worshippers of Fire and of the Sun, but it seems clear that this is not really part of their religion. "God, according to the Parsis, is the embodiment of glory, refulgence, and light, and a Parsi engaged in prayer is directed to stand before fire, or with face to the sun, as proper symbols of the Almighty. Fire is the best and noblest representative of the Divinity, in its brightness, activity, purity, and incorruptibility; while the sun is the best and most useful of God's creation."
Fire, then, is worshipped only, if at all, as the representative of Him who is Himself Eternal Light, and as such the practice is very ancient among Aryan nations.
The principles of the Parsi religion, as sketched above, are those which may fairly be deduced from their sacred books, and such as are held by the most enlightened and cultivated members of their community. But, like other religions, the beliefs actually held by the more ignorant have become much corrupted and debased.
In order to avoid persecution from their neighbours, the Parsis at one time or another adopted many Hindu customs; they neglected the study of their sacred books, and, as a natural consequence, their religion became corrupted and almost idolatrous. The vulgar and unlearned ceased to see in fire only the symbol of Divine Light, and adored the
