an orderly government, with a developed religion, practicing
agriculture, erecting dwellings and using a syllabified writing. All
modern civilization had its source there. For 6,000 years the cuneiform
or wedge-shaped writing of the Assyrians was the literary script of
the whole civilized ancient world, from the shores of the Mediterranean
to India and even to China, for Chinese civilization, old as it is,
is based upon that which obtained in Mesopotamia. In Egypt, too, at
an early date was a high form of neolithic civilization. Six thousand
years before Christ, a white-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed race
dwelt there, built towns, carried on commerce, made woven linen cloth,
tanned leather, formed beautiful pottery without the wheel, cut stone
with the lathe and designed ornaments from ivory and metals. These
were succeeded by another great race which probably migrated into Egypt
from Arabia. Among them were warriors and administrators, fine
mechanics, artisans, artists and sculptors. They left us the Pyramids
and other magnificent monumental tombs and great masses of architecture
and sculptured columns. Of course, they declined and passed away, as
all things human must; but they left behind them evidences to tell of
their prestige and power.

The scientists and geologists of our day are busy unearthing the remains
of the ancient peoples of the Eastern world, who started the waves of
civilization both to the Orient and the Occident. Vast stores of
knowledge are being accumulated and almost every day sees some ancient
treasure trove brought to light. Especially in Biblical lands is the
explorer busy unearthing the relics of the mighty past and throwing
a flood of light upon incidents and scenes long covered by the dust
of centuries.

Babylon, the mightiest city of ancient times, celebrated in the Bible