Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 3

THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 103
such as a hare, but when arrows were pointed at them, barbed -with silver,
or muskets loaded with silver coins for shot, the semblance of the hare
disappeared at once, and some shrivelled, decrepit hag of a witch wife
stood before the shooter in full size !
We have now finished the remarks which we had prepared in illustra-
tion of what formed the subject of these papers, and have to crave the
reader's indulgence to its many imperfections. We ought, all of us, to
learn one lesson from the subject under review, and that is, gratitude to
the Great Eider of all things, because he has cast our lot under more
favourable circumstances, and because we live in these realms under the
light and the liberty of a preached Gospel The press and the pulpit
have now opened the eyes of men, the schoolmaster is abroad, and the
many superstitions by which past ages have been deluded have greatly
vanished before the pure light of evangelic truth. Where are now the
multitudinous creations of the old Greek and Koraan mythologies 1
Where are their Lares, and their Penates, their Fauns, Satyrs, Nymphs,
Dryads, Hama-Dryads — their gods and goddesses ? Where are they now 1
In many quarters of the world they have disappeared before the lustre of
that revelation which has bi'ought the truth of immortality to light, and
which impresses the imagination of man with ti-uer notions and simpler
imagery. The true but stern morality of the Christian religion will make
man sensible of his duty here, and of his responsibilities hereafter, and
will wean his mind from every superstition and idolatry. We cannot
but admire the dauntless courage of Paul, Avhen, at Athens, he boldly
faced the Epicurian and Stoic philosophers — when " he stood in the
midst of Mars' HUl, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in aU
things, ye are too superstitious." There he met a people, the most
distinguished for the wisdom of their political constitution, for the
brilliancy of their achievements, for the extent and variety of their learn-
ing, and for the refinement of their manners ; yet a peoiDle who, amid aU
their glory and renown, were ignorant of the true God, and lived the
blind and deluded victims of the grossest idolatry and superstition. It
behoves us all, therefore, to follow the example of this great advocate of
religdous liberty. Be it remembered that idolatry and superstition have
not as yet passed away from the earth, but still continue, in many regions,
to exercise an oppressive tyranny over the mmds of a large section of the
human race. An extensive field lies outstretched before us, where the most
laudable conflicts in the cause of true Christianity may be maintained, and
where the noblest triumphs may be won. Yes, every Christian has a
sphere for himself wherein to labour, a vineyard wherein to work, a
battlefield whereon to fight, and thus an opportunity to forward the great
cause of truth. Opportunity is given to all, high and low, to quit them-
selves like men, even to the honest, diligent " workman," who, with the
mighty advantages of his " club," will stand fast and firm to the interests
of truth, and to the cherishing of those principles of loyalty and integrity
by which he is himself appreciated as a useful, respected, and im-
portant member of society.