BABYLON AND PERSIA

II.the PROPHET OF KKAN THE AVESTA.I. The religions of the world, apart from theirintrinsic differencesj may be divided into two greatclasses :those that have sacred books, and thosethat have not. The sacred books of a religion em¬body all its teachings in inatters of faith, theology,and conduct. They tell its followers what theyshould believe, what they should do and avoid doing,how they should pray, worship, conduct themselveson the momentous occasions of human life. Allthese instructions the faithful are not to take assimply advice for their general guidance, but as ab¬solutely binding, to be believed without discussion,to be obeyed without demurring. When any ques¬tion arises bearing on religious doctrine in any way,the devout believer ought not to use his own judg¬ment, but to refer to his Sacred Book, or to its privi¬leged interprcter.s, the priests. This, indeed, is themost commendable and the safer course, as the lay¬man is liable to mistakes from imperfect trainingand incomplete knowledge; while the priest mustperforce understand what he devotes his life tostudy. A doubt as to the absolute truth of any,statement, or as to the necessity or righteousness of17 C