"Mahuzzim Bazaars"

 "The triumph of Antichrist was adorned with the last spoils of paganism, but the greater part of these costly stones was extracted from the quarries of Asia Minor, the isles and continent of Greece, Egypt, Africa, and Gaul. A variety of ornaments and figures was curiously expressed in Mosaic; and the images of Christ, of the Virgin, of the saints, and of angels, were exposed to the superstition of the Greeks. According to the sanctity of each object, the precious metals were distributed in their leaves, or in solid masses. The spectator was dazzled by the glittering aspect of the cupola; the sanctuary contained forty thousand pounds weight of silver; and the holy vases and vestments of the altar were of the purest gold, enriched with inestimable gems."

Such are the words of Gibbon; and no description of things could more palpably demonstrate the applicability of the text to, any other person, than this does to Justinian as the individual emperor of the little Greek Horn, who "in his kingdom honored an Accursed god of guardian saints in their bazaars with gold, with silver, and with precious stones, and with things desired." "Thus shall he do," saith the scripture, "in the most strong holds with a strange god," or accursed dissembler. In the margin of the passage instead of "in the most strong holds," it reads "in fortresses of munitions," which does not help the matter at all. The Hebrew words are le-mivtzerai mahuzzim. The root of le-mivtzerai is batzar, and signifies "to enclose with a wall, or the like, for safety. As a noun, it signifies store, or treasure so secured. Derivative -- a bazaar, a kind of covered market-place among the eastern nations, somewhat like our Exeter 'Change, but frequently much more extensive" (Parkhurst's Lexicon). In the strong holds of Mahuzzim, or in Mahuzzim-Bazaars, comes nearer to the original. Understanding that Mahuzzim are deified ghosts, worshipped as patrons and protectors, the question need only be asked, what are their strong holds, or bazaars? and every reflecting mind will answer immediately -- "Why, the churches to be sure!" This is the truth. The churches, chapels, and cathedrals are the strong holds, and houses of merchandize, dedicated by the prospering craft to guardian-saints and angels. There are the images and pictures of the saints. They are saints' houses in which are deposited their shrines; silver, gold, and ivory crucifixes; old bones, and various kinds of trumpery. They are literally "dens of thieves," where people are robbed of their money under divers false pretences. They are places where pews are sold by auction; where fairs are held for "pious objects;" and where spiritual quacks pretend to cure souls in exchange for so much per annum. In view of these facts, the scriptural epithet bestowed upon the church houses of the apostasy is most appropriate. They are truly Bazaars of spiritual merchandize; and the prospering craft, "the great men of the earth," made rich by trading in their wares, are the bazaar-men, who extort all kinds of goods from their customers by putting them in fear, and comforting them with heavenly pay. They buy and sell under licence from the State, having received the mark on their foreheads and in their hands. The reader may find the catalogue of sale in the eighteenth of Revelation. Among the articles of merchandize are "bodies, and souls of men." But the trade of these soul merchants is fast falling into disrepute. Their customers growl exceedingly at being compelled to deal at Bazaars, where the profit is all on one side. This state of things, however, will not last much longer; for the time cometh it is written, when "no man buyeth their merchandize any more." There is often more truth than fiction, though not much elegance, in the proverbs of the vulgar; but the reader will now perceive the scripture origin of the term "gospel shop," as applied to places of religious convocation, where men preach gospels at so much per sermon, or per annum. I am aware, Paul says, that "the Lord hath ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." This is just and proper. But this ordinance does not apply to those who do not preach the gospel, but preach mere human tradition instead. These are preachers of other gospels; and to pay them is "to take the bread out of the children's mouths, and cast it to dogs," even to "dumb dogs that cannot bark." The places where they deal out their traditions are well and truly designated shops, or bazaars; for the system which sanctifies them is mere trading in religion, and haggling for a crust of bread. But then, bazaars of priestly wares are distinguished from places of honorable trade, by being dedicated to Mahuzzim. This is a remarkable feature in the prophecy, which finds its counterpart in the dedication of the churches to guardian saints and angels, St. Sophia at Constantinople, St. Peter's at Rome, Our Lady's at Paris, St.