New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-07
MAHOMErANIsM AS A RULE OF LIFE.

TO the Editor OF The Tribune
SIR: Your countryman Alexander Russell Webb
has become n convert to the faith Of Mahomet. ana
considers he is called upon to preach his newy-ad'
opted faith to his counrymen in the United states OF
America
No one has right to question either the honesty
Of Mr.. webbs convictions or the propriety OF his
resolve. This Is free country, and this Is the
Nineteenth century. But the people Of the United
states must be put their guard against being
drawn BY specious arguments o: mere personal mag
netsm to follow Mr.. Webb in his new load 70
Paradise.
Mahometani,m like all other religions. must b
tested by the lives OF its dcvoees. However lofty
may be its conceptions OF supreme Being, 1t is By
the effects Ct religious system OH the characters
and lives Of its followers that We must Judge OF us
real merits. The day is passed when men shus
their eyes to the truth and beauty that lie embedded
In the ancient religions Of the world But thas
readiness to acknow ledge what Is true and groa
should be C upled with caution in exchanging one
religion for another. II To choose we must
choose that creed which combines LOFTY IDEAS Win
practical benehccnce and pers onal purity.
| lived eighteen years in one Of the most intensely
Nabometnn countde, I'm the w,rid-Morocco- ana
am bold to affirm that in the principles and practice
Of truth and honesty In dealing with Others es
pecally those Of other faiths. In the admins
tration Of justice and In personal puiy there aoes
not exist IA more degraded and corrupt country on
the face Of the earth. Lying and cheating ana
stealing are so common that few Mahome'ans
trust even their bosom friends. 1t is an ordinary
practice to invoke the Of Allah. OF Mahomet'
OF All and other saints In conversation. Everybody
seems conscious that his bare word Will not %
believed. In buying and selling. all the oatns an"
afiirmatons Of the vendor are disregarded DIV 'h'
purchaser. They both lie TO one another with inc
names Of saint. prophet. or even Allah on the.
lips stories related Of honest Bashas who tried
to put down thieving by drastic measures But even
the branding Of the thief cutting of his hsnd'
or breaking his ankle bones did not the tievlns
propensitics OF the Mahom.tans OF Morocco.
laughabe story is told OF a Basha who watched 70
spectacle Moor steal melon from gardener anu
sent TO meet him and have him bought s'rs'sh'
before him with the melcn secreted under the io'd'
OF his white bournous. The cruel Easha had inc
derrd the thief to receive many stripes on the
calves IF his legs there We're seeds In TIE neon
As 10 the administration OF justice there ~
hardly Cadi who l. above bribery. In fact. II Won
want justice. YOU must first go round TO the tsa,
house and leave present for lm OF his WIFE, ahs
II your opponent goes there with present too, why
the richer gift will secure the Cadi's judgment:
and very TO ear Marriages so%om snd emooS
stand up on the day OF judgment and condemn
il the treatment of enemies and war capiives ~
criterion OF pety. what shall We say OF peoPw
who give no quarter and who decapitats their p Pr
by the followers Of Islam on Christians ana ievs.
The poor Armenians OF Caesarea are having tss,e
OF the goodness OF Mahometanism Just at presen.
Mahometans who die killing inides 90 straight 70
the bosom OF Mshomet In Paradise. and have no
end OF beautiful houiIs up there. a.
To compare Mahomet and his harem en- cara
Of fifteen or more wives. and his greater haren ~
Paradise. with tho pure and sclfdenying Jesuss
would be sheer blasphcmy Which OF the two !
wonder. would any Of place before sons y
model OF life or wish to stand by our Gy'os
beds! a
MAXWELL NJ. BENOLIEL, Minister Of the ChufeSS
OF England and the Protestant Episcopal Chufss
OF America.
st. Andrews Rectory, Jacksonville, Fla, March H.
1909.