Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-12-17

b.
the East, may NOT be uninterestng 10 on
readers. The religion of which this bool
is the foundation is professod BY near five
score millions OF the human race, and it
influence is felt over a large portion o
the earth.
The Koran, the sacred book of the Ma
hometons, is 10 them the rule and guide q
their faith The word Koran is derived
from the Arabic word haara, and signiiie,
that which ought TO be read. II is not d
historical work, nor is il purely BOOK OF
the law. Il maysbe called a book or col.
lection Of sermons or ophorisms, IN which
are found some facts, some visions md
pretended revelations from Heaven, and a
series OF civil laws, and moral and relinI
ousadmoniiions. lnall Mabometan codn.
tries, the Koran is considered as code of
1civil Jurisprudence, as well us canonical
law.
1t is divided into one hundred and four
teen chapters, each having a particular H.
tie, some Of which are ridiculous enouuh,
as {" the Cow" the Spider" the Wrap.
ped up," &c. Each chapter begins In.
the name OF the most merciful God" The
Koran is held in such reverence by ali
true believers, that they will not touch it
without first being purified by water. Ac.
cordmg 10 the united testimony Of Arabian
scholars, il is written with the utmost pu.
nly and elegance Of language, and as Ma
homei is SAID tohave teen illiteratp. this
purify and elegance is considered irrsistt-
BILE evidence, by orthodox Mlssalmen, OF
us dlsine origin; they regard ii asinimi-
table by any human pen and thai no hn-
man mind can match its sublimily. In the
Koran ii is said;
" Verify, if men and genii were purpose
" assembled, that they might produce
book ike this Koran, they would moi pro-
duce one like unto it, even il the one as
sisted the other"
SO much was the Koran admired for
its surprising elegance and beauty Of Ian
guage, aud the holiness and elegance OF
It's stl lie, thatthe most dsnnguishe writer's
of the age in which it was promulgated,
readily yielded 10 il the palm of preemi.
nence. Sac, the learned translator Of the
Koran, relates that Lebed, celebrated |
poet Of Mecca, one Of whose poems was
suspended on the gate Of Caaba, on read
ing the first chapter was struck with admi
ration. and Immediately became a convert
TO the Mahomeian faith; so powerful to
his mind was the internal evidence Of lis |
divine dictation. The chapter which no.
duced so wonderful an effect on the mind
Of Lebeid, is as follows
In The name of the most mercilu God
Praise be 10 God, the Lord OF AL crea-
lures, the most mercitol, the king OF the
day of Judgment. Thee do we worship,
and OF Thee do we beg assistance. Direct
US in the highway, in the way OF those 10
whom thou hasi heen gracious; not oil
hose against whom thou art incensed, nor
IF those who 60 aslray."
This chapter was the first which was
10 Mahomet by the angel Gabri.
ii, in the cave near Mecca. and is often
repeated BY Mahometans in their devotion
As specimens Of the style Of the Koran,
We have selected few passages from
Sales TRANSLATION first from ;he l7lh chap. ]:
"Praise be unto him who transported
MS servant By night II m the sacred tenn
lie Of Moses, 10 the father temple Of Je
usalem, the circuit Of which we have
blessed that we might show some Of our
ign. for God is he who beareth and seelb.
And we gave unto Moses the book Of the
aw, and appointed the same to be direo-
ion unto the children Of Israel command
ng them, sayIn4 Beware that 80 take MOI
ny other patron besides NC"
F" We have ordained the night and the
ay for two signs Of opr power; aiterward
We blot out the sign Of the night, and We
ause the sign Of the day 10 shine forth,
bat We may endeavor to obtain plenty
rom your lord, by doing your business
herein, and that ye may know the numJer !
4 years, and the computation Of time
The fate Of every man have we hound
boutshis neck, and we viii produce unto
i'm on the day Of resurrection, book
wherein his adtions shalt BE recorded; ii
hall be offered him open, and the angels
hall say unto him, thine own soul SHAH be
sufficient accountant against thee this !,
oy"
Agains the following prssage from the c
9Th chapter, entitled "The star which ap a
cared BY night"
"By Ileayen and that which appeared
y night: but what shall cause lhee 10 un-
ersland what lhui which appeareih bY ;
'ghlis! Il is The star q piercing b'ighi y
es+, every soul hath q guardian psef i I
"a man consldeF, therefore, OF what he =
creAiel. Verify. Gsd i nhln ID ralse