The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-12

the true norm OF Anal standard Of the rels-
tons between the SEXES. has proved an
insupersble obstacle to the vindication Of
woman's personality and 10 tho elevation
OF her office in the nations which have received
his faith. Cardinal Lavieerie has left his testi-
mony that the Mussulman women OF Central and
Northern Africa are scarcely human beings in
the eyes of the men who Cypress them that
they are born slaves. and are, from infancy. de-
prived Of all moral ideals; that they are brought
up, as they have to live, merely as animals. with
only two sentiments in their hearts, sensuality
and fear"
No doubt those regions of the earth ex-
hibit Islam at its worst. In no Mohammedan
country, however, is woman's rightful place
assigned TO her. and IL is certain that
a social system which refuses TO her
that place can never advance beyond SENT
barbarism. This is the blot upon Mo-
hammedanism which no skill of advocacy can
effsce; this is the cancer which no reformer's
knife can ever cut away. We are cautionsd
against the assumption made by Syed Ameer
All that the position OF women among Moslems
is a mere excrescence upon Mohammed's sys-
tenn. On the contrary, IL proceeds as an inev-
table consequence from the essential defect IN
the conception wherein that system is based.
Mr.. Lilly's discussion Of Islam concludes with
the citation Of some striking by Mr..
MhurlCe on TINS capital homecoming OF the re-
ligion. Recognizing fully the greatness and
vitality OF the t'ieistio doctrine upon which
Islam rests, he insists that man has de-
mands for himself which will not be satisfied
by being told that he il the servant of an abso-
Lutte will" Mr.. Maurice goes on TO show how
all that gave glory and dignity TO Moham-
mechanism has become, from the want Of sat
isfying the demands Just mentioned. the very
cause OF It's degradation. The absolute govern
ment Of the unseen being has presented itself to
the Mussulman In every age under the earthly
form of the absolute visible government
Of Gods Caliph or Sultan. While the recog-
milton of his divine commission was strong
and alive upon the Caliph's part, the subsection
to his rule was an affectionate, dutiful, entire
submission. The ruler was in very truth
the centre of his warriors. He felt toward
them as a protector, sharing their tolls,
bound to the same Master, enduring hardships
in the same cause. But, the battle over and a
conquest accomplished, he became the absolute
monarch in the midst of his ~seraglio his sub
jects were merely his slaves. There was no such
connection between him and the being whom he
worshipped as permanently to check the ten
dency toward despotism; as to make the mon
arch feel that he was set over men TO do them
good, or his subjects that they had an appeal
against him to q higher ruler. The very nature
OF tho Ottoman Government, and that Govern
ment is the perfect development Of the
Mohammedan idea, excludes the possibility
Of orders and gradstions in society. Its
strength lies in all being simple subjects
OF the one ruler; holding their offices
not in virtue Of any hereditary ranks or
privileges, but only at his pleasure. When.
therefore, the one principle which quickened
the whole society waxed feeble, Islam Of neces-
sity became the most intolerable of despotisms.
Elsewhere there Ia . balance and conflict of
powers which, even in the dreariest periods.
produce struggles or paroxysms of life; here. II
the monarch do not inspire his people with
strength. all is dead. Moreover. the same cause
which destroys what may be called the family
bonds of civil society destroys equally the fam
lily itself. Maurice discerned that polygamy Is
no accident Of Mohammedanism, and maintained
that a careful consideration Of the system would
show that II must fall to pieces the moment any
reformer should attempt to remove this charac-
teristio feature. NJ. W. Fl.