Gnosticism

Early endeavor, made in infinite variety of form, to use Christianity as the means of propagating a theosophic Pantheism, expre ed in the guise of emanation ist mythologies. The Gnostics were usually dualists, and ascribed creation to a Demiurge, subordinate or opposed to the original Deity. Their importance was intellectual rather than practical, and chiefly ab. 50-220. The leading names were Cerinthus, Basilides, Marcion, Val ent in us, and Barde sanes. Gnu. Sometimes called Horned Horse; really an Antelope, indigenous to S. Africa, where it a ociates with the Quagga. The horns are broad at the base, bend downward to the eves, and then upward and forward. There is a stiff mane of short bristles; the tail resembles that of the horse. The head is oxlike and has bristles about the nose. Size, 4 ft. high by 9 ft. long. The Brindled Gnu is larger, has stripes on the shoulder, and the horns turn outward instead of forward. It is found in Zululand.