nd poetical scholars of Persia. He began to plan the new
religion at the age of eighteen, but did not reveal it until he was
twenty-five years old. The foundation of his faith was this: Mohammed,
like Christ, taught that the latter days will be a millennium. They
have a tradition that when all the prophets had died, or had been
killed by their enemies, a son six years of age was, by the direction
of Allah, hid in an unknown well. He was to remain there until the time
for the millennium. It was believed that he would be the ruler of the
Mohammedans in these last days.

He was to lead both his victorious armies and conquer all the world,
and Islam would become the universal religion. Mirza Mohammed Ali based
his doctrine on this theory but changed it somewhat. At the age of
twenty-five he made several pilgrimages to shrines, such as Karballa,
Mecca, and Medina, and then returned to his native town of Shiraz. At
first he began to teach his doctrine to his confidential friends and
relatives until it was deepened in their hearts. And then he began to
preach to the public that he was Mehdeialzaman.

HIS DOCTRINE.

He taught that every age must have its own prophet, inspired from God.
He claimed that he was inspired and that he had frequent communications
from God telling him how to direct the people. He openly claimed to be
Mehdeialzaman. And he taught that the priesthood and the religion were
corrupt and that he was appointed to renew them. He did not oppose the
Koran, but at the same time said that every age needs a new bible. He
claimed to have received a bible from God. This book is called Bayon,
meaning exposition. He taught the equality of both sexes and paid
homage to woman. He showed that it was against the law of God to marry
more than one woman or to keep concubines. Further, it is against the
law of society and the happiness of women to marry more than one wife.
The law of divorce, which is common among Mohammedans, was not
practised by the new sect. The place of woman among them is the same as
among Christians. The prophet taught that the spirit of charity ought
to be as a flame of fire in the hearts of his followers. He said we
cannot please God if we see our brother in need and do not help him, if
we pray He will not hear us, if we worship Him He will turn His face
away from us. Believing this, the spirit of charity is very strong
among them, and they support the needy. The use of wine and all
intoxicants i