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Rh pigeons! This is a very anciently-founded calumny. The Samaritans, on the other hand, declare that the Jews neglect the Law of Moses, and have departed from purity of life and worship, and follow the Talmud. They date their separation from the Jews from the time of Eli the priest, whom they regard as a usurper, for he was not of the priestly family of Eleazar, but a descendant of Ithamar, the fourth son of Aaron.

In 1842 the Samaritans were cruelly persecuted because they would not embrace the Moslem faith, and the Mohammedan Ulemas threatened to murder the whole of their community, on the plea that they had no religion, not even believing in one of the five inspired books, which are: 1. Law of Moses; 2. New Testament; 3. The Psalms; 4. The Prophets; and 5. The Koran. A sect which acknowledges the inspiration of any one of these five books is legally tolerated by the Mohammedans. This being known to the Samaritans, they endeavored to prove their belief in the Pentateuch; but the Mohammedans, not being acquainted with the holy language and characters in which it was written, disbelieved them. They then applied to the Chief Rabbi of the Jews in Jerusalem—a recognized representative and head of the Jewish faith—who gave them a written declaration, certifying, "That the Samaritan people is a branch of the children of Israel, who acknowledge the truth of the Tora"—that is, the Pentateuch. This document, accompanied with presents, put an end to the persecution for a time. I mention this merely to show in what light the Samaritans are regarded by the superior and learned Jews.

Those who knew Yakûb esh Shellabi in England will perhaps like to hear something about him. He is the only Samaritan who ever traveled so far west. He returned to his people in the Autumn of 1856, and soon reaccustomed himself to the simple yet active life of the Samaritans. He advised Priest Amran to establish a school, and oblige all the children of the community, both girls and boys, to