New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-16

people listened to them with respect, though they
did not always follow their advice and that tx"
admired the scrupulous, if ostentatlous. man.
in which the Pharisces fulfilled the lnnumerapIe
and burdenkome precepts Of the Law. But IN the
main they appear to have looked on the Pharisees
rather as a body of holy men. than as natiohai
leaders who were drawing their strength ana IN
spiration from the great foundations Of popular
feeling. and whose hearts were heating in unison
with the desires and aspirations OF the Whole
community Out of the entire population OF
Palestine the Pharisces only amounted to 5000
men, and these numbers conclusively prove that
the Pharisaic party had no attraction for the great
bulk of the population" Their principles were
too exclusive for popularity. They really con-
stituted q kind Of religious ariStOcracy. 10
them the ordinary Jew was an unclean being
and they avoided him as If he were no better
than q heathen.'
They may be compared with the Wahabees. who
are the Pharisecs of Islansrn, in fact; but il the
PhariSees were exclusive, the Essences were much
more 50. These latter did not. it is true, follow
the law with rigor. They even rejected sacrifice
as enjoined by the law: But in the articles Of
personal publication and in all matters
relating TO social AFFAIRS they were so
scrupulous that their practice naturally and in
evitably led them TO mOnastic secluSon. Mr.
Morrison scarcely attempts TO describe their secret
Doctrines, which were mystical, and concerning
which comparatively little is known. lie thinks
ii quite possible that they may have taken some
doctrines from Buddhism, has been suggested
or contended, but he can find no ground whatever
for the theory which certain writers have adj
vanced, that Jesus was at any time member Of
their community or that he derived anything from
them Essenisn, indeed, must have been in es
al mn af
Christianity for it was restrictive, while the lat
ter was expansive; it aimed at the good Of O
few by rigorous segregation. whereas the teach
ings Of Jesus looked 10 the elevation and cOnsoa-
ton of the entire human race. The Essences were
the prototypes Of mOnasticsm. but that does not
imply that they had any real affinity with Christi-
anity. They, however, illustrate an interesting
phase OF thought and development, and their
tendencies when viewed Ivy the light of compare
tive religion. indicate universal line of progress.
Mr. Morrison has interesting account of
the growth Of the Jewish sentiment about the
Law, and the gradual elevation OF tradition to
an equal rank with the authoritative canon The
genesis and extension Of the Talmud furnish
material for many fascinating pages, and the
descriptions of the Temple service, Of the different
orders Of the priesthood, Of the methods Of teach
ing In the schools. Of the Sanhedrm and the
Synagogue. are full and clear. The volume is
written in a graceful and pleasing style, the cta-
tions and references are full enough to guide the
serious student to the sources the authors judg
nent is sober and mature, and . number of
Illustrations chiefly Of Jewish architectural remains,
coins and other antiquities. add to the effect Of
the work, which is by no means one Of the least
important in the excellent series to which it
"Stories OF the Motions