. That they brought the legendary
histories of the former Angel-Messiahs with them.

The origin of the sect known as _Essenes_ is enveloped in mist, and will
probably never be revealed. To speak of all the different ideas
entertained as to their origin would make a volume of itself, we can
therefore but glance at the subject. It has been the object of Christian
writers up to a comparatively recent date, to claim that almost
everything originated with God's chosen people, the _Jews_, and that
even all languages can be traced to the _Hebrew_. Under these
circumstances, then, it is not to be wondered at that we find they have
also traced the Essenes to Hebrew origin.

Theophilus Gale, who wrote a work called "The Court of the Gentiles"
(Oxford, 1671), to demonstrate that "the origin of _all human
literature_, both philology and philosophy, is from the Scriptures and
the Jewish church," undoubtedly hits upon the truth when he says:

"Now, the origination or rise of these Essenes (among the
Jews) I conceive by the best conjectures I can make from
antiquity, _to be in or immediately after the Babylonian
captivity_, though some make them later."

Some Christian writers trace them to Moses or some of the prophets, but
that they originated in _India_, and were a sort of Buddhist sect, we
believe is their true history.

Gfroerer, who wrote concerning them in 1835, and said that "_the Essenes
and the Therapeutae are the same sect, and hold the same views_," was
undoubtedly another writer who was touching upon historical ground.

The identity of many of the precepts and practices of _Essenism_ and
those of the _New Testament_ is unquestionable. Essenism urged on its
disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.[420:1]
The Essenes forbade the laying up of treasures upon earth.[420:2] The
Essenes demanded of those who wished to join them to sell all their
possessions, and to divide it among the poor brethren.[420:3] The
Essenes had all things in common, and appointed one of the brethren as
steward to manage the common bag.[420:4] Essenism put all its members on
the same level, forbidding the exercise of authority of one over the
other, and enjoining mutual service.[420:5] Essenism commanded its
disciples to call no man master upon the earth.[420:6] Essenism laid the
greatest stress upon being meek and lowly in spirit.[420:7] The Essenes
commended the poor in spirit, those who hunger and t