Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-12-25
THURSDAY. DECEM

But when we rememberthe migrator
habits and pursuits OF the native q
Arabia. this is no more reproach tina
to call an American citizen farmer,
merchant Or lawyer. All things ar
G imperative, and the most ordinar,
financial standing furnishes with u
more solid comfort and even lnxuries
than can be obtained by the proudes
schiek of the desert.
And even If it were reproach
came with an exceedingly poor grac'
from those who taught that their owl
Savior was the son of the wife. of q poo
carpenter of the House of David.
But il the assertion were intended
as q reproach, it may easily be refutet
by an examination OF his ancestry. He
as do all the natives of his country
together with the Hebrews, claimed
and are able to prove. that their com
mon ancestor was Abraham, the fathe,
of the whole Semitic race. A genoa.
logical tree to which the most ancien,
of the world ara as of yesterday. But,
be that as 1t may. Mohammed could
trace his ancestry to remote times
through many princes of the tribe ol
Koreish, the most noble and highly
esteemed family in all Arabia.
His grandfather and four lineal pre-
decessors had exercised the chief 81
fhoritxy n Nfar.oo u;. ..,,,, fn,h,.
the leader who headed the citizens, his
own kinsmen, In that conflict which
ended i'm disaster to the Aoyssinian in-
vasion above referred to.
The young man was skilled in all
the learning Of his fellows. His was
mind which went far beyond. and soar
ed far above theirs. He was states
man of the highest order. a warrior
who was never defeated, philanthro-
pist who sought to ameliorate the con-
dition of his people.
The vain and empty rites of Polythe-
ism were reflected by his clear intellect;
the stern exclusiveness Of the Jews re-
pulsed him; the doctrines of Zoroaster
were unsatisfactory, and especially SO
when brought from Persia, q country
for whose natives the Arab had con-
tempt, aud Christianity, with its doc
trines OF peace and love for all men was
unsuited to the spirit of a people with
whom war, robbery and lust were in
practices.
Still Mohammed seized upon relig ion
as the fulcrum with which to bring his
people into one homogeneous and pow
erful nation.
Whatever the motives success CROWN
I'd his efforts to greater aud more
asting degree than has ever, either
before or since, attended the efforts OF
my one man.
His wonderful ability and personal
like that of Louis the
reversed that familiar rule
hat familiar acquaintance has dis
effect. Louis, though o.
mall man, was, until his death, con-
idered of majestic stature. and though,
he arose from bed and ate, daily, in the
presence of hundreds his dignity never
suffered from the exhibition.
So with Mohammed. His first wife,
he widow who had endowed him with
Ter riches, and his slave were his first
and his most faithful and un-
believers. His numerous
wives and his constant and daily asso-
'iates received his every word, look
md gesture as an inspiration from the
aod of the Faithful. Familiarity dido
lot breed contempt.
His doctrines, adap ted to the man.
lers, customs, desires aud surroundings
( warlike and sensuous people, have
TODD the test of time and now number
more vOtaries than any other sect save
me, on the face of the globe.
From the earliest times his ancestors
lad been accustomed to intercourse
With the Jews, and ample opportuni-
les were afforded OF becoming ac-
Iuainted with the strict, stern and ex-
lusive doctrines of the Pharisees and
especially so since Christian
ty had triumphed over Polytheism in
he west, and ITS votaries had turned
he secular arms against the sons of
hose who had crucified the Savior on
; Israelites fled To their brethren of the
esert for protection and shelter, and
he robber did not say him nay.
Close following upon the conversion
t Constantine from the Worship OF his
ather, to the purer doctrines of Chris
ianity, broke out those bitter dissen-
ions in the church, the seeds of which
lad long laid buried under oppression,
,ut which the sun of power and smile
# favor SOON caused to sprout into q
,igantic tree, its roots unse ttling the
Dundation of the whole social fabric.
Christian prosecuted Christian, aud |
O. day it was the Arian, tomorrow It
vas the AthanAsiall, or the HISTORIAN,
r Manichean, who sought that liberty, /
mong the burning sands, he could not
ind in the home of his birth. With
uccess purchased by serviiity to de-
women and illiterate men hold
ne the reins Of government which the
legions of some had made
II powerful, the factions did not re-
member to be patient and long suffer
mo-. and to bear love and charity to all