have had little effect. In referring
to this subject, Barlow says: "In the XVIIIth century it existed in
Livonia, and traces of it may still be found in the British Isles."(22)
The vast area over which tree- and plant-worship once extended, and the
tenacity with which it still clings to the human race, indicate the hold
which, at an earlier age in the history of mankind, it had taken upon
the religious feelings of mankind.

22) Essays on Symbolism, p. 118.

So closely has this worship become entwined with that of serpent and
phallic faiths, that it is impossible to consider it, even in a brief
manner, without anticipating these later developments; yet linked with
earth- and sun-worship, it doubtless prevailed for many ages absolutely
unconnected with the grosser ideas with which it subsequently became
associated.

CHAPTER III. SUN-WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN.

"When we inquire into the worship of nations in the earliest periods to
which we have access by writing or tradition, we find that the adoration
of one God, without temples or images, universally prevailed."(23)

23) Godfrey Higgins, Celtic Druids.

Underlying all the ancient religions of which we have any account, may
be observed the great energizing force throughout Nature recognized
and reverenced as the Deity. This force embraces not only the creative
energies in human beings, in animals, and in plants, but in the earlier
ages of human history it included also Wisdom, or Law--that "power by
which all things are discriminated or defined and held in their proper
places." The most renowned writers who have dealt with this subject
agree in the conclusion that, during thousands of years among all the
nations of the earth, only one God was worshipped. This God was Light
and Life, both of which proceeded from the sun, or more properly
speaking were symbolized by the sun.

In Egyptian hymns the Creator is invoked as the being who "dwells
concealed in the sun"; and Greek writers speak of this luminary as the
"generator and nourisher of all things, the ruler of the world." It is
thought, however, that neither of these nations worshipped the corporeal
sun. It was the "centre or body from which the pervading spirit, the
original producer of order, fertility, and organization, continued to
emanate to preserve the mighty structure which it had formed."

It is evident that at an early age, both in Egypt and in India,
spiritual