Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-03-19
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE ARAB.

Journeying across the Arabian desert, Chris
tan traveller was taught some things that he did
not know before or, if he once knew had for
gotten them. His tent was pitched for the night.
His guides, genuine Bedouins, were around him.
They sat silently musing each lost in his own
thoughts, when suddenly the sheik exclaimed,
"what strange men you Englishmen arer'
"How so? Why do you think us strange ?"
"You never fast" said he.
"Not often" replied the traveller laughingly
that is when we can get anything to eat p
The Arab laughed to; that evening we supped
sparsely from necessity. "But," said he "is il
not part of your religion? You do not pray
you do not give aims you do nothing"
This was home-thrust and my conscience
felt it. l had looked upon the poor fellows
around me as bigoted in their faith and had con.
sidered myself so completely in their power that
/ deemed it prudent TO avoid every topic that
might rouse their passions. In my solitary tent
at midday read the word of life ! but had con-
cealed with jealous care from my guards the
knowledge that carried about me the "Chris-
tian's Koran = and when at morning and night
l commended myself, in prayer to God my Ma.
ker, through Christ my Saviour had drawn close
around me the curtain of the tent, and whispered
low and fearfully, lest should be overheard
"You have no religion" said the sheik "you
do not pray; you do nothing
"God forgive me-" thought the rebuke is
not altogether unjust"
"Now we" continued my reprover and he
went on boastingly to tell what their prophet re-
quired of them, and how faithful was eher obe-
dience in matters of devotion, charity and self
denial and while he spoke, | lifted my heart to
God, and sought courageto bear feeble testimo-
ny to his word. When the sheik paused ] put
my hand into my bosom, and drew forth New
Testament.
81 have religion" l said. Would you like
to hear what it teaches on these high matters?'
Certainly would | tell him?
BY this time the attention of all my guard was
directed to me. Their quick, sparkling eyes were
fixed iercely, as thought, upon me, their dark
visage looking more grim by the flashing fire
around which they were seated and their hand.
were ready to grasp a weapon that would speedi
ly bring down vengeance upon the head of the
infidel dog who should dare to blaspheme theil
prophet.
Listen" said, as opened the Testament al
the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St
Matthew. "You spake of almsgiving; heal
what my Koran says about aims y and render
ed into Arabic the first four verses, Take heed
that We do not YOUR aims before men, to be seen Of
them" etc. When stopped looked up, and
the dark countenances around me were glsten.
ing. but not with anger.
Good" exclaimed the sheik; "this is yer,
good go on;
al gathered courage, and read again: " And
when thou prayest," ETC. Tread, transating as !
read, to the fifteenth verse. Again looked
around me.
Bismillah but this is wonderful wonder
ful r. exclaimed one to another, stroking theil
boards wonderful ~ and every harsh and for
bidding feature were softened down to quite calm
attention. more more !"
al read on; Moreover, when We fast" etc.
Bismillah" exclaimed the sheik "but thi,
is wonderful
| needed no further urging on. Verse by verse
paragraph by paragraph | read on to the close o
the chapter, interrupted by the exclamations o
wonder and appreciation.
Wonderful" said my worthy friend, the
sheik, when at length closed the book; " but
this is wonderful And what good people you
| Christians ought to be-"