The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-08-03

And near them shall lie the virgins of
paradise, refraining their look from be-
holding any besides their spouses, hsv.
ing large black eyes and resembling the
eggs of an ostrich covered with feathers
from the dust" From these extracts
from the Koran we see that its heaven
is sensual one Delicious fruits, wine
that will not intoxicate, and voluptuous
women are the chief attractions.
Mohammed devised financial scheme
worthy of Stewart or Rothschild.
At least once in his life time the faith
full Mohammedan must make pilgrim
age to the tomb of the prophet at Mecca.
For this tomb the devout Mussulman
has the greatest reverence. 1t is said
that the pilgrim has been known to put
out his eyes after seeing that tomb that
he might never again view a common
object after having beheld one so sacred.
He who dies without having visited
Mecca is no better off than though be
were @ Christian dog. AS these pilgrims
come focking from all parts of the
country to the prophets tomb it is nat.
ural that they should desire to give
something to the object of their worship.
Three large vaults have been arranged
to receive whatever money the people
may feel disposed to give. These vaults
are securely sealed and locked and the
keys are in the possession of the chief
dignitares of the church. This fund is
to be used only when the religion of the
prophet is in danger. Wars for polti.
cal purposes may wage perpetually and
the Turkish government be ever so short
of funds, but it must not lay its hands
on the treasures in these vaults. But
when their religion is threatened and in
danger of overthrow, then that money
is available. Two of these vaults have
been opened, one in 1928, the other in
1854. The third has been sealed for
four hundred and sixty two years. 1t
is estimated that one hundred thousand
pilgrims annually visit Mecca, and that
the fund now in these vaults can not be
less than one hundred and twenty mil
lions of dollars. If in the present strug.
gle with Russia it shall be decided that
the religion of Mohammed is in danger,
the vaults will be unsealed and their
vast treasure used to repel the invader
When his religion is assailed, the
Turk fights as he never does when
other questions are involved. 1t is taught
that he who falls in battle in defence of
his religion goes Immediately unchal-
lenged into the paradise already de.
scribed. Strong in this faith, the Turk
is reckless. The papers announce that
the Turkish authorities contemplate
raising the " Standard of the Prophet"
This was the principal banner used by
Mohammed, himself, in his wars. 1t is
piece of dark cloth some twelve feet
long. In order to protect this precious
relic it is covered with forty layers of
cloth. The outer covering.is green
This banner was carried for time at
the head of the annual pilgrimage to
Mecca. In time of war when the COM
mand of the army is entrusted to of.
6cers, this banner is displayed in the
capitol at the commencement of the
war. But when the religion is assailed
and the Sultan in person assumes COM
mand of the army, then this banner is
carried into battle. The sight of that
sacred flag makes every Turk tiger.
1t appeals to his religious feelings as
nothing else can do. Now it. is war in
defence Of his religion, and the student
of history shudders when he thinks of
What such war means,
The Turk is very intolerant in his
religious views. He has no regard for
one that does not belong to his church.
They allow none but Mohammedans
10 testify in their civil courts. The
testimony of the best man in the United
States could not be reteived, but yonder
comes one Of the lowest specimens of
humanity that ever skulked by night
through the dirty streets of CONSTANT
nOple and bis testimony will be received
because, forsooth, he is a Mohammedan.
To impeach witness in the courts of
Turkey you need not prove him an ma
bitual liar but show that he is not a
member of the Mohammedan church.
They permit the Christians to erect
churches, but they must be very plainly
built. They must hive no spires lest
they rival the Grand Mosque 10 the
splendor of construction They must
have no bells lest the Mussulman be
disturbed in his devotions. They, hav-
ing the law on their side, can make
quick work of such public nuisances by
not allowing the Christian church to
have any bells
The prevailing opinion with Bible
scholars is that the Ottaman Empire is
fast approaching its downfall. 1t is
thought that Daniel pictures the rise
and fall of this great power. These
men tell us that Daniels prophecy is
fulfilling as fast as the Russian armies
march. | am not, myself, a success at
deciphering prophecy, and | merely give
this as the testimony of the experts