ZOROASTER

one of the great religious teachers of the East, founded what was for centuries the national religion of Persia, and which is still adhered to by the Parsecs. He was probably a native of Iran, if he actually lived, which some people do not believe but it is not known when he live a, though he probably; did exist. His doctrines are found in the Parsec scriptures, called the Zend-Avesta (which see) and the ‘GAthAs* (songs) are said to contain his real utterances. The fundamental idea of his doctrine was the existence, from the first, of a spirit of good, Ahuro Mazdao (Ormuzd) and a spirit of evil, Angro Mainyush (Ahriman). These two are in perpetual conflict over the soul of man but Ormuzci will ultimately triumph. The religion; of Zoroaster, when it became that of Iran, was expounded by a priesthood, and a ritual and ceremonial was laid down by the priests. Marion Crawford’s book “ Zoroaster ” gives a description of the service.