re destroyed at
the Mohammedan conquest by Khalif Omar, so that we have now
very few books remaining; viz. the Vandidad, the Yazashne,
the Visparad, the Khordeh Avesta, the Vistasp Nusk, and a
few Pehlevi books. Resting our faith upon these few books,
we now remain devoted to our good Mazdiashna religion. We
consider these books as heavenly books, because God sent the
tidings of these books to us through the holy Zurthost.

Here, again, we see theological science in its infancy. 'We consider
these books as heavenly books because God sent the tidings of these
books to us through the holy Zurthost,' is not very powerful logic. It
would have been more simple to say, 'We consider them heavenly books
because we consider them heavenly books.' However, whether heavenly or
not, these few books exist. They form the only basis of the
Zoroastrian religion, and the principal source from which it is
possible to derive any authentic information as to its origin, its
history, and its real character.

* * * * *

That the Parsis are of a tolerant character with regard to such of
their doctrines as are not of vital importance, may be seen from the
following extract:

_Q._ Whose descendants are we?

_A._ Of Gayomars. By his progeny was Persia populated.

_Q._ Was Gayomars the first man?

_A._ According to our religion he was so, but the wise men
of our community, of the Chinese, the Hindus, and several
other nations, dispute the assertion, and say that there was
human population on the earth before Gayomars.

The moral precepts which are embodied in this Catechism do the highest
credit to the Parsis:

_Q._ What commands has God sent us through his prophet, the
exalted Zurthost?

_A._ To know God as one; to know the prophet, the exalted
Zurthost, as the true prophet; to believe the religion and
the Avesta brought by him as true beyond all manner of
doubt; to believe in the goodness of God; not to disobey any
of the commands of the Mazdiashna religion; to avoid evil
deeds; to exert for good deeds; to pray five times in the
day; to believe on the reckoning and justice on the fourth
morning after death; to hope for heaven and to fear hell; to
consider doubtless the day of general destruction and
resurrection; to remember always that God has done what he
willed, and