Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-10-03
zoRoAsTRlANs OF PERSIA.
They Are Much Prosecuted and
UnJustly Judged People.

They Are "A Much Prosecuted and
UnJustly 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 10 have been I'm
the province OF Azarbaijan. 10 the west
OF the Caspian sea. region Astounding
In volcanic mountains. hot springs,
naphtha wells and other igneous phe-
nomena. BY Inheritance he was men,
Der OF the sacerdotal tribe OF the Magi
and 10y calling forerunner OF the wise
men from the east who worshiped cen
turtles later ut the cradle i'm Bethlehem.
Inspired by ecstatic visions. OF heaven
and warned by prophetic Aigns OF the
terrors NJ he'll. he came TO t9ach his
people the ethical meaning OF the con-
fict 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. e. sought to
lead his followers to more spiritual
life and 60 teach them the moral sig
nifcance or 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 ut Balkh. In eastern Iran. about
5SS Il. 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 I'm Bacteria. 1t was by
Ormazd'S Will that the sovereign rulers
OF these lands held sway. kings 10y di-
vine right Cyrus the Great is called
the Lord's amounted" 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 10y name Persia
is MohImncdan. the PerSians are
MussUin1nS by faith. and Islam has
blot;cd out much OF the ancient history
and creed. The ZorOa Strians of Persia.
stigmatzcd us Gabars. number not
more than 10000 souls Yezd is the
home OF about 5000 OF these. Kirman,
smaller city to the southeast. claims
about 1000 more. Teheran. the CAPT
tai. near where Zoroaster's mother is
said to have been born. has less than
800. Shlraz numbers not fifty OF the
ancient belief, Isfahau Il half dozen
and some OF the minov towns can each
add three o. four more 10 make up
the talcsman'S count. Frowned upon
rs fire worshipers." which they really
are not. dCspisei or prosecuted as in
tidels. surrounded Ivy business res. ric-
lions and social disabilities. the Jews
OF the east" as they are sometimes
called. maintain their lives ut hich
cost. And W, thcy possess admirable
qualities. and ii is these characteristics
that have preserved their religion from
being utterly effaced. Through ages
OF misfortune and distress they have
remained true TO II. and by their stcr-
ling traits OF truth, uprightness. gen
crosby and devotion they still exem-
plify what was best In it-A. V. VIII
llams Jackson I'm Century.