then to the religion of
Christ.[413:5]

Mosheim, the ecclesiastical historian, in speaking of the Christian
church during the second century, says:

"The profound respect that was paid to the Greek and Roman
_mysteries_, and the extraordinary sanctity that was
attributed to them, induced the Christians to give their
religion a _mystic_ air, in order to put it upon an equal
footing, in point of dignity, with that of the Pagans. For
this purpose they gave the name of _mysteries_ to the
institutions of the gospel, and decorated, particularly the
holy sacrament, with that solemn title. They used, in that
sacred institution, as also in that of baptism, several of the
terms employed in the heathen mysteries, and proceeded so far
at length, as even to adopt some of the rites and ceremonies
of which those renowned mysteries consisted."[413:6]

We have seen, then, that the only difference between Christianity and
Paganism is that Brahma, Ormuzd, Osiris, Zeus, Jupiter, etc., are called
by another name; Crishna, Buddha, Bacchus, Adonis, Mithras, etc., have
been turned into Christ Jesus: Venus' pigeon into the Holy Ghost; Diana,
Isis, Devaki, etc., into the Virgin Mary; and the demi-gods and heroes
into saints. The exploits of the one were represented as the miracles of
the other. Pagan festivals became Christian holidays, and Pagan temples
became Christian churches.

Mr. Mahaffy, Fellow and Tutor in Trinity College, and Lecturer on
Ancient History in the University of Dublin, ends his "Prolegomena to
Ancient History" in the following manner:

"There is indeed, hardly a great or fruitful idea in the
Jewish or Christian systems, which has not its analogy in the
(ancient) Egyptian faith. The development of the one God into
a _trinity_; the incarnation of the mediating deity in a
Virgin, and without a father; his conflict and his momentary
defeat by the powers of darkness; his partial victory (for the
enemy is not destroyed); his resurrection and reign over an
eternal kingdom with his justified saints; his distinction
from, and yet identity with, the uncreate incomprehensible
Father, whose form is unknown, and who dwelleth not in temples
made with hands--_all these theological conceptions pervade
the oldest religion of Egypt_. So, too, the contrast and even
the apparent inconsistencies between our moral a