It is, then, by those shadows of the hoary Past and their fantastic silhouettes on the external screen of every religion and philosophy, that we can, by checking them as we go along, and comparing them, trace out finally the body that produced them.

Summary

This quote suggests that the shadows of the past, represented by the religious and philosophical beliefs that have evolved over time, can serve as a guide for understanding the origins and development of these beliefs. By examining and comparing these shadows, one can uncover the underlying foundation and principles behind them. Essentially, the quote suggests that tracing the origins of religious and philosophical ideas can be accomplished by critically analyzing the historical context and ideologies that gave rise to them.

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