The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-04
MoHAMMBDAN1sM AND CHRISTIANITY.

A paper read at the last Church Congress in
England by Rev. Canon Isaac Taylor, on
'Mohammedanism," has excited great deal
of comment and discussion. This high
functionary of the Church of England stated
in effect that in Asia and Africa Islamism is
more successful missionary religion than
Christianity. It advances at a more rapid
rate. It holds all that it wins. In some
regions it actually beats back Christianity.
1t is a better religion for rude tribes. Chris
tianity is '@too spiritual, too lofty" The
Jews, the most susceptible of all races to high
religious ideas, needed a long preparatory
training before the gospel could be preached
to them. What, therefore, could be expected
of the debased tribes of Africa7 The Canons
argument in substance was that Mohammed-
ansm answered an excellent purpose as a
preparatory religion for the people among
advance on heathenism, and, in fact
long approach toward Christianity
He charactered Mohammedanism as a
reformed Judaism" only better than Juda-
ism ''inasmuch as it recognizes the miracles
and the Messiahship of Christ" It had
worked wonders in curing prevalent vices and
in promoting the virtues of temperance,
chastity, justice, benevolence, hospitality,
truthfulness, and the practice of the golden
rule. "Islanaism," said Canon Taylor, '.has
abolished drunkenness, gambling and prosti-
tution-the three curses of Christian lands.
Islam is the closest approach to Christianity
which has BEEN able to take hold of Eastern
or Southern nations. It is superior to the
sinian churches. Moslems are already i'm
perfect Christians; let us try to perfect their
religion rather than vainly endeavor
to destroy it, and we may posi-
bly,, transform Islam into Christianity" This
paper called out several letters, and these
in turn replies from Canon Taylor. The dis
cussion shows that Mohammedanism is adj
vancing very rapidly in Africa, and wherever
it exists is not only holding it's own, but gain
ing ground much faster than Christianity.
The whole effect of Canon Taylor's paper and
of the subsequent discussion has been to put
the missionary efforts of Christian churches
on the defensive and to raise doubt as to
their practical results. The Canon said, II do
Africa, but it must be the work
of centuries, not of years" This view is
not surprising. in view of the wide prevalence
of Islam and its still proselyting vigor among
Oriapfal panrlaS and savaOa trihaS Accord.
ing to latest statistics there are not less than
POI, 900, 900 Mohammeda ms in the world, COM
pared with $40 000, 900 Buddhists and 388,
900 Christians; and it must be remem-
bered that the propagation of Islam commenced
six centuries after that OF Christianity. There
were never many Moslems in the world as
there are at present In fact Mohammedan-
ism still has tremendous vitality and is a
gigantic religious and social system. The
Christian world should realize this and
not deceive itself with the erroneous
idea that Islam is fast melting away
before the advance of Christianity. It is
doing nothing of the kind. In view of the
testimony of those most familiar with the
facts concerning its strength and growth. the
testimony of Christian missionaries, it is
ident that the contest between Christianity
and Mohammedanism, not to speak of Bud
dhism and heatherism, is to be one of cent
uries. There is nothing in this to discourage
Christian efforts to evangelize the world.
Each generation lives in its own time and
does its own work. DR.. Clark, secretary OF
the American Board OF Missions, says, "The
startling statements of Canon Taylor may
well arouse the Christian church TO
m ore earnest efforts in behalf of
the worlds evangelization. We are
but yet playing at missions" The Rev.
Thomas P. Hughes. twenty-ons years a mis-
sionary in Afghanistan, and thoroughly con-