The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-12-07
ZOROASTRIANS OF PERSIA.
They Are Much Prosecuted and
UnjustIy Judged People.

They Are a Much Prosecuted and
UnjustIy Judged People.
ZOrOaster. the prophet of ancient
Iran arose about the middle of the
seventh century before Christ as re-
former of the older creed of Persia,
primitive form of nature worship
which had become debased through
corruption and Grass superstition. His
birthplace is believed to have been in
the province Of AZarbaijan. to the west
Of the Caspian sea, Il region Astounding
in volcanic mountains, hot springs,
naphtha wells and other igneous phe-
nomena. BY inheritance he was Il meEl-
Der of the Sacerdotal tribe of the Magi
and by calling Il forerunner of the wise
men from the east who wOrshiped cen
turtles later at the cradle in Bethlehem.
Inspired by ecStatic visions of heaven
and warned by prophetic signs of the
terrors of hell, he came to teach his
people the ethical meaning of the con-
flict between good and evil under the
form of OrmaZd and Ahriman as god
and devil. Filled with the hope of an
eternal existence after the general
resurrection of the dead, he sought to
lead his followers to a more spiritual
life and to teach them the moral Sig
nificance of the motto of his faith,
Good thoughts, good words, good
deeds" and to guide them also in prac-
teal ways, intoxicating the practice of
agriculture, kindness to animals, eS-
pecially the COW, habits of thrift and
industry. together with those of bodily
cleanliness and the observance of Ger
tain rites and ceremonies in their daily
life. His death is thought to have oc-
CURED at Balkh, i'll eastern Iran, about
5S3 B. c.. during the religious war be-
tween Iran and Turan, which was
called forth by his teaching +
ZoroaSter's creed became the religion
Of an eastern world empire. The law
of the Modes and Persians. which knew
no change, nodded the history of the
early kingdom of Iran, and the same de-
crees prevailed in Bacteria. 1t was by
OrmaZd'S will that the sovereign rulers
Of these lands held sway, kings by di-
vine right. Cyrus the Great is called
the Lords "anointed" and his "Shep-
herd" even in the Bible, and king by
the grace of AuramaZda' was Darius
own proud claim. The inscriptions and
the Avesta alike eXalt the sacred mai
eSty of the king. But many of those
who once were kings of ZorOaSter'S line
are now known only by name. Persia
is Mohammedan. the persians are
Inv foit IcIn
blotted out much of the ancient history
and creed. The ZoroaStrians of Persia,
stigmatiZed as Gabars, number not
more than 10000 souls Yezd Is the
home of about 5000 of these Kirman,
a smaller city TO the southeast. claims
about 1900 more Teheran, the capt.
tai. near where Zoroaster's mother is
said to have been born, has less than
300. ShraZ numbers not fifty of the
ancient belief. ISfahan half dozen
and some of the minor towns can each
add three or four more to make up
the talesman's count. Drowned upon
as fire worshipers." which they really
are not, despiSed or prosecuted as in
fidelS, surrounded by business restric-
tons and social disabilities, the Jews
of the east as they are sometimes
called, maintain their lives at high
cost. And yet they possess admirable
qualities. and it is these characteristics
that have preserved their religion from
being utterly effaced. Through ages
of misfortune and distress they have
remained true to it. and by their ster-
ling traits of truth, uprightness, gem
crosby and devotion they still exem-
plify what was best in it-A. V. Will
liams Jackson in Century