proceed with order, and avoid all confusion, let a spacious semicircle
be left vacant in front of the altar of peace and union; let each system
of religion, and each particular sect, erect its proper distinctive
standard on the line of this semicircle; let its chiefs and doctors
place themselves around the standard, and their followers form a column
behind them.

The semicircle being traced, and the order published, there instantly
rose an innumerable multitude of standards, of all colors and of every
form, like what we see in a great commercial port, when, on a day of
rejoicing, a thousand different flags and streamers are floating from a
forest of masts.

At the sight of this prodigious diversity, I turned towards the Genius
and said:

I thought that the earth was divided only into eight or ten systems of
faith, and I then despaired of a reconciliation; I now behold thousands
of different sects, and how can I hope for concord?

But these, replied the Genius, are not all; and yet they will be
intolerant!

Then, as the groups advanced to take their stations, he pointed out to
me their distinctive marks, and thus began to explain their characters:

That first group, said he, with a green banner bearing a crescent, a
bandage, and a sabre, are the followers of the Arabian prophet. To say
there is a God, without knowing what he is; to believe the words of a
man, without understanding his language; to go into the desert to pray
to God, who is everywhere; to wash the hands with water, and not abstain
from blood; to fast all day, and eat all night; to give alms of their
own goods, and to plunder those of others; such are the means of
perfection instituted by Mahomet--such are the symbols of his followers;
and whoever does not bear them is a reprobate, stricken with anathema,
and devoted to the sword.

A God of clemency, the author of life, has instituted these laws of
oppression and murder: he made them for all the world, but has revealed
them only to one man; he established them from all eternity, though he
made them known but yesterday. These laws are abundantly sufficient
for all purposes, and yet a volume is added to them. This volume was
to diffuse light, to exhibit evidence, to lead men to perfection and
happiness; and yet every page was so full of obscurities, ambiguities,
and contradictions, that commentaries and explanations became necessary,
even in the life-time of its apostle. Its interpreters, differing i