History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

206 HISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP. Iv.

intelligence to which Hormazd has committed the care of nature,—to take in our actions their attributes for models,—to copy in our conduct the harmony which reigns in the different parts of the universe,—and generally to honour Hormazd (the Almighty, as he is styled in the Avesta) in all that he has produced.

“The second point of the religion of the Parsis consists in detesting the author of all evil, moral and physical, Ahreman—his productions, and his works; and to contribute, as far as in us lies, to exalt the glory of Hormazd, by enfeebling the tyranny which the Evil Principle exercises over the world which the Good Principle has created.

“On these two points bear the prayers, the religious practices, the civil usages, and the moral precepts which are presented in the Zend and Pehlevi books ; and these different objects arise, as we shall see, from the theological ideas of the legislator of the Persians.

“Prayer is one of the duties most strongly enjoined, because man, continually exposed to the assaults of Ahreman (the evil principle) stands in need of the succour which it procures; and because it affords opportunity for those intelligences to whom it is addressed, to fulfil the object for which they were created.

“The priest prays for himself, for all the Parsis, and in particular, as in the days of Herodotus, for the

king whom Hormazd has placed over his people ; and,