New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-10
CHANGE WORKING IN ISLAM
THE MAHDIsT THEoRY-TRoUBLoUS TIMES
FOR THE ARMENIANs.

strongly the great change that is taking place
in the Mahometan world. There was q time
when this chief priest exerted q sway scarcely
second to that of the Satan himself. BE was
the spiritual head of the nation and as the govern
ment is founded on religious system his au-
thority was at least coequal with that OF any
civil dignitary At times he did not hesitate
to challenge the rulings of the civil courts, and
did not finch at coming into conflict with the
Sultan's own DEGREES. In fact no important
law or other act of government was ever pro-
mulgated without his counsel and sanction hav-
ing been secured. Had there ever been an open
breach between them, and an appeal &c the nation,
there is no doubt that the vast majority of true
Mahometans would have sided with their spirit
ual head. For several years past, however, the
influence of the priests both here and at Con-
stantinople, has very greatly diminished. and
the cause is not far to seek. Both the Sultan
and the Khedive have come to realize their de-
pendence upon the Christian Powers Of Europe
for very existence. While they are permitted
to keep up show Of authority, and are per-
mitted to some extent TO misgovern the realm
Of Islam, they know very well that in all i'm
portant matters their work is cut out for them
by the statesmen of Europe Against this state
Of affairs the priests have struggled, but inefect-
ualy. And so the Sheik-ulIslam has reached
the end Of his race with scarcely shadow
left Of his former authority.
In some remoter parts of the Empire, however,
Mahometan fanaticsm has mace more deter
mined stand against the influx of Christian in
fluence. The revolt Of Mohammed Ahmed, who
called himself Ell Madh, in the Soudan, was
purely q religious uprising So is the warfare
maintained by his successor, who is also, but of
course incorrectly, called FL Madhi. 1t may be
explained that Ell Madhi means simply The Pro-
phet. For centuries the Mahometan world has
been looking for his coming the Jews looked
for the Messiah. Some said he was to be the
successor Of Mahomet; others that lie was TO
be Mahomet himself returned to Garth. But
as one or the other all pious Mdhometans con-
stantly looked for his coming, except very
small sect, who held the prophecy concerning
him in scorn and derision. At the Holy City
in Arabia there Is a sacred WELL within mosque,
in which FL Madhi was supposed TO dwell or
to manifest himself, spiritually To the brink
of this well, in the door of The mosque,
faithful sons of Islam were permitted TO crawl,
promo on their faces, and peer downward for
sight of the gIimmering radiance on the water,
which was believed to indicate the presence
of the sacred spirit of Ell Mahdi The dis
believers in Ell Mahdi would sometimes go there,
too disguised, and when no one was looking
would spit contem ptuously into the holy we'll
1t was risky thing TO do, though, for If caught
at it the offender was promptly put TO death,
being crucifed head downward
The belief in FL Mahdi, however, is weakening.
When Mohammed Ahmed proclaimed himself
20 be the expected one all Islam was ready
to accept him and rally to his standard. 1t was
i'm plicit faith in him the dvinely sent prophet
that led thousands to join him, TO rebel against
the Khedive. and to wrest the Soudan from
Egyptian control When Gordon held him at
bay SO long OF Khartoum, however, faith in his
pretensions began to weaken. II he really were
Fl Mahdi, the people thought, he ought TO be able
20 annihilate the Christian at blow. And when
al last the self-styled Mahdi himself died of small
pox it became evident to all that he was not
the looked-for prophet But although he is now
admitted 20 have been pretender, there is still
much enthusiasm for him and for his successor
as being the leaders of q movement TO restore
Mahometanlsm 20 It's former purity, and to rid
Islam Of the sway of the Christian
Shorn Of its temporal sovereignty, the See OF
Rome is now endeavoring to extend its spiritual
sway over various provinces OF the Christian
world that have hitherto maintained an attitude
OF independence. There has just been made
public a most interesting document addressed
nv the Pore to the Armenian Church. 1t is
thus entitled:
Circular of Our Holy Master, and by Divine
Providence, Supreme Pontif, Leo XIII, to the
Honorable Brethren, Stephanos Bedros X, Patri-
arch of Ciicia, Archbishops and Bishops, Beloved
Sons Clergy and Monks, and the Community
Of the Armenian Faith, who are under the Grace
and Communion of the Apostolic See, Leo Pom
till XIII"
The address then in ceremonious phrases, con-
graduates the Armenian churches upon the
unity and concord that has been established
among them; dwells much upon the desirability
Of unity throughout the whole Christian world;
rehearses the story of the ancient alliances OF
the Armenian and Roman churches; tells OF the
hnildine bv Leo XIII of O school for the educa-
tion Of Armenian youths at Rome; and finally
urges the entire Armenian Church 10 return TO
com nlete union with that of Rome, and to ac-
knowledge the supreme authority of the Ponth-
cal See To this an equally elaborate though
nerbars less ceremonious reply has been made
bv Bishop Melchisedek Mooradian, writing from
Constantinope, and addressing the Pope simply
To Our Honorable and Gracious Brother, Leo
XIII. The Greeting of Jesus" The use OF the
term Brother instead OF Holy Father sounds
the keynote of the whole document, and IT IS
many times repeated. The Bishop again and
again addresses the Pope as Gracious Brother
and in no other way and treats him always
as an equal, never as a superior He argues that
the Cburob in Armenia Is equally well founded
with that In Rome, and that any thought OF
making IL subordinate to the Papal See is not
for n moment to be tolerated. Then he speaks
with startling directness and vigor on another
phase of the question, which will furnish topics
for serious diplomatic consideration / quote
the Bishops own words:
Russian diplomacy, rather than the Greek
Church, now Expresses freedom of conscience in
Armenia, and to-day the Armenian Church stands
against both Russia and Rome. You write US
10 enter the Roman fold; and the diplomacy
Of Russia is already of work among us. You
merely invite us. Russia commands. Both have
in view the same object-to destroy the indepen-
dence nay, the very existence, of the Armenian
Church. Alas Honored Brother! Why could