Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-03-22

LILO OI1 I)IDlC 1etuo 10 l1OU
its religions. Here every man. you
meet has his creed, and belongs to
some sect, We will inquire into the
history, belief and practice of two of
the religious denominations of Egypt
THE COPTs.
The Coptic Church is the largest
Christian sect in Egypt, numbering at
least 10000 members. They hold
that they are the descendants of the
Christians Of Apostolic times, and call
the Greek and Roman Catholics, here
tics. They are undoubtedly the best
representatives of the ancient Egypt
ians to be found in the land.
The Copts seldom intermarry with
other Egyptian races, and they refuse
to wear white or red turbans, that
they may not be taken for followers
of Mohammed. As a class they are
quite ignorant, though their education
is superior to the Moslems. The
work of Scribes and Clerks is almost
wholly in their hands.
The head of the Church is the
Patriarch of Alexandria, who claims
to occupy the chair Of St. Mark. The
Bible, which they profess is their rule
of faith and practice, is freely given
to the laity. Their creed embraces
most of the great principles of the
Gospel, though it is burdened with
many false and foolish doctrines and
ceremonies. ia many respects, their
religion resembles the Roman Catho-
lie. The alteration paid to pictures
and images, the worship Of the Virgin
and Saints, their confessional, their
festivals and fasts, their converts and
mOnasteries, their seven sacraments,
and their service in an 4nknoWn
tongue; all remind US of the Roman
ish Church. The Copts attach great
Importance to the rites Of baptism and
circumcision; like the MosIems they
have their stated seasons of daily
prayer, but unlike the followers of
the Prophet they will drink freely of
Spirituous liquors,
The women occupy a part of the
Church separated from the mems
apartments by a lattice work partit-
ion, and always wear their wells dur
ing worship. Their sanctuaries are
not provided with seats, but you are
offered a crutch upon which you may
lean during service.
THE MOSLEMS.
Nearly thirteen centuries ago, an
obscure person named MOhammed,
lived in Arabia, pretending to re-
ceive a revelation from God. He
affirmed that wnlle IN q cave ncar UIo
city of Mecca, the Angel Gabriel ap-
peared to him bringing a cOmmunica-
ton from the Almighty, and address
ed him as the Apostle of God.
/ In the twelfth year Of his mission
Mohammed gave out that he had made
night journey to Heaven. He tolC
his friends that one night as he lay
in bed, the Angel Gabriel came anC
walked him, leading him to the dOOl
of his house, where was a white heas
named Alborak, ready to take him t.
Paradise. The animal, not having
been employed since the days Of Jesus
was so wild, that Mohammed coulo
not mount. But the prophet prom
ised Alborak a place in Paradise
This quieted the beast, whereupol
Mohammed mounted, Gabriel too
the reins, and away they went t
Jerusalem much quicker than ligh
ming. There Alborak was fastene
to a rock, and Mohammed with G'
, briel ascended by a ladder to the fir:
! Heaven. On the sides of the doc
! was written "There is no God bl
God, and Mohammed is his Apostle
They knocked, and a voice inquire
"who is there ?" Gabriel" was tt
answer. WHO is that with you
e "Mohammed," said the Angel. "Con
: in, he will be very welcome" said tt
Il voice. They entered, and found {
old man which proved to be Adal
5 also many angels, who stood as sen
e nelS to guard the Holy Place again
e the intrusion of devils. The distan
e from the first to the second Heav'
e was five hundred years journey {
k men travel on earth, but Mohamm
d and Gabriel were at the second do
Ii in a single moment. Here they foul
d the same inscription, and met with t
same welcome as at the first HeavC
h, They entered and found Moab, W
IL begged an interest in the Prophe
v prayers. They passed on to
IS third Heaven where they saw Alb
lie ham. Here among many anglse, "
ID one so large that the distance betwe
I'd his two eyes was 10000 days journ
r. In the fourth Heaven, they met Mos
IL who asked an interest in the pray
es of Mohammed. In the fifth Heav
ed they found Joseph; and in the six
At |John the Baptist. Each Heaven '
an composed of different materials. I
Ter first, was of pure silver; the seco
we of gold; the third, Of precious ston
lth the fourth, of emeralds; the fifth,
ed adamant; and the sixth, ofcarbunc
Then they entered the seventh
MA highest Heaven, made of glorious Ii
tho M Hero Mohammed met Jesus and as
t;o an interest in his prayers. In
M highest Heaven, was a remarki
A Angel who had 10000 heads, {
head had 10000 mouths, each me
lee had 7O,0O0'tongues, and each ton
of uttered 10000 distinct voices
for once; and all these voices were
rty- tinually praising God. Then Gal
- told Mohammed he could 60 with
n i