. To California and back;. the numerous Mexican communities in the Ter-ritory contain representatives of this order, which ispeculiar by reason of the self-flagellations inflictedby its members in their excess of pietistic zeal. Un-like their ilk of India, they do not practice self tort-ure for long periods, but only upon a certain day ineach year. Then, stripped to the waist, these poorzealots go chanting a dolorous strain and beatingthemselves unsparingly upon the back with the sharp-spined cactus, or soap-weed, until they are a revolt-ing sight to look upon. Often they sink from theexhausti
. To California and back;. the numerous Mexican communities in the Ter-ritory contain representatives of this order, which ispeculiar by reason of the self-flagellations inflictedby its members in their excess of pietistic zeal. Un-like their ilk of India, they do not practice self tort-ure for long periods, but only upon a certain day ineach year. Then, stripped to the waist, these poorzealots go chanting a dolorous strain and beatingthemselves unsparingly upon the back with the sharp-spined cactus, or soap-weed, until they are a revolt-ing sight to look upon. Often they sink from theexhaustionof long-sustained suffering and loss ofblood. Among the Penitential ceremonies is thebearing a huge cross of heavy timber for long dis-tances, amid the exhorting cries of onlookers. Theone who is adjudged to have punished himself mostseverely is chosen chief of the performance for thefollowing year; and the honor does not want foraspirants. Attempts have been made to abolish this annualdemonstration, but without III.
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Keywords: ., boo, bookauthorhigginscacharlesa, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890
