The Mohammedan Controversy

100

THE MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY

watch on such an occasion the convincing effects of a comparison between the morality of the Gospel and of the Coran, apart from all questions of external proof. The Hindoo, who has cast off his hereditary idolatry, is bound by no family shackles or national prejudices to Islam; and, if his conscience be really awakened, the comparison of the two religions, Christianity and Mohammedanism, cannot fail to be of essential service and, under God's blessing, to lead to practical results.

We must not then grow weary in following this noble vocation. Britain must not faint until her millions in the East abandon both the false Prophet and the Idol shrines, and rally around that eternal truth which has been brought to light in the Gospel. At every point of contact with Islam, Christianity has the temporal ascendancy. The political prestige of Mohammed is departed for ever. The relation of France to Africa, and of Russia and Austria to the Turkish and Persian dynasties, evinces in a striking light the depression of Islam. But it is to be feared that the spiritual influences brought into play by these European powers are comparatively puny and ineffective. The corruptions of the Greek and Roman Churches cannot but injure the usefulness of any efforts made by Russia or Austria, if any such be in progress;¹ while the Government of the former, by

¹   A late journal illustrates the practical effects of this corruption in a very painful manner. After describing the long-standing disputes between the Greek and Roman Churches, for the Sacred places in Palestine, the rivalries and hatred which not unfrequently end in "bloody battles even within the interior of the Churches," and inspire the Mohammedans with contempt and disgust,—the writer proceeds:—
   "The quarrel of these monks and pilgrims has lately reached its greatest height. Diplomacy ensued. On the one side the chair of Rome, and France, supported the demands of the Latins. On the other side the cabinet of St. Petersburg defended the cause of the Greeks . . . . The negotiations lasted a long time. The Ottoman Porte was very embarrassed by these opposing claims, and knew not how to reconcile them. At length the disputes appear to have been arranged. This was the decision. First, the Latins shall have the outer key of the grand church of Bethlehem, and the two keys of the side gates, etc . . . . Thus all the noise that has been made, these strifes, battles, negotiations, diplomatic despatches, and long deliberations of the Ottoman Porte, concerned—what ? The restitution of two or three keys, the fabrication of a silver star, the participation in such and such a compartment of an old edifice; what puerility! what pity! "—Evang. Christendom, April 1852.
   This is the Christianity displayed before the Turks, these are the efforts made by the Greek and Roman Churches, such the contrast between our political ascendancy, and the spiritual humiliation to which aberrations from our faith have subjected us!

Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA