.. And all Israel that were round about them
fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up
also." [Footnote: _Numbers_ xvi.] Traces of a similar conflict are
found in Hindoo sacred literature, and probably the process has been well-
nigh universal. The caste, therefore, originates in knowledge, real and
pretended, kept by secret tradition in certain families, and its power is
maintained by systematized terrorism. But to learn the mysteries and
ritual requires a special education, hence those destined for the
priesthood have careful provision made for their instruction. The youthful
Zuni is taught at the sacred college at the shrine of his order; the pious
Hindoo lives for years with some famous Brahmin; as soon as the down came
on the cheek, the descendants of Aaron were taken into the Temple at
Jerusalem, and all have read how Hannah carried the infant Samuel to the
house of the Lord at Shiloh, and how the child did minister unto the Lord
before Eli the priest.
These facts seem to lead to well-defined conclusions when applied to New
England history. In their passionate zeal the colonists conceived the idea
of reproducing, as far as they could, the society of the Pentateuch, or,
in other words, of reverting to the archaic stage of caste; and in point
of fact they did succeed in creating a theocratic despotism which lasted
in full force for more than forty years.
Pages:
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449