I. Circumcision is a very ancient rite, and of heathen origin, though we
are told in Genesis that it was a command of God to Abraham; and it was
nationalized by Moses. It was considered by the Jews a very important
religious rite, and has been practiced by them from their earliest
history. So highly was this ordinance esteemed amongst them, that it
was in some cases performed twice. According to Herodotus and Diodorus,
instead of the Jews getting the command direct from God, they borrowed
the custom of the Assyrians; and Josephus silently assents to its truth;
and J. G. Wilkinson says, "It was established in Egypt long before
Joseph was sold into that country," which furnishes evidence of its
existence before the time of Moses.
Among the Jews this rite was performed on the eighth day after birth:
all converts to their religion, and all servants, had to submit to the
ordinance.
Jerome says that in his day a majority of the Idumæans, Moabites,
Ammonites, and Ishmaelites were circumcised. The ancient Phoenicians
also observed this rite, and the aboriginal Mexicans likewise. The
Mahomedans also practice it; and, although the Koran does not enjoin it,
it has been practiced wherever that religion has been adopted. The rite
is performed on both sexes in Arabia. This rite was practiced by the
early Christians. Even the wise Paul gave practical sanction to this
ordinance in the case of Timothy. The Coptic and Abyssinian Christian
churches still observe the custom. A circumcision festival was
established in the Church, and kept on the 1st of January in
commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus.
The toleration of this rite by the Jews and Christians shows that they
were dwelling on the animal plane,--that they had not risen to that high
state of spirituality which would lead them to abandon such heathenish
ordinances and customs. It is so repulsive to refined society, that some
civilized nations have enacted laws interdicting the custom. Yes, this
senseless, cruel, heathenish rite has to some extent been abandoned, and
must ere long entirely disappear from the earth. It can not withstand
the lights of science and civilization: it is a childish, senseless,
obscene, vulgar, heathenish, cruel, and disgusting superstition.
II. FASTING AND FEASTING.
A total ignorance of the laws of health is indicated as existing amongst
the disciples of all the ancient religions by the alternate extremes of
fasting and feasting. The latter is injurious to health, and the former,
also, if long continued, as was frequently the case. But the subject
of health did not occupy the minds of religious enthusiasts. They knew
nothing of the laws of health, and cared less if possible. Fasting is
reported, In some cases, as extending to an incredible period of time,
continuing in some cases for months. Hindoos often fasted for a week,
and in some cases, if reports are time, for several weeks. Pythagoras
of Greece fasted, it is said, forty days. Both the fasts and the feasts
were generally held to signalize or celebrate some astronomical epoch;
such as the changes of the moon, changes in the seasons, &c. The ancient
representatives of the Christian faith were much given to fasting, as
were also some of the Jews; but, at the present day, Christians, with
others, are more addicted to feasting than fasting, although fasting
is enjoined by the Bible both by precept and practice. In this respect
modern Christianity bears no resemblance to ancient Christianity.