The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-27
Tho Koran and It's Teachings.
SIMILARITY TO THE OLD TESTANENT-TIIE
PRINCIPAL DOCTRINES.

baptist QusrtcryI
The revelations which were made to Mo-
hammed are contained in the Koran, which
has ever been and still is the Bible OF his
followers. 1t is divided into one hundred
and fourteen chapters. which were de-
liycred at different times through course
OF wears, as circumstances required, the
latter portions often rcvoking and con-
,radictin" the earlier. As the differ
cnt portions were given by the angel.
they were proclaimed, and then written
down bv scribe on palm-lcaves. skins, or
other fit materials, and these loose scripts
we're thrown promiscuously into an ark or
chest, After the prophets death they were
taken out and published with the slightest
rerard 10 order, method, dates, or subjects,
so that the student has no means OF tindlng
the propcr place OF any chapter but by COM
Darinr it with the prophets history and
seeing where it will best tit the occasion.
This makes the Koran Il very difficult book
TO read or study to any advantage.
The teachings Of the Koran correspond
in many points with those OF the Old les
lament, particularly in regard to the crca-
ton OF the world. the fall OF Adam, the
general deluge, the dcliverance of Noah
and his family in the ark, the call OF Abra-
ham, the stories Of Isaac and lsilmael, OF
Jacob and the Patriarchs: the selection OF
the Jews aS Gods chosen people; the pro
pbctic office, miracles and administration or
Moses; the inspiration and authority OF
the Hebrew historians, prophets, and
psalmiStS, especially OF David and Solo
mon: and, lastly. the promises of
the Messiah, with many OF the nc
companying predictions respecting 1t. 1hcy
agree also with the New Testament IN the
recognition OF Jesus Christ as the Messiah oil
the Jews, in His miraculous conception,
His immaculate nativity. His numerous
miracles, His rejection by His own country
men, His condemnation to the death Of the
cross, His bodily ascension into heaven, His
officlating there as mediator between God
and man, and His coming to judge the
world at the last day. The acquaintance OF
Mohammed with these leading facts OF our
sacred history may be accounted for by ms
early and long-contnued acquaintance with
Jews and Christians.
The principal doctrine OF the Koran Is
that so oft repeated: There is no God but
God, and Mohammed is his prophet The
Trinity is rejected, and also the divinity OF
Christ. Mohammed taught the universal
providence Of God and kind OF predesti-
nation-not that OF the Scriptures, but more
nearly resembling heathen fate. He believed
in an innumerable company OF angels, a
future retribution, general resurrection
and Judgment, paradise for the faithful
and terrible hell for all his enemies. He
believed in a purgatory for those whose
moral disorders are susceptible OF cure, but
for the miserable remnant there is no hope.
OF the moral and religious duties incul-
Gated in the Koran some are commendable
and useful. In the former part OF his min
istry Mohammed often enjoined upon his
followers the duties of patience and sub
mission. but in the latter part they were
measurably forgotten. No duty IS more
frequently enioincd in the Koran than
prayer. He speaks Of prayer as "the
pillar OF religion and the key OF para
disc TO his followers he prescribed tive
stated seasons of prayer every day. The
first is in the morning. between day and sum
rise; the second immediately after noon;
the third at the middle hour, between noon
and sunset; the fourth between sunset and
dark the fifth an hour and a half after
night has fully set in. These seasons OF
prayer arc still scrupulously observed in all
Mohammcdan countries. The mlezZein, or
crier, from the top OF the mosque, proclaims
the hour OF prayer, when every good Mus
sulman, wherever he may be or however
employed, is obliged to pause and go
through with his devotions.
- Fasting is another duty of the Mohamme-
dan religion. The great feast OF Ramdan is
continued through the whole OF the ninth
month OF the Arabic year. No food must
be taken through the hours OF daylight, but
hen the evening cones the yotary gives
himself up, without restraint, to the plea
sures of tue table and such other gratltica.
tons us his heart desires.
Frequent ablutions and al,nsglvlng are
also to be leckoned among the duties OF the
Mohammedan religion.
Mohammed prohibited to his followers
the sin Of gambling and the use OF strong
drinks. Bv strict MussuImans these in.
functions are observed. while by the more
liberal class they are disregarded.
Polygamy is permitted and practiced
among the followers OF Mohammed. lie
limited his followers to the number OF foul
wives, while he was allowed to have a;
many as he pleased. E..