INTRODUCTION. 



51 



though dis])ersed over all parts of the world, they preserve their ceremonies and faith. 

 Their sacred books are the books of the Old Testament, written originally in Hebrew ; the)' 

 still expect the coming of the Messiah promised by their prophets, and observe the seventh 

 day of the week or the Sabbath. Since their dispersion, they have ceased to ofier the 

 sacrifices prescribed by the law, and instead of their ancient priests or Levites, they have 

 substituted Rabbins or learned men, who expound the law in the synagogues. Among the 

 Jewish sects are the Talmudists, so called because they receive the Talmud, a collection 

 of traditions and comments upon their sacred books ; the Caraites, who reject the absurd 

 traditions and superstitious follies of the Talmud ; the Rechabites, who live in the oases near 

 Mecca, and receive only the earlier books of the Old Testament ; and the Samaritans, who 

 still offer sacrifices on Mount Gerizim. 



4. Christianity. Although founded on Judaism, and originating among the Jews, Chris- 

 tianity teaches, that the Messiah, promised by 

 the Jewish prophets, has come, and brought 

 a new revelation to men, and that Jesus Christ 

 is this Messiah ; the New Testament contains 

 the revelations of this divine Teacher. 



Among all the religions of ancient and 

 modern times, there is none which will bear 

 the test of a rational investigation, except 

 Christianity. This is the only system which 

 can pretend to a divine origin, and the onl}^ 

 one to which mankind can look for a remedy 

 against the various moral evils which are seen 

 to pervade every branch of the great human 

 family. 



Christianity is divided into three portions . 

 the Greek, or Christian church, which is 

 established by law in Russia, prevails ii? 

 Greece, Hungary, and part of Tui'key. The 

 Roman Cathohc, Latin, or Western church, maintains the supremacy of the Pope, prevails 

 in many parts of Europe, and has a considerable number of followers in North America. 

 In some of the West India islands, in Mexico, Guatemala, and South America, it is the 

 estabhshed religion. 



The Protestants are those who protest against the Pope, and take the Bible of the Old and 

 New Testament as "Heir guide. They are divided into many sects, of which the principal 

 are Lutherans, Metht^^ '^its, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Qua- 

 kers, Unitarians, and Universalists. The Protestant religion, in its various forms, prevails 

 in the United States, England, Scotland, Wales, Holland, and some other European coun- 

 tries. 



5. Mahometanism. Islamism or Mahometanism was founded by Mahomet or IVfohammed, 

 an Arabian, who, admitting the divine mission of Moses and .Tesus Christ, and acknowledging 

 the sacred character of the Old and New Testaments, claimed to be charged widi new 

 revelations from God. Islamism teaches the immortality of the soul, a future judgment, &c. ; 

 It prescribes prayer five times a day ; frequent ablutions ; fasting during the month Ramazan ; 

 yearly alms, to the amount of the fortieth of one's persona! property ; pilgrimage to Mecca, 

 and some other rites ; the temples are called mosques, and divine service is performed in them 

 every Friday. 



The sacred book of the Mahometans is the Koran, an Arabic word signifying the Book ; 

 it is written in Arabic. The principal Mahometan sects are the Sonnites, who acknowl 

 edge the authority of certain traditions and commentaries on the Koran ; the Shiites, in- 

 cluding the Nosairians, Ismaelians, Druses, &c., who reject these traditions ; the Yezids, 

 whose religious system consists of a mixture of Christianity and Mahometanism ; and the 

 Wahabites, an Arab sect, which arose during i. e last century, and has endeavored to effect 

 a reformation of Islamism by purging it of human corruptions and restoring its primitive sim- 

 plicity 



Church of the JYativitij. 



