Here was a wonderful discovery!  The mythology of Egypt was based on original tradition, handed down from Antediluvian times!  From further investigation, it was evident that the substance of Hindoo mythology came from the same source; as also that of the Greeks, Chinese, Mexicans, and Scandinavians.  This is how the Druids got the cross also:  it was in the hand of their demi-god Thor, the second person of their triad, who slew the great serpent with his famous hammer, which he bequeathed to his followers.

I was beside myself with excitement, and walked bout the room in a most agitated state.  I then made a table or harmony of these various mythologies, and when placed side by side, it was quite clear that they were just one and the same story, though dressed up in a variety of mythological forms, and that the story was none other than that of the Bible.

In my architectural journeys I used to entertain, people with these wondrous subjects; and one evening I had the honour of agitating even the Bishop of Exeter himself, who, in his enthusiasm, bade me write a book, and dedicate it to him.  I did so.  “The Cross and the Serpent” is the title of it, and it was duly inscribed to his lordship.

It excites me even now to think about it, though it is thirty-five years since I made these discoveries.  The old librarian at Oxford declared that I was mad, and yet he could not keep away from the subject, and he was never weary of hearing something more about it.  This reverend Doctor said, “If you are right, then all the great antiquaries are wrong.”  I suggested that they had not had the advantage I possessed of placing their various theories side by side, or of making their observations from my point of view.

Notwithstanding all these external labours, which engrossed my earnest and deep attention, I did not neglect my parish.  I felt, however, that my parishioners did not know anything about ecclesiastical antiquities or architectural science; and that they knew nothing, and cared less, about Church teaching.  They did not believe, with me, that in order to be saved hereafter, they ought to be in the Church, and receive the Holy Communion—­that there is no salvation out of the Church, and no Church without a Bishop.  They were utterly careless about these things and from the first had been an unsympathetic and unteachable people.  I feel sure that had it not been for other interesting occupations which engaged my mind, I should have been altogether discouraged with them.

I tried to stir them up to a zeal worthy of their ancestors, who were such good and loyal Churchmen, that King Charles the First wrote them a letter of Commendation, and commanded that it should be put up in all the churches.  I had a copy of this letter well painted, framed, and placed in a conspicuous part of my church.  Then I prepared an original sermon, which I preached, or rather read, to inaugurate the royal letter.