Priests accompany their troops into battle, praying for their success. Their presence serves as an inspiration to the soldiers, but part of the purpose of their presence is to restrain their soldiers from excesses of slaughter in their success, and they have also been known to succeed in pacifying or modifying the vengeance of enemies as well.
Their temples are very large, noble in design, and dimly lighted. Services are held on the first and last days of the month and also of the year. The nature of their worship in the temples is such that all denominations can participate without offense. Members of any particular sect perform special rituals of their own in the homes of the parties. Confession of sins is conducted in homes before attending services in the temple, but not in the presence of a priest. Wives kneel before their husbands, and children before their parents, to confess their errors and derelictions.
In the temple the worshipers are all dressed in white. The vestments of the priests are made of many-colored feathers and are exceedingly beautiful. The music in the service, which is both instrumental and vocal, is adapted to express the sentiments and emotions of the occasion far better than “ours” in Europe, according to Hythloday’s impressions.
Their prayers at service, though couched in language that will not offend any of the various sects, always acknowledge the beneficence of the Creator and offer thanks for giving their nation the best possible form of government and the best form of religion. Then they pray that they may be received into His presence after death. The services ended, they go to dinner, after which they pass the remainder of the day in sports or military exercises.
