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

CHapP. V.] THE PRIESTHOOD. 235

fashion all the chapters requiring to be repeated on occasions of religious ceremonies, for which services they received the regulated fees, and out of which they mainly derived their subsistence. The priesthood is a hereditary profession among the Parsis. The priest does not acquire his position from sacerdotal fitness or superior learning. Strictly speaking, he cannot be called a spiritual guide. The son of a priest is also a priest unless he chooses to follow another profession, which is not prohibited to him. But a layman cannot be a priest. They resemble the Levites.

The Parsi religion does not, however, sanction this hereditary office, which is, indeed, contrary to the ancient law. The custom is merely derived from usage, Ignorant and unlearned as these priests were, they did not and could not command the respect of the laity. The latter were more enlightened and educated than the former, and hence the position of the so-called spiritual guides had fallen into contempt. The consequence was that some of the priests had of late years given up a profession which had ceased to be honourable, and had betaken themselves to useful and industrious occupations, whilst a few had become contractors for constructing railroads in the Bombay Presidency.

Five-and-twenty years ago an attempt was first commenced to impart a healthy stimulus to the priesthood for the study of their religious books by the