41

THE MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY

derogatory insinuations and opprobrious epithets, —does not all this cut us to the quick, and make us cling the closer to those objects which are enshrined in our affections? And must not similar language stir up similar feelings in the Mussulman bosom? We all know what a strong principle nationality is, and how easily it is wounded; now the Mohammedan's is a nationality of faith, and is equally injured by opprobrious imputation against his religion. Their prejudices are imbibed with their mother's milk, nourished in childhood by the marvellous tales of their Prophet and their saints, and welded into an impenetrable system by the constantly recurring ceremonies, which are interwoven with their very existence. We must also bear in mind the prescriptive hold which their religion has upon them. How many of our own countrymen profess Christianity for no better reason than that it was the religion of their forefathers ; and do we not ourselves feel how much comfort and support are frequently derived from a reflection upon the numberless learned and illustrious characters who have adorned the Christian faith? Now, reverence for their cloud of witnesses and fathers must be no less an overpowering consideration and a comfort and support with many, than it is with us. The fact that Islam has not only stood for thirteen centuries, but has expanded and progressed, and has seldom cowered before its present foe, must be a strong and satisfactory reflection to our opponents. Again, we find with them a religious nobility founded on the fact that Islam has been the pure and unbroken creed of their, ancestors through a succession of generations running up to the time of their Prophet. How deep-rooted must be those feelings of pride, of high and ancient parentage inwrought with a faith deemed by them so noble, so unparalleled; —a faith which affords salvation to all .mankind, and which reflects its glory and lustre upon them! If anywhere we are to expect prejudice, anywhere to make allowance for it, surely it must be here. Let all our arguments, then, be framed, all our expressions selected, with these feelings and prejudices prominently in our view; let there be no unnecessary wounding of the national feeling, no harsh epithets, no irritating insinuations. We press this point with the greater earnestness, because the provoking