The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-12-19
THE GREEN FLAG OF THE PROPHET.
A Universal Summons.-Its Origin..An Rm.
blem of determination.

OISLH VI IASC
Since the commencement of the wal
between Russia and Turkey, the worlo
has several times been startled by the
announcement that the "Flag of the
Prophet was about to be unfurled IL
the streets of STEAMBOAT. Such an event,
if it should happen (Which may heaven
avert), would proclaim q crusade II
which all true Mussulmans would be
bound to take an active part, and tc
fight against Christianity in every part
of the world. They may be in India,
Arabia, Egypt, or wherever else theil
scattered race has found a home ; the
raising of the green standard is a call
which none may disobey without, as the
Koran lays it down, sacrificing all hls
hopes of paradise.
This fearful appeal to all the worst
passions of the Eastern races hangs like Q
menace over the Mohammedan world; and
if the word was once uttered and the dread.
ed flag unfurled, there is no telling to what
sanguinary excuses it might lead an en-.
thusiastic and half-savage people. 1t
may be Of interest to u readers if,
under these circumstances, We endeavor
to make them acquainted with the origin
and history of q banner which has not
seen the light of day since the Empress
Catharine of Russia attempted to rein
state Christianity in the City of the Sui
tans, and which once unfurled would set
a whole world ablaze.
There have been many flags OF signals
used by various nations at different
crises in their history to incite the peo-
pie to battle on behalf of religions, dy-
nasties and ideas but none has attained
to the fearful notoriety which appertains
to the terrible Flag of the Prophet
which is really a banner of blood, for it
dispels the idea of mercy from the minds
and hearts of its followers, and gives no
quarter to man, woman or child.
In France the "orihamme" or golden
sun upon a field of crimson signifed
emo quarter !" but this celebrated Flag
of the Prophet means Infinitely more
than this. 1t is a summons to an anti
Christian crusade, a challenge of every
believer in the Prophet to arms !; q war
signal, in fact, which, like the Fiery
Cross of Scotland, would flash it's dread
command through the domain of Islam.
The prophet. himself predicted that
one day, when his followers should num-
Der 100, 600, OOO-which they do now,
with 20, 600, 900 more added to this
flag should fly against the advancing
power of the northern races !; and the
Koran or Mohammedan Bible says that
when its silken folds are flung forth
"the earth will shake, the mountains
melt into dust, the seas blaze up in fire,
and the children's hair grow white with
anguish" This language is Of course
metaphorical !; but it is easy to conceive,
by the light of very recent history, that
some such catastrophe might take place,
as the displaying Of this terrible symbol
would raise a frenzy of fanaticism in the
breasts of the Mohammedan race all over
the globe.
The origin of the insignia is a curious
one. Mohammed gazing out upon a
vast prospect of field, said : Nature is
green, and green shall be my emblem,
for it is everlasting and universal"
In course of time. however, it lost that
innocent significance and amid his
visions the great dreamer saw the Green
Flag floating as a sign that all true be-
levers should take up their arms. and
march against the infdel ; in fact, the
green turban was the sacred head-dress
of the pilgrim or perfected Islamite who
had gone to Mecca !; and hence the sane
THY of this formidable standard.
When once unfurled, it summons all
Islam by an adjuration from the Koran
that the sword is the solitary emblem
and instrument of faith, independence
and patriotism ; that armies, not priests,
make converts !; and that sharpened steel
is the "true key to heaven" Upon that
fearful ensign are inserted the words
which are supposed to have been written
at Mecca itself-namely "All who
draw it (the sword) will be rewarded
with temporal advantages !; every drop
shed OF their blood, every peril and hard
ship endured by them, will be registered
on high rs more m%eritorious than either
fasting or praying. If they fall in battle,
their sins will be at once blotted out,
and they will be transported to paradise.
But for the first heaven are reserved
those of the faithful who die within
sight of the Green Flag of the Prophet
Then follow the terrible and all-signif-
cant words, the fearful war-cry against
God and man !: "Then may no man give
or expect mercy !"
This is the outburst of barbarism with
which the world is threatened in this
year of grace 1877; and the reader can
not do otherwise than mark the cunning
nature of the portentous words inscribed
on the prophets banner. What would
not most men do, civilized or savage,
for temporal advantages?" While to
the Eastern people fasting and praying
are looked upon as of 30 meritorious a
nature, that to find something else
which, in the eyes of Allah, would be
deemed of greater value still, would be
q desideratum which none would fail to
grasp, by any means whatever, if it
came within their reach. But Moham-
med's wonderful knowledge of human
nature, and more especially of Eastern
human nature, is shown in his picture
of paradise as prepared for the faithful
who fall in battle ; while his declaration
that the highest heaven in this so-called
paradise will be reserved for those who
die within sight Of the Green Flag, is a
masterpiece of policy unequaled in the
annals of mankind.
The standard itself is not n very hand
some one, and is surpassed both in value
and appearance by many of the banners
which belong to the various benefit So
cieties and other mutual associations OF
men in this country. 1t is Of green silk,
with a large crescent on the top of the
staff, from which is suspended q long
plume of horse-hair (said to have been
the tail of the Prophets favorite Arab
steed), while the broad folds OF the flag
exhibit the crescent and the quotations
from the Koran already mentioned.
The Flag of the Prophet is kept in the
mosque of st. Sophia at Constantinople,
and is in the custody of the .Shik-ul.
Islam, or Mahommedan chief eseript
where all well-wishers OF humanity may
sincerely trust it will yer remain
Mambers's Journal.