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CHAPTER XIII. Modern Parseeisını.
The Parsees-Their persecutions-Their principles-A Parsee catechism
The priesthood-Devotions of the laity-Festivals-Ceremonial ritesDeathbed forms-The towers of silence-Ceremonies of departed souls -Family life.-Foundation and consecration of towers.
THE PARSEES.
A PEOPLE within a people, like the Jews in England, A the Parsees have attained and maintained an influence and wealth far beyond their numerical proportion. Their persistence is in its way as strong a testimony to the power of heredity as any. The people survive by their commercial ability; their religion survives with them, like Judaism with the Jews. Persecution was long their
fate, both in Persia and India; the difficulties Persecution
of the of their struggle for existence have fixed their
Parsees. striking characteristics in a mould more tenacious of life. May we not say that they have largely preserved a pure faith in one supreme beneficent God, Ormuzd, and believe them when they repudiate the designation fire-worshippers, and reject idolatry in all forms? Fire they revere, fire is the symbol of their god, and they do not treat fire lightly in any circumstances; indeed, they are the only people who universally refrain from tobacco
Their smoking, as offending their religious principles. principles. But they are equally fixed in the determination not to defile any of the works of Ormuzd, whether earth, water, animals, or plants; and their practices of cleanliness and frequent personal ablution must have contributed
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