ronomical meaning, _and that the ancient religion_ of
_China partook_ of _star-worship, one of the oldest heresies in the
world_.[545:1]

In _India_ the Sun, Moon, Stars and the powers of Nature were worshiped
and personified, and each quality, mental and physical, had its emblem,
which the Brahmans taught the ignorant to regard as realities, till the
Pantheon became crowded.

"Our Aryan ancestors learned to look up to the sky, the Sun, and the
dawn, and there to see the presence of a living power, half-revealed,
and half-hidden from their senses, those senses which were always
postulating something beyond what they could grasp. They went further
still. In the bright sky they perceived an _Illuminator_, in the
all-encircling firmament an _Embracer_, in the roar of the thunder or in
the voice of the storm they felt the presence of a _Shouter_ and of
furious _Strikers_, and out of the rain they created an _Indra_, or
giver of rain."[545:2]

Prof. Monier Williams, speaking of "the hymns of the _Veda_," says:

"To what deities, it will be asked, were the prayers and hymns
of these collections addressed? The answer is: They worshiped
_those physical forces_ before which _all nations_, if guided
solely by the light of nature, have in the early period of
their life, instinctively bowed down, and before which even
the most civilized and enlightened have always been compelled
to bend in awe and reverence, if not in adoration."[545:3]

The following sublime description of _Night_ is an extract from the
_Vedas_, made by Sir William Jones:

"Night approaches, illumined with stars and planets, and,
looking on all sides with numberless eyes, overpowers all
meaner lights. The immortal goddess pervades the firmament,
covering the low valleys and shrubs, the lofty mountains and
trees, but soon she disturbs the gloom with celestial
effulgence. Advancing with brightness, at length she recalls
her sister _Morning_; and the nightly shade gradually melts
away. May she at this time be propitious! She, in whose early
watch we may calmly recline in our mansions, as birds repose
upon the trees. Mankind now sleep in their towns; now herds
and flocks peacefully slumber, and the winged creatures, swift
falcons, and vultures. O Night! avert from us the she-wolf
and the wolf; and, oh! suffer us to pass thee in soothing
rest! Oh, morn! remo