New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-03
THE TRIUMPH OF MOHAMMED.

LECTURE by DR.. FELIX ADLER IN LYRIC HALL
A lecture on "The Triumph of MOhammed"
was given last evening by Dr. Felix Adler In Lyric Hail.
In Sxth-ave.. below Forty-second-st He began with
comparison OF development Of Islam to the impetuous
torrents OF the East which suddenly arise. rage along
sandy BEDS but swallowed up by the thirsty
soil. Mohammedansm Is still acknowledged by the
Arab tribes but really they much without religion
as they were 1000 years ago.
The lecturer then described the desert scenes oil the
life in which Mohammedansm had its birth. The Arabs
are like the sands OF the desert ever shifting and rest
less exhibiting constant change but constant sanenes
also Good and evil the admirable and the terrible are
strangely united them The tribes form each an I'M
broken solidarity for all and all for one Combined
against all others their hands are against al The
Arabs are robbers but chiyarous ones Force Is law TO
them in earnest. but tho strong seek worthy rivals
and are merciful to tho weak. Generosity
toward the defenseless llghens the stern
ness of tho age Of force. Their conduct
toward their women ia characteristics Daughters
considered great ncumbrance, and the custom OF XIII
ing female children AT birth widely preVaed oeiOre
Mohammeds time but the Arabs nave 6 Always o91h
Far from being the despsed creature which she IA gen
orally supposed to be- woman eXerts great nnuence In
the minds OF tho desert The Arabs are OCCASION
ally pefdious but nation so true TO pledge once
given marked circumstance OF desert life l. its free
dom from all restraint. Public opinion IL the legislator
and the judge. THE Is strong enough no one can
Mecca the birthplace of Islam. was then described,
with its famous temple Kaaba (so called from ts wedge
SHAPED having still in Its wall the sacred black stone
six inches long by eight wide. This Is ringed with
silver and much worn by the kisses Of the faithful
Out OF the tribe of Koresh. the honored guardians OF
the Kaaba, MOhammed. There were new move
meDt3 Arabian life before his coming, which did much
TO prepare the way for his success In the
sixth century the poetic art began to be Guilt
waited among the Arabs. n people with great depth
OF mpa ssiOned feeling. Graceful refinement OF style
and elegance OF rhythm were developed. Nowhere
has the power of poetry been greater AT their lars
poeca tournaments were held aud the verses or the
unpta yypf "A
sOdists.
The general direction and force OF the great religious
movement among the Arabs we're due 10 force from
wIthoutJudaism. In the fifth, sixth, aud seventh CEN
turtles the Jews settled largely IN Arabia and their rei
gious influence upon their neghbOrs was subtle and
wide, especially about Medina. The people were pre-
pared TO receive Accommodation when 1t came.
The marriage OF Mohammed with Kadd1ah, the
wealthiest widow OF Mecca turning point in his
life. HencefOrth, freed from cares about support, he
could himself TO his mission. Fifteen years later
came marvellous scene where after days OF
watching, fasting. and prayer, OF wrestling with doubts
and fears. came MOhammedT revelation The Arcnange
Gabriel appeared and gave him the Koran and the com
mands of God No longer OF doubts aud dreams.
but of conviction ana action, Mohammed set
about his great purpose What he aimed at was, first.
superstItions of the country. HIS religious notions
partly drawn from the New Testament,
hut in the main, from the Old Testament and the
traditions OF the Jews Second, he had great political
aims well as religious. lie tired TO make his people
unit and abOred for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF his country
He obtained his end by his genuine. ardent enthusiasm
The crystaizug force of common idea drew together
the tribes Of the desert which had ways kept
apart Mohammed must be looked on as sincere.
"a prophet, impostor. He abolished the law of
blood for blood lie repressed infancde he cast down
the worship OF idols, aud he limited pOygamy. His IN
huence Arabia, for time at least, was beneficial.