The Bible of Bibles; Or, Twenty-Seven "Divine" Revelations. Kersey Graves
borrowed both. But that is impossible: for the Christian system is known to be much younger.
2. Those Oriental religions are all conservative in character; so that there has been scarcely any perceptible change in their doctrines during the thousands of years of their known existence. Hence their very nature would preclude them from borrowing any new doctrines.
3. On the contrary, the Jewish mind has been very vacillating. A disposition to change their religion has been constantly manifested through their whole history. Such facts as these settle the question.
CHAPTER IX.—BIBLES
I. THE SOFFEES' BIBLE—THE MUSNAVI.
The Bible of the Soffees, the "Musnavi", teaches that God exists everywhere and in every thing; that the soul of man, and the principle of life throughout all nature, are not from God, but of God, and constitute a part of his essence; that nothing exists essentially but God; and that "all nature abounds with Divine Life." Mr. Malcom, in his "History of the Moguls" (p. 269), says: "The Soffees are incessantly occupied in adoring the Almighty, and in a search after truth." They are passionately fond of poetry and music (two essential elements of civilization). Their Bible teaches many beautiful moral lessons.
II. THE PARSEES' BIBLE—"BOUR DESOT."
The Parsees' Bible is entitled Bour Desch, which means "Genesis; or, the Beginning of Things." Its cosmogony is similar to that of Moses, though more definite, and probably written at an earlier period. Its Eden, or primitive paradise, lasted three thousand years before Kipo (the Devil) entered, plucked the fruit, handed it to the woman, and thus caused her downfall, and, after her, that of the whole human race.
III. THE TAMALESE BIBLE.
We have space for but little more than the titles of other Bibles.
The Tamalese "Holy Book" was known as the "Kalivodkam," and contains some excellent moral precepts.
IV. SCANDINAVIAN BIBLE.
Saga, meaning "Wisdom," is the name of the Scandinavian "Inspired Volume," so called because it was believed to have emanated from the fountain of divine wisdom.
V. THE KALMUCS' BIBLE.
Kaliocham, the Kalmucs' Bible, was believed to contain in repletion "all the wisdom of God and man."
VI. THE ATHENIAN BIBLE.
The ancient Athenians had what they claimed to be a "Holy and God-derived Book," called "The Testament." Dinarchus alludes to it in his speech against Demosthenes. It was read with deep, solemn awe and devoutness.
VII. THE CABALISTS' BIBLE.
Yohar, or "Book of Light," the Bible of the Cabalists, relates some wonderful cures and miracles performed by that sect.
CHAPTER X.—THE MAHOMEDAN BIBLE—THE KORAN.
The Koran, or Alkoran, is the most modern in its origin of 22 in the list, having been penned six hundred years later than the Christian Bible. It differs from most other Bibles in being the production of a single author, and, for this reason, possesses more uniformity of style and fewer contradictions than most other Bibles. Mahomet did not claim to be its author, and did not write it, but merely dictated it to his secretary Zaid. Like the founder of the Christian religion, and nearly all the other great religions of the world, he was very illiterate. Incarnate Gods and religious chieftains possess no aspiration to become scholars, and no taste for science. They were governed by feeling and the impulse of religious enthusiasm, which have no affinity for science. Mahomet, however, did not profess to be a God, but merely a prophet. The Koran, having originated in a later and more enlightened age than the Christian Bible, possesses some superior features, and, of course, is superior to still older Bibles. It is more consistent in its teachings on the subject of temperance, as it does not, like the Christian Bible, both sanction and condemn the use of intoxicating drinks; but uniformly forbids the use of it, and even prohibits the manufacture of it. It also shows more respect for the rights of woman by providing for her maintenance by dowry. It levies a tax on its disciples of two and one-fourth per cent for the support of the poor. It enjoins not only kindness and respect for enemies, but a careful provision for their wants.
The disciples of the Koran were taught and believed that the Holy Book was originated in heaven, and had long been preserved there by its divine author Allah, and, in the fullness of time, was handed down, chapter at a time, by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Mahomet; and his scribe Zaid recorded it. The leading doctrines of the Koran are: the Unity of the Godhead, and the perfection of his attributes; the joys of paradise, and the terrors of hell; the awful fate of unbelievers in the Koran. The Day of Judgment is held up as a terror to evildoers and skeptics, and an encouragement to the faithful. Skeptics, or unbelievers in the Koran and the Mahomedan religion, are repeatedly consigned to the same terrible fate (the fires of hell) that Christ consigns the unbeliever in the Christian religion, and the same as that to which the founders of other religions doom those who reject or disbelieve their pretended revelations. The Koran abounds in precepts of a high moral tone.
Mahomet holds out the idea that Christ was created like Adam, and therefore was but a man, though a true servant of God. This, he asserts, was the view of Christ himself. The doctrine that God could have a son, or that there could be more than one person in the Godhead, was to him profanity, infidelity, and downright blasphemy. It is repeatedly denounced in strong terms in the Koran. All prayer and praises to God are addressed to him in the singular number. I will cite a few texts in illustration: "Praise be to God, Lord of all worlds, the compassionate and merciful King. Thee only do we worship, and to thee only do we cry for help. Guide us in the right path." "The sun is God's noonday brightness; the moon followeth him: the day revealeth his glory; and the night enshroudeth him." "He built the heavens, and spread forth the earth." "And whoso shall fear God, and do good works, no fear shall come upon them, neither shall they be put to grief. But those who turn away from him, he will consign to eternal fire." "To those who believe (the Koran), and do things which are right, hath God promised forgiveness and a noble recompense."
II. THE MORMONS' BIBLE—THE BOOK OF MORMON; ALSO "THE REVELATIONS OF JOSEPH SMITH."
This sacred book is claimed to have