Page:Deplorable effects of heathen superstition.pdf/12

 men having green branches, or palms, in their hands, approaching with great celerity. The people opened a way for them; and when they had come up to the throne, they fell down before him that sat thereon, and worshipped. And the multitude again set forth a voice ‘like the sound of a great thunder.’—But the voices I now heard, were not those of melody or of joyful acclamation; for there is no harmony in the praise of Moloch’s worshippers. The number, indeed, brought to my mind the countless multitude of the Revelations; but their voices gave no tuneful Hossanna or Hallelujah; but rather a yell of approbation, united with a kind of hissing aplauseapplause [sic]. I was at a loss to account for this latter noise, until I was directed to notice the women; who emitted a sound like that of whistling, with the lips circular, and the tongue vibrating: as if a serpent would speak by their organs, uttering human sounds.

The throne of the idol was placed on a stupendous car or tower about sixty feet in height, resting on wheels which indented the ground deeply, as they turned slowly under the ponderous Machine. Attached to it were six cables, of the size and length of a ship’s cable, by which the people drew it along. Thousands of men, women, and children pulled by each cable, crowded so closely that some could only use one hand. Infants are made to exert their strength in this office: for it is accounted a merit of righteousness to move the god. Upon the tower were the priests and satellites of the idol surrounding his