This religio-philosophical teacher lived in the sixth century B. C., the century in which flourished Buddha, Laou-tsze, and Confucius, three of the world's greatest religious founders. Greece was his native, and Italy his adopted, country. His history is largely obscured by myths. He was claimed to be, like Plato, the son of Apollo. He was said to have performed miracles and to have been endowed with the gift of prophecy. He traveled in Egypt and India, and his system contains some elements of the Egyptian and Buddhist religions. There was a small Jewish sect, known as the Essenes, which adopted to a large extent the teachings of Pythagoras. Jesus is believed to have belonged to this sect. There is an Essene element in the New Testament which is especially prominent in the teachings ascribed to Christ. Josephus, in his "Wars of the Jews," describes at length the doctrines and customs of this sect. From Josephus and the New Testament I cite a few of the parallels between the religion of the Essenes and the religion of Christ. "These men are despisers of "A rich man shall hardly enter into riches" (Wars, B. II, ch. viii, the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. xix, sec. 3). 23). "It is a law among them, that "Neither said any of them that those who come to them must let aught of the things which he what they have be common to the possessed was his own; but they had whole order" (Ibid). all things common" (Acts iv, 32). "They carry nothing at all with "Provide neither gold, nor silver, them when they travel into remote nor brass in your purses, nor scrip parts" (Sec. 4). for your journey" (Matt. x, 9, 10). "Every one of them gives what he "Give to him that asketh thee" hath to him that wanteth it" (Matt. v, 42.) (Ib). "And he took bread, and gave "A priest says grace before meat" thanks" (Luke xxii, 19). (Sec. 5). "Blessed are the peace-makers" "They ... are the ministers of (Matt. v, 9). peace" (Sec. 6). "But I say unto you, Swear not at "Whatsoever they say also is all; ... but let your communication firmer than an oath; but swearing be, yea, yea; nay, nay" (Matt. v, is avoided by them" (Sec. 6). 34, 37). Closely allied to the Essenes and the primitive Christians is another Pythagorian sect, known as the Therapeuts of Egypt. Regarding this sect, four different theories are held: 1. That they were a Jewish sect. 2. That they were a Jewish Christian sect. 3. That they were Pagans, many of whose teachings were incorporated into the Christian creed. 4. That they are a myth, that the "De Vita Contemplativa" of Philo, which contains the only account of them, is a Christian forgery, written for the purpose of extolling the monastic life, the celibacy, and the asceticism of the church. Bacchus.