Ellsworth American., 1877-11-01


peclally As you have fulfilled the condi-
tions 40 admirably. lIarper's Magaz ue
The Flag CT the Prophet.
Since the commencement OF the war be-
tween Russia and Turkey. the world has
several times been startled by the an
nouneement that the Flag OF the Prophet"
was about TO be unfurled In the streets OF
Stamb1ul. Such an event. If It should hap
pen which may heaven avert. would pro-
claim a crusade In which all true Mussul-
mans would be bound to take an active
part, and to fight against Christianity in
every part of the world. They may be 10
India. Arabia, Egypt. or wherever else
their scattered race has found a home; the
raising OF the green standard Is a call
which none may disobey without. a. the
Koran lays II down, sacrificing all his hopes
OF Paradise.
This fearful appeal TO all the wors, pas
sions OF the Eastern races hangs like n
menace over the Mohammedan world and
II the world was once uttered and the
dread flag uniuGled, there is no telling tn
what sangutnary e1cesses It might lead an
enthusiastic aud hslisavage people. The
Prophet himself predicted that one lay
dred mIlllons-ndkb they do 'ANk. with
twenty millions NJ \tsdded to i[NssEhag 2
kould fly against dvancing powAp
NJ yorthern races y Hbe Koran or M
hammedan Bible says ~ when its ,ilken
folds are flung forth "the earth will shake,
the mountains melt into Dust. the seas
blaze up In fire. and the childreus hair
grow white with anguish" This language
Is OF course metaphoricsl; but il Is easy to
conceive, By the light of every recent his
tory, that some such catastrophe might
take place. as the displaying of this terri
bic symbol would raise frenzy OF fanati-
cism In the breasts OF the Mohammedan
race all over the globe.
The origin OF the insignia Is a curious
one. Mobammed gazing out upon a vast
prospect Of fields. said: Mature Is green
and green shall be my emblem, for It Is
everlasting and universal" In course OF
time, however. IL lost that innocent signi-
ficance; amid his visions. the great dream
er saw the Green Flag floating as a sign
that all tr,ie believers should take up their
arms and march against the Infide in
fact the green turban was the sacred head
dress OF the pilgrim or perfected Islamite
who had gone 10 Mecca; and hence the
sanctity OF this formidable standard.
When once unfurled IL summons ali
Islam by an adjurstion 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 or hell" Upon that
fearful eusign are inserted the words which
are supposed TO have been written at
Mecca .itself-namely, "All who draw Ii
1.-The sword will be rewarded with tenn
poral advantages; every drop shed OF
their blood. every peril and hardship en-
dured by them, will be registered on high
as more meritorious than either fasting or
praying. II they fall In battle. their sins
will be at once blotted out, and they will
be transported to Paradise. there to revel
In eternal pleasures in the arms OF black
eyed houris. But for the drst heaven are
reserved those of the Faithful who die
within sight OF the Green Flag Of the Pro-
phet." Then follow the terrible and all
signihcant words. the fearful war-cry
against God aud map: Then may no man
give or expect mercy"
This Is the Outburst OF barbarism with
which the world Is threatened.n this year
OF grace 1877; and the reader cannot 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 ''tempor al
advantages ?" While to the Eastern peo-
pie fasting and praying are looked upon a.
of so meritorious a nature. that TO find
something else which. III the ewes OF Allah,
would be drem"d of y eater value still.
would be a desideratnIn which none would
fail to grasp. By any ,"eans whatever. If it
came within their zach. But Mohsmmed's
wonderful knowledge OF human nature. Is
shown in his picture Of Paradise as pre-
pared for the Faithful who fall In battle
while his declaration that the highest heav-
en- 10 this so called Paradise will be re-
served for those who die within sight OF
the Green Flag. is n masterpiece OF devil
ish policy unequalled in the annals of man.
kind.
II scarcely needed the fearful words
which follow to add emphasis to this dread
ful appeal to the passions OF semi.barba-
rous race. Another motto on this sacred
flag il not without significance at the pres
ent time: The gates Of Paradise are
under the shade Of swords - aud this alone
would, II the flag were unfurled in the holy
mosque Of fCoBstantinople, give to the Turk
moral power over his subordinates the
effect Of which It would be in vain to cal
culate. Civilized though he partially is,
he still firmly believes In the old doctrine
Of kis'nes or fatality, and in angels fighting
on bis behalf; not less implicitly than did
his ancestors at the battle Of Beder, where
this formidable green standard was first
unfurled. There" says the historian,
.'they eelevated the standard. which Mo-
BANNED from his height 10 heaven blessed"
Thus arose the great tradition of this sa-
cred war.emblem, which 1t Is . Turkish
boast Was never yet captured 10 battle.
though It was once 10 extreme peril in a
fight between hill aud plain; when Mo-
BANNED himself had Il snatched out Of his
hands. Ali, his kinsman. however, thrust
himself 10 front OF hundred spears. and
won the victory with the Immaculate flag
flying over his head.
The unfarling Of the banner would be
performed with great religious ceremony,