The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1890-01-24
PERs1A's -BAHjsM-
Iht" New Religion That Is Wrestling with
the Faith of Islam.

Ihe" New Religion That Is Wrestling with
the Faith of Islam.
Ihe Following Is brief but genuine ac.
count OF the origin, growth aud present
STATUS Of the new religion called Babisrn. a
lorm OF lalth which, we are assured by Jean
anagnet, writer and traveller Just returned
from Persia, seems likely ere long to snnar-
sede all tho other forms Of belief prevailing
IN that land. NJ. Cahagnet kindly translated
and furnished the editor with the following
sketch from the Forthcoming work OH the re.
ligious beliefs Of Persia:
IL appears that new religious sect has
since 1s43 been organizing in central Aso.
ana mas now become powerful opponent to
Mohammeds adherents Fortunately for the
progress Of the world, the founder, Mira
Ah-Alonammed, seems to have been in I'd
vance OF both Judaism and Islamism. hnv.
ing initiated neither tho intolerance and self
righteousness of the former nor the fatalistic
creed of the latter. This must be attributed TO
the character of its founder, who, when only
u years of age, began his missionary work,
Tor which he was qualified by natural genius,
also ny earnest inquiry into the Scriptures,
the Koran, and by discussion with the Jews
Of his country.
de Is described as a young man of impos-
ing aspect and charming features, gaining
the admiration Of his hearers by his personal
attractions and the charm of his eloouence
His life is In strict accordance with his doc
tr1nes, "hlcf, are remarkable for their ten
derness, humanity and sympathy,
After having paid visit to Mecca he pub
listed q commentary on a part Of the Koran.
which audacity was a total breach Of ancient
customs, the much more so because he there
In introduced some novel doctrines From
That time IN, aorf,S Sy,v liz
enormous success, and declared himself to be
the "Bab, i. e., the door" through which
one arrlveth at the knowledge of God The
Islam priests could no longer ignore the agi-
tatlon caused by this young preacher, so after
having been ignominiously defeated by him
ut public conference, they arranged an an
peal to the civil power. Bah aud bis follow
ers suffered persecution, and this proved the
beginning of the spread of Babism. Mission
aries were sent to 1spahan, to the north and
west districts, and everywhere they met with
grand success, though constantly prosecuted
by the clergy and the kings agents, until
they decided to take up arms. The war ragged
In Persia with alternate successes and defeats
Of the reformers. Finally Bah was captured
and put to death as he was trying to make
his escape.
The government then considered the uues-
tion settled forever. The new religion, how
ever, did not depend on the presence of Bah,
three-quarters of his adherents never having
seen him, and another Bah was nominated,
to whom the believers declared the crown of
Persia legitimately belonged. The persecu-
tons continued, and the punishment OF the
captives was beyond measure cruel Women
and children fearlessly marched to their exc.
cutlon, and seemed to rival each other in
hopeful and courageous resignation, singing
this verse: Yes, truly we have come from
God, and now return to him" These spec
tacles, far from running the prospects Of the
new sect gained them many partisans, and
the new Bah, who at present resides in Bag
dad, is only waiting for an opportunity to
conquer by arms the Persia whose faith he
has already slbdued. Perhaps we shall Wit
ness one day the ruin of the Persian dynasty
and see Mohammed's religion defeated in the
countries Of central Asia
Bnblsm is a return to the ancient Panthe
ism. presented in novel and attractive
form, and when Bah said, 'God is the abso-
lutte being, beside whom nothing exists; all
beings are but feeble emanations from his
omnipotence; on the day of Judgment you
shall be united to him." he only reawakened
and restored the old sentiment that has been
dormant for centuries. Its adherents include
the foremost of Persian clergy and dgnita-
!les, US wei us philosophers and poets. Bah
ism has much of the oriental form of wor-
ship, but it teaches charity, peace and mo-
nogamy. thas a tendency to lay foundation
for family life, SO little known in the east,
and gives to woman higher and noblel
sphere of action.
A sect which in a few years caused such
revolution in country where neither rail
ways, letter post, nor newspapers existed,
and that has taken such great step i'll atl-
vance of other orentals must needs impress
us with the hope of a better and greater fu-
t'1re for eastern countries. Worlds