The herald., 1893-05-22
MOHAMMEDANISM.
A RELIGIOUS SOLUTION OF The
SOUTHERN NEGRO PROBLEM.

Such, 1t Is Suggested, May the Teachings
of MohamHned webb Prove--sorething
About the Religions of Other Lands.
Buddhism and Hindooisn.
A very afniable and lovable man, Mr..
Mohammed Webb, Is In this country
looking over the field to decide whether
or not the United States is q promising
field for the exploiting of the Moham-
rnedan faith. He does not undertake to
make proselytes to his religion without
giving the faiths already in the field fair
notice of his probable Intentions This
is certainly reasonable, though it is more
than we of the Christian churches do
when we send missionaries to India and
Central Asia The Mohammedan reli-
gion has probably 1876, 000,00 believers
and has many very charming features
There are objections to it likewise that
we shall not attempt to defend. It is
true that in our highly civilized land we
do not prohibit q rnnn from marrying
four or five Zines, but we insist that he
shall have been legally released from
previous matrimonial obligations The
religion of Islam, mindful of the uncer-
tainties of life and the vagaries of human
happiness, winks at polygamy, while it
does not enjoin it. 70 employ the smile
alphabetically, we drive tandem, while the
Mohamnedan harnesses up four or more
in hand.
Among the features that ought to COM
mend Mohammedanism to large pro-
portion of our citizens is it's stanch de-
votion to hbsention from strong drink
Belief In God is admitted and enjoined.
AS in Buddhism, kindness to all animals
IL commanded Its conception of pur-
gatory is picturesque, for good and bad
souls alike have to cross the bridge AL
STRAIT, that spans hell and is described
as finer than hair and sharper than the
edge Of sword. Many believing
Christian will take considerable comfort
in the thought that the Mohammedan
finds it quite as difficult to attain the
kingdom of heaven as does he. Predes-
tination was a cardinal doctrine of the
prophet, but we Christians have been
wont to ascribe its PRONUNCIATION TO the
political motive of rendering his follow
'ers contemptuous Of danger and suffer
ing.
The Mohammedan religion is simple
enough and is divided into faith and
practicable latter including prayer,
almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage to
Mecca. Taken by and large, 1t is a thor
oughly practical religion for the races
who lead rornadic lives, and one pre-
eminently calculated for propagation at
the swords point. It is the latest of all
the great faiths Of theworld, only dating
back to 6e2 A. D., while Buddhism is
probably Of 1 200 years earlier origin and
Hindooism 800 years earlier still.
There is just one field in this country
for the introduction of the simple and
trusting faiths of the east, and that is
the great negro population Of the south.
The hearts Of the lowest types Of the col
| ored races are receptive and naturally
religious, and any faith new to them that
will supplant Voodooism ought to be
welcomed by the stanchest Christian.
There are today 100000 Of believers in
that strange and disgusting mysticism.
The southern negro must have o re-
/ iigion of pr . creduiity, with plenty of
rewards and the nildest possible punish
ments. Buddhism, whose adherents to-
day number more than one-third Of the
human race, might suit him did it only
promise heaven or some equally at
tractive future abiding place. But it
offers nothing better than extinction; no
God, no soul, no hope--save annihila-
toni 1t is dream of peace-of eternal
sleep, Nirvana coming to the believer
like the shutting out Of taper. Bud
dhism never has been are heion Of fsnati-
cisrn, but has always been charitable
and tolerant
If the millions of negroes in the gulf
states, who are today in the grossest in
tcllectual and moral ignorance, could
have formulated for their use new
creed uniting some Of the beautiful
teachings of Gantanaa and Mohammed,
they might be graided in the direction of
purer and nobler lives. Christianity
could come later if they felt the need of
it, but we do not believe that any man
or woman who knows the facts regard
ing the class to which we refer will deny
that Mohanlfnedanisfn or Buddhism,
properly introduced and preached, would
advance the condition of that part Of the
i negro Faoe. 0rcAt SCHOchc A%o bNe Will
| derbilt and Lincoln universities and the
institution at Raleigh do not reach the
ricefolds of Georgia, the cotton planta-
tions Of South Carolina or the swatnps
OF Mississippi and Louisiana.
Here are great missionary fields, and,
without prejudice, they can be honestly
recommended TO the advance guard Of
the beneGcent missionary hosts that may
be expected to flock to this country if
Mohammedaf or Buddhist propaganda
be decided upon.-Julius Chambers in
New York Recorder.
The Discovery of Glass.
lni, H.