24.26. 26. The same Subject continued.
Sir John Chardin says
[42]
that there
is not a navigable river in Persia, except the Kur, which is at the
extremity of the empire. The ancient law of the Gaurs which prohibited
sailing on rivers was not therefore attended with any inconvenience in
this country, though it would have ruined the trade of another.
Frequent bathings are extremely useful in hot climates. On this
account they are ordained in the Mahometan law and in the Indian
religion. In the Indies it is a most meritorious act to pray to God in
the running stream;
[43]
but how could these things be performed in other
climates?
When a religion adapted to the climate of one country clashes too
much with the climate of another it cannot be there established; and
whenever it has been introduced it has been afterwards discarded, it
seems to all human appearance as if the climate had prescribed the
bounds of the Christian and the Mahometan religions.
It follows hence, that it is almost always proper for a religion to
have particular doctrines, and a general worship. In laws concerning the
practice of religious worship there ought to be but few particulars; for
instance, they should command mortification in general and not a certain
kind of mortification. Christianity is full of good sense; abstinence is
of divine institution; but a particular kind of abstinence is ordained
by human authority and therefore may be changed.
Footnotes
[42]
"Travels into Persia," vol. ii.
[43]
Bernier, "Travels," vol. ii.
