1 ^ SOOFEES.
2 entire itaioa with his subttaoee. AM A neoeBsexy oonieiiaMioe of thk
3 theory, they consider the peculiar tenets of every religion as supers
4 flnities, and discard all rites and religious worship, regarding it as li
5 matter of little importance in what manner the thooglits m turned
6 to God,* provided they rest at last in contemplation cm his goodness
7 and greatness. This sect is persecuted in Persia, and though not
8 discountenanced by the government in Caubul, is held in great aver-
9 sion by the Moollahs, who accuse its followers ot" Atheism, and often
10 endeavour to entrap tliem into some doctrines which are liable to
11 punishment by the Maliomedaii law; but these attempt >i are seldom
12 successful J one obstacle to Uieir accomplishment, that many of
13 the Soofees are sincere Malionnnediins, notwithstanding the inconsis-
14 tency of the two doctrines. I have heard a mfm ex]iatiate with rap-
15 ture on the beauty of the Soofee system, and on the enlarged and
16 liberal views of humaii actions to which it leads ; wliu lias soon after,
17 in the same company, stick ltd tl>r every tenet of Isluum, and rejected
18 v\ 11 li horror the idea of douhi nig the eternity of hell fire : when tlie
19 (lithculty of reconciling thi.^ doctrine with the belief that nothing
20 existed, but C^od was pointed out ; he said that the system of the
21 Soofees was certainly true, but that the eternity of hell was proved by
22 the word of God himself.
23 The sect, however, is gaining ground, particularly among tiie higher
24 orders, and such of die Moollahs as apply themselves to general
25 literature and its obscure sublimity, is admirably suited to the taste
26 of that dass. Hie love of mystery, indeed, wbidi ia so reniazldble
27 among them, induces tiiem to ftrm the highest notions of mrj thing
28 that is concealed* and has even occasioned a lively curionty about
29 free maisoiuy. I have often been questioned reganiing it, and have
30 heard the opiniottB which have been formed of its nature. All that
31 Is known of it was communicated by a obtain Dervise, who traveled
32 into European oountriesj and who gave this account of his initlatioin
33 in 4he mysteiy. He was dirbcted to enter a particular building, and
34 after passing throu^ winding' passages, 4nd crossing several courtly
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