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.rabs, those propagators of learning,

Arahs, those propagators of learning,
who FIRST taught the science of Algebra.
we must not Judge of them by their re-
ligion, or by what they themselves we're
at the time their prophet was living;
put we must judge them by what the
inhdel Arabs grew to be, freed from the
| shackles of Mohammedan superstition
SO lar as the Mohammedan religion
IS concerned, it is foolish and absurd in
LQucl., and in the early stages Of its le-
yvetopmen,, the Arabs opposed learning
with iaaa,acisin born - hatred anil.
revenge, but after they had been stirred
the first few centuries of its growth by
war and intrigue, and making conquests
which are too numerous to mention
here, they allied themselves with learn
ing, studied science, law and literature
In all their branches, and there rapidly
rose among them, distinguished teach
ers If astronomy, philology, alchemy,
medicine and many men Of letters AZ
ter they had settled in their new domin-
ion they laid the foundation of all the
great sciences of modern times, made
great Improvements in Geometry and
Trigonometry, ascertained the size of
the earth and determined its shape, and
introduced great improvements in agri-
culture and manufactures. tSee Drapers
Conflict between Science and Reig-
ion,' Chapter W.
Within quarter of a century after
the death of Mohammed, education had
become settled principle, and all who
were desirous of obtaining knowledge
were admitted to the court of Alinansor,
whatever their religious opinions might
be. The Kaliffs of Bagdad were them
selves men of letters, and under their
protection schools for the education of
Philosophers were established, the Ara
bic language was sedulously cultivated,
and learning became the ruling power.
Ali, Almansor, Alraschid and Almaimon
were men of the greatest erudition. Al
maimon we are told, had the greatest
advantages in the way of obtaining both
a classical andlliberal education, having
been brought up among the most learn
ed of Greek and Persian scholars. AL
raschind, the successor of Almansor,
was such great admirer and patron of
genius that he disliked to travel, with
out being accompanied by a hundred
scholars of the first rank. 1t was this
great sovereign who issued an edict that
mo mosque should be built without
school attached to it, and confided the
superintendent of his schools to the
historian Masne." (See Draper's Intel
lectual Developm ent," chapter KILL
What contrast Mohamlnedan anlbi-
tion presents to tue Christian hatred of
learning in those days! We are told by
Draper that by these sovereigns num-
erous Libraries were established, univer-.
sition founded in all of the great cities
and Greek manuscripts collected, cop
led and revised. Speaking of the splend-
i'd and rapid conquests of Mohamme-
danism, this great historian says: From
its most glorious seats, Christianity was
forever expelled; from Palestine, the
scene of its most sacred recollections;
from Asia Minor, that of its first church,
es; from Egypt, whence issued the great
doctrine of trinitarian orthodoxy; from
Carthage who imposed her belief on Eu-
rope"
Especially are we told that the pro-
gress of Mohammedanism was not due
to the sword alone, but to the conscience
es of men to the intolerance of and dis
satisfaction existing among the Chris
tian proselytes of Asia and Africa. The
wrangling and hatred of the different
sects, the struggle for supremacy be-
tween the Christian dignitaries of the
three great cities, their resorting to the
sword as means of settling the theo-
logical disputations; all this created a
general spirit of disgust among the ad-
herents of the Christian religion.
what an example when ecclesiastical
dignitaries were concerned in assassin
ations, poisonings, adulteries, bindings,
riots, treasons, civil wars; when patri-
arch and primates were excommunicat-
ing and anathematizing one another in
their rivalry for earthly power, bribing
eunuchs with gold and courtesans and
royal families with concessions of Epis-
copal love, and influencing the decisions
of councils asserted to speak with the
voice of God, in their packed assem-
blies. Among the terrors and riot car
ried into the imperial armies and great
cities arose hideous clamors for theOlog-
ical dogrias, but never a voice for intel
lectual liberty or the outraged rights of
uian." (See Draper).
Although this is not within the scope
Of our discussion, it is a pleasure to
speak Of it, for so blind are we to the
great things that have been accomplish
ed by those who did not accept our own
religious faith. The Mohammedan con-
quests, it seems to me, form a most i'm
portant part of religious history, and
often wonder if Providence was asleep
when Christian trophies were being de-
molished and Christian victories so ruth
lessly trampled beneath the feet of Arab
ian soldiers.
No wonder that by the time of Mo-
hammeds death, the religion he had
founded was growing stupendous and
stretching beyond the bounds of Arabia.
Proudly above the hideous clamor that
disturbed the Eutychians, historians
and Arabians, resounded the victorious
tread of Saracen armies, while free from
the heat of trinitarian controversy, rang
out the stupendous battle cry, There is
but one God, and Mohammed is his
prophet"
Mohammedanism is an improvement
on Christianity, in that it teaches the
existence of only one God. Scientific ma
terialism Is an improvement on Moham-
mechanism, in that it teaches the exist
ence OF none at all. You say that you
shall wait until Christina shall come,
seated on his pale horse and armed to
destroy all evil The rest of us will pa
tiently await the coming of Christ
| Sincerely your friend,
MAY l.. COLLINS.