MANDAEANS. The Mandaeans are an oriental sect of which representatives still exist to the South of Bagdad. Their religion has grown out of a mingling of Babylonian, Persian, Jewish, and Gnostic elements. The word Mand4, from which their name is derived, does in fact mean " gnosis." The rite to which they attach the greatest importance is baptism or ablution. This has given them the names, Sabians (Subbd) which means Baptists, Christians of St. John (the Baptist), and Disciples of St. John. The chief of their sacred books are five in number. They are: (1) " The Great Book," which is called also the Ginza or " treasure "; (2) " The Book of John "; (3) " The Completion," a book of hymns; (4) "The Divan," a book of ritual; and (5) a book on astrology. According to the Mandaeans, John the Baptist was the only true prophet. Jesus was one of the false prophets. The Supreme Being, " The Great
Glory," can be known only after death. The revealed deity is " The First Life," from whom proceeded " The Second Life " and " The Spirit of Life." From " The Second Life" proceeded the Angels, one of whom, Gabriel, formed the earth and man. " The Spirit of Life " (Mond@ d'hayyd) is the Saviour, who revealed himself to man in three sons, of whom the chief was Hibil. Reinach thinks " it is not impossible that John the Baptist may have belonged to a primitive sect of Mandmans; if at this early period they already called themselves Nazarenes, we should have an explanation of the tradition which made Nazareth the birthplace of the Messiah, who was himself called a Nazarene." See V. Brandt, Die Manddische Religion, 1889; J. H. Blunt; Reinach O.; Brockhans; Chambers' Encyol.