The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-12-06
THE GREEN FLAG OF THE PROPHET.
UNIVERSAL Summons--Its Oripin--An EN-
blen Of DETERMINATION.

mas several times been startled by the
announcement that the " Flag of the
Prophet" was about to be unfurled in
the streets of Stamboul. Such an event.
II 1t should happen (Which may heaven
averD, would proclaim q crusade in
which all true Mussulmans would be
bound to take an active part. and to
hsht against Christianity in every part
OF the world. They may be in India,
Arabia, Egypt, or wherever else their
scattered race has found home the
raising of the green standard is call
which none may disobey without, as the
Koran lays it down, sacrificing all his
hopes of paradise.
This fearful appeal to all the worst
passions of the Eastern races hangs like n
menace over the Mohammedan world: and
II the word was once uttered and the dread
ed flag unfurled, there is no telling to what
sanguinary excesses it might lead an en-
thusiastic and half-savage people. 1t
may be of interest to our readers if.
under these circumstances, we endeavor
to make them acquainted with the origin
ana history of banner which has not
seen the light of day since the Empress
Catharlne OF Russia attempted to rein
state Christianity in the City of the Sui
tans, and which once unfurled would set
whole world ablaze.
There have been many flags or 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 Propbet .
which is really banner of blood, for it
dlspels 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 field OF crimson signified
" mo quarter !" but this celebrated Flag
OF the Prophet means infinitely more
than this. 1t is summons to an anti
Christian crusade, a challenge of every
believer IN the Prophet to arms a war
signal, in fact, which, like the Fiery
Gross of Scotland, would flash its dread
command through the domain of Islam.
The prophet himself predicted that
one day, when his followers should num-
ber lOO, 900, ,000-which they do now.
with 70, 100000 more added to it-his
dag 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 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 q
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 sign that all true be.
levers should take up their arms and
march against the intdel in fact, the
green turban was the sacred head. dress
OF the pilgrim or perfected Islamite who
mad gone to Mecca and hence the sane.
aaty of this formidable standard.
When once unfurled, it summons all
Islam by an adiuration 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) viii be rewarded
with temporal advantages every dror
shed OF their blood, every peril and hard.
ship endured by them, will be registered
on high as more meritorious 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-signifi
cant words, the fearful war-cry agains
God and man "Then may no man give
or expect mercy !"
This is the outburst of barbarism will
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 tt
the Eastern people fasting and praying
are looked upon as of SO meritorious {
nature, that to find something else
which, in the eyes of Allah, would be
deemed of greater value still, would bt
desideratum which none would fail tc
grasp, by any means whatever, if il
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 q
masterpiece of policy unequaled in the
annals of mankind.
The standard itself is not a 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 o.
men In this country. 1t is of green silk
with large crescent on the top of the
staff, from which is suspended Ions
plume of horse-hair (said to have beer
the tail of the Prophets favorite Aral
steed), while the broad folds of the fiae
exhibit the crescent and the quotations
from the Koran already mentioned.
The Flag of the Prophet is kept in thu
mosque of st. Sophia at Constantinople
and is in the custody of the ssShik-ul
Islam. or Mahommedan chief eserip