mighty mother pipes the swain,
Grudge not a trifle for his pious strain.”

This practice is kept up to the present day.
The ancient Germans, for centuries before “ the true Sun of Justice” was ever heard of, celebrated annually, at the time of the Winter Solstice, what they called their Yule-feast. At this feast agreements were renewed, the gods were consulted as to the future, sacrifices were made to them, and the time was spent in jovial hospitality. Many features of this festival, such as burning the yule-log on Christmas-eve, still survive among us. ^j
Yule was the old name for Christmas. In French it is called Noel, which is the Hebrew or Chaldee word Nule. ^k

^j See Bible for Learners, vol. iii. p. 67, and Chambers, art. “Yule.”
^k See Chambers, art. “Yule,” and “Celtic Druids,” p. 162.

The greatest festival of the year celebrated among the ancient Scandinavians, was at the Winter solstice. They called the night upon which it was observed, the “Mother-night.” This feast was named Jul — hence is derived the word Yule — and was celebrated in honor of Freyr (son of the Supreme God Odin, and the goddess Frigga), who was born on that day. Feasting, nocturnal assemblies, and all the demonstrations of a most dissolute joy, were then authorized by the general usage. At this festival the principal guests received presents — generally horses, swords, battle-axes, and gold rings— at their departure. ^l

^l Mallet’s Northern Antiquities, pp. 110 and 355. Knight: p. 87.

Doane, Bible Myths and their Parallels
in other Religions, 7th ed., pp. 366 et seq.

Doane, Bible Myths pp. 361 et seq.

Martian Visitor: Quoted excerpts
and Footnotes to: Bible Myths.
INDEX of Subjects.

Martian Visitor ( Home )

Metaphysics: Which is PRIMARY?

The Pagan origins of Easter

THE WORLD’S
SIXTEEN CRUCIFIED SAVIORS
or
Christianity Before Christ
CONTAINING
New, Startling and Extraordinary Revelations In
Religious History, Which Disclose The Oriental
Origin Of All The Doctrines, Principles,
Precepts, And Miracles Of The
CHRISTIAN NEW TESTAMENT
And Furnishing A Key For Unlocking Many Of
It’s Sacred Mysteries, Besides comprising the
History Of 16 HEATHEN CRUCIFIED GODS
BY
KERSEY GRAVES Copyright, 1875