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Show Importance of the Search by Ancient Races for an Earthly Paradise By W. J. PERRY, in "Origin of Magic and Religion." The elaboration, by the Eg3rptians, of ideas connected with the life to come had tremendous consequences. It ultimately led men from the ancient East to the uttermost ends of the earth in search of the earthly paradise, the place where givers of life abounded, and immortal life, together to-gether with eternal youth, were to be enjoyed. The story of this search is one of the most romantic that can be told, for the quest lasted down to within comparatively modern times. It must not be thought that the connotation that the word paradise possesses today is identical with that which it possessed for the ancients. They seem actually, like the Spaniards with their Fountains of Youth, to have believed in a place on the earth where immortal life was to be enjoyed, en-joyed, not in some mythical region that never existed except in men's fancies, as we now know to be the case. It is quite obvious that the idea of an earthly paradise, once elaborated, elab-orated, would prove a most potent attractive force. For what, stronger incentive to adventure could be offered to mortal man? The lure of wealth would be as nothing compared with it. The instinct of self-preservation, the desire to preserve life, and to avert death, would cause men to brave any dangers, if at the end of their search they thought that they could gain these boons in such happy surroundings. |