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of fire; and every supposed corruption of fire is forbidden under 
the severest penalties. To every act of devotion purity of heart is 
necessary; and to purity of heart, Zoroaster supposes purity of 
body greatly contributes. Every thing which related to religion, 
or its concerns, is placed under their priests; they were formed 
into a regular hierarchy, not unlike the hierarchy of the Christian 
church. 
“ From the reign of Artaxerxes, who summoned a general 
meeting of the magi, amounting to eighty thousand, until its con- 
quest by the Mahomedans, the whole kingdom of Persia was 
faithful to the doctrine of Zoroaster. The Mahomedans destroyed 
the fire temples of the Parsees, and insulted the magi; they after- 
wards allowed them the enjoyment of their places of worship, on 
their paying tribute/' 
