The History of Ancient America, Anterior to the Time of Columbus / Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and Israelites; and the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere By The Apostle St. Thomas

by George Jones

CHAPTER VII.

THE RELIGIOUS AND NATIONAL ANALOGIES BETWEEN THE TYRIANS AND MEXICAN ABORIGINES—THE TRADITIONS OF THE LATTER, &c.

SECTION I.

ANALOGIES IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND IDOLS OF WORSHIP—SATURN—APOLLO—ASTARTE, &c.—THE EMBLEM OF THE CROSS, &c.

In investigating the important similitudes contemplated in this, and the following Sections of the present Chapter, the word Mexican (for convenience) will be understood to comprehend all the Western Continent in its ancient condition—not essentially North America;—and by the words "ancient condition" we would be understood to mean, that period of time, anterior to the landing of Columbus. [1492 A. D.] The Tyrian customs will be brought forward, and then compared with the Mexican. The history of Tyrus will not be required here, that interesting branch of our subject is reserved for the Second Book of the present Volume.

The Religious ceremonies of the Tyrians would have been lost, but for their being preserved by the Carthaginians,—a colony from Tyrus,—and between whom there existed the strictest union and friendship,—and may justly be supposed to have practised the manners and customs of the Parent country. The Tyrians, also, would follow the customs of the Sidonians, and the Canaanites, their original ancestors. Gathering, therefore, evidences of Religious ceremonies from Canaan, Sidon, Tyrus, and Carthage,—for they were all of the Phœnician family,—we shall include those nations under one general term,—viz. Tyrian,—for the same convenience as the term Mexican is used.

Not only will the Tyrian customs be gathered from the nations mentioned, but from the Bible also,—so that the reader will perceive, that the ground for sustaining our superstructure is not a light, or a sandy one.

The Tyrians were essentially Idolators,—so were the ancient Mexicans,—the former built Temples to their plurality of Gods,—the latter did the same.

The Tyrians sacrificed human beings upon the unhallowed dedication of their temples:—the Mexicans followed this horror of a false Religion to its full extent; for at the dedication of the last chief Temple of Mexico, nearly seventy thousand captives, taken during four years' warfare, were sacrificed to propitiate their Deities!