Here, as in so many cases, our information concerning pagan hymns is
derived from an opponent, a Christian writer and defender of orthodox
religion, but this circumstance in no way affects the validity of the
text.
For the Orphic cult which had the longest period of influence, we possess
what may be termed a hymn book containing eighty-seven hymns. It has been
variously dated from the third century, B.C., to the fourth or fifth
century, A.D. With a mental reservation as to the relevancy of the
citations, we find that some of these hymns in praise of the gods are
full of dignity, for instance,
Mother of Gods, great nurse of all, draw near,
Divinely honored, and regard my prayer.[49]
So debatable is the subject of the Orphic hymns, both in respect to date
and usage, that they offer little or no assistance to the student who is
interested in a possible influence upon Christian hymnology.[50]
Sooner or later, one must turn to the land of Egypt, if one desires a
complete picture of early Christian culture. The mystery of the Egyptian
Isis, mentioned above, was one element in the background of the times,
illustrative of the religious syncretism which had been fostered
throughout the Ptolemaic period. The identification of the Egyptian Thot
with the Greek Hermes is reflected in the Hermetic literature of which
the _Poimandres_ is the oldest known writing.[51] From this source a hymn
of praise is derived:
By thy blessing my spirit is illumined,
and a thanksgiving hymn,