Magic, Pretended Miracles, and Remarkable Natural Phenomena (ePub)

Excerpt: The magi formed one of the six tribes into which the nation of the Medes was divided in ancient times. To them was entrusted the special charge of religion; and, as priests, they were superior in education and training to the people in general. Among the Persians, "the lovers of wisdom and the servants of God" were, according to Suidas, called magi. It seems also, that they extended themselves into other lands, and that among the Chaldeans they were an organized body. We read in the inspired book of Daniel, of "the magi," or "wise men," among whom the prophet himself was classed; and others, we know, directed by "the star in the east," went to the infant Saviour, when born, at Bethlehem, "as Christ the Lord," and presented to him their offerings, "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Among the Greeks and Romans, the6 same class of persons was styled Chaldeans and magi. For a time, the magi surpassed the rest of the world in knowledge, and were the friends, companions, and counsellors, of its mightiest sovereigns. But their science, from having no solid basis, sank, after a while, into insignificance. On the ruins of its reputation other persons sought to build theirs. A man who knew, or could perform some things, with which others had no acquaintance, or for which they had no power, announced himself as a magician. Nor were the people indisposed to concede to him the credit he desired, especially if he claimed alliance with spiritual beings; and, in not a few instances, they attributed his marvels to such agency. Thus, then, the magician may be traced to the magus, or magian; and magic, to the so-called philosophy of the east.