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.