(Christ
Jesus), the desire of all nations. His other name, Adonis, is
almost the very Hebrew word 'Our Lord,' a well-known title of
Christ."[220:3]

So it seems that the ingenious and most learned orthodox Dr. Parkhurst
was _obliged_ to consider Adonis a type of "the promised Saviour (Christ
Jesus), the desire of all nations." This is a very favorite way for
Christian divines to express themselves, when pushed thereto, by the
striking resemblance between the Pagan, virgin-born, crucified, and
resurrected gods and Christ Jesus.

If the reader is satisfied that all these things are types or symbols of
what the "_real Saviour_" was to do and suffer, he is welcome to such
food. The doctrine of Dr. Parkhurst and others comes with but an ill
grace, however, from Roman Catholic priests, _who have never ceased to
suppress information when possible_, and when it was impossible for them
to do so, they claimed these things to be the work of the devil, in
imitation of their predecessors, the Christian Fathers.

Julius Firmicius has said: "The devil has his Christs," and does not
deny that _Adonis_ was one. Tertullian and St. Justin explain all the
conformity which exists between _Christianity_ and _Paganism_, by
asserting "that a long time before there were Christians in existence,
the devil had taken pleasure to have their future mysteries and
ceremonies copied by his worshipers."[221:1]

_Osiris_, the Egyptian Saviour, after being put to death, _rose from the
dead_,[221:2] and bore the title of "_The Resurrected One_."[221:3]

Prof. Mahaffy, lecturer on ancient history in the University of Dublin,
observes that:

"The _Resurrection_ and reign over an eternal kingdom, by an
_incarnate mediating deity_ born of a virgin, was a
theological conception which pervaded the oldest religion of
Egypt."[221:4]

The ancient Egyptians celebrated annually, in early spring, about the
time known in Christian countries as Easter, the resurrection and
ascension of Osiris. During these mysteries the misfortunes and tragical
death of the "_Saviour_" were celebrated in a species of drama, in which
all the particulars were exhibited, accompanied with loud lamentations
and every mark of sorrow. At this time his image was carried in a
procession, covered--as were those in the temples--_with black veils_.
On the 25th of March his _resurrection from the dead_ was celebrated
with great festivity and rejoicings.[22