Modern Persia

Modern Persia, by Mooshie G.
Daniel

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Title: Modern Persia
Author: Mooshie G. Daniel
Release Date: May 17, 2007 [EBook #21512]
Language: English
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MODERN PERSIA

BY
RABBI MOOSHIE G. DANIEL,
McCORMICK SEMINARY Late Professor of Ancient Syriac in
Oroomiah College, Persia.

WHEATON COLLEGE PRESS WHEATON, ILL. 1897.
Copyrighted 1897, by Mooshie G. Daniel

TO THE CLASS OF 1897 OF MCCORMICK THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.
The author, in spending four years in America, has come in contact
with different classes of people who have raised serious questions
concerning modern Persia.
Those who are interested in politics and government, have asked: Is
modern Persia a province of Turkey? Is it as large as the state of
Michigan? Is the king still absolute as in ancient times? Have the laws
of the Medes and Persians undergone no change? Are there any
remains of Persia's ancient beauty and grandeur?
These, and questions like these, have been from time to time presented
to the author. On the other hand it is to be observed that many
journalists traveling through Persia have greatly misrepresented that
country. Their limited stay made it impossible for them to acquire any
accurate knowledge of the country.
It is no easy task to familiarize oneself with the ideas and customs of

that ancient and historic country. To thousands in Persia the literature
and history of their own land is a sealed book.
Questions the most serious and earnest have been raised by godly
ministers and devoted people who have for years been generous givers
to the cause of Foreign Missions. I have been asked questions like these:
Is there a solid foundation established by missions in Persia? What has
the gospel done? What changes have taken place? What are some of the
fruits of our mission work over there? What are some of the temporal
improvements? Very recently Rev. O. N. Hunt of Edwardsburg, Mich.,
wrote the author asking what is the moral condition of Persia to-day in
comparison to what it was when the missionaries began their work?
Questions like these prompted the author to write this small book.
Its object is to encourage the mission spirit; to quicken and kindle anew
the fires of divine love in the hearts of all those to whom it will come;
to promote and advance the blessed gospel of our Lord and His Christ;
to hasten the day when millions that now sit in darkness and the
shadow of death may set their faces toward the light.
Oh, Jehovah of the East! Who was once born in the East, Who
preached and was crucified in the East, When wilt thou again visit the
East?
Remarks: The author wishes to say that in the survey of modern Persia
free use was made of the International Encyclopedia, especially in the
matter of dates.
Dr. Philip Scaff's Church History was also consulted in the account
given of Mohammed.
The leaves of the trees, are the gift of the poors.

CONTENTS.

PART I.
CHAPTER. PAGE
I. General Survey of Persia--Climate and
Products--Inhabitants--Manufactories and Trades--Government and
Taxation--The Army 17-22
II. The Ancient History of Persia. 22-30
III. Architecture of Persia 30-35
IV. The Language and Poetry of Persia 35-41

PART II.
Religions.
I. Parsee Religion--Bible and Doctrines--Their Rituals 42-49
II. Mohammedanism--Mohammed--His Birth and Character--The
Conquest of Islam 49-58
III. The Mohammedan Religion 59-60
IV. The Creed of Islam 61-62
V. The Priesthood--Mujtahids--Arch-Mujtahids, Common
Mujtahids--Mollah--The Sayyids--Darwishes--Their Service 62-75
VI. The Laymen--Middle Class--Low Class 75-81
VII. The Mosques and their Services--Special Service 81-86
VIII. Moslem's Private Prayer and Fasting 86-90

IX. The Pilgrimages--Preparation--Alms Giving--Carrying the
Dead--The Motive in Pilgrimages for the Dead--The Female
Pilgrims--Their Returning 91-101
X. The Shiite Moslem's Mu-har-ram--Singers 101-11
XI. Heaven and Hell 112-15
XII. Matrimony 115-20

PART III.
I. The Royal Family--The King in his Palace--His
Table--Treasury--Wives 120-28
II. Governor--Prisons--Executions 128-34
III. Counts or Lords 134-36
IV. Cities--Holidays--Schools 136-44

PART IV.
I. Bobeism--Bobe--His Doctrine--His Personal Appearance 145-52
II. The Kurds--Occupation--Their Character--Houses--Religion 153-59

PART V.
I. The Nestorians--Their Place--Language 160-62

II. Their History 163-64
III. Clergy 164-65
IV. Churches and Ordinances 166-70
V. Assyrian or Nestorian College 170-71
VI. Assyrian Missionary Spirit 172-74
VII. Their Persecutions 174-79
VIII. Their Condition at the time American Missions were started
179-80

PART VI.
I.