If there is a beast that can rival the snake for ugliness and the horror it inspires, it is surely the crocodile, yet this great creature is looked upon as a god by many black tribes.
The Egyptians built for him, temples containing large basins, carved in marble. Many cities near the Nile, from Memphis to Thebes, had sacred crocodiles.
These horrible reptiles had no need to hide in the mire to lie in wait for cattle who came to drink in the river, or even for human flesh. Well-nourished with delicate meats, which were brought to them by numerous servants, and presented on the end of golden prongs; and they also received, on certain days, the worship and the prayers of the people. It was a happy omen when these monsters devoured greedily, not only the flesh of the victims sacrificed, but cakes made of fine flour, with wine and hydromel.
The inhabitants of Central Africa and Madagascar also had the same superstitious fear and the same worship. Many Negro tribes worshipped the crocodiles as gods; they have feasts in their honor when they dance at the sound of weird music, and parade upon the shore of the river.
In this land of Bibles, we do not see such heathen worship; and we may well be thankful for it; but God holds us much more responsible, and if we ruse Christ as our Saviour, we shall be lost for eternity.
ML 01/7/1946