THE PERSIAN'S AND CHALDEAN'S ANSWER.
Brothers of the religion of Iran, can you tell us what to do and believe in order to be saved? "Yes, indeed. First of all, you must believe 'God's Living Word,' the Zenda Avesta; for that is the meaning of the term. Zenda means 'the life' or 'the living,' and Avesta, 'the word of God.' And you must live up to its holy precepts, which will keep you from committing sin, and prompt you to lead a virtuous life. You must also say grace, both before and after eating, as that was their ancient custom. But you are forbidden to speculate in any of the necessaries of life so as to cause suffering among the poor. And their Bible declares that he who hoards up grain, and holds it for a high price, is responsible for all the famine and all the misery that may take place among the people. [I would recommend modern Christian speculators to borrow this heathen code, and learn from it some important moral lessons.] To insure salvation under this religion, you most also believe in 'Mithra the Mediator,' crucified for the sins of the world some three thousand three hundred years ago by wicked hands, but in no case make any idols or images of God; for their religion practically condemns idolatry."