The morning times., 1897-02-28
THE MosLEM JONAH.
Evidently Forty Days in the Belly
of POrDOise

or q Porpoise.
The Koran tells us that "Yunus (Jenas)
was OF those who were sent when he
fled into the loaded ship, and they castIots
among themselves. and he was condemned;
and the fish swallowed him, for he was
worthy Of blame. Chapter xxxvn.
The Moslems have their ancient Scrip
lures, giving history Of the world, fIom
Adam down through their great prophet,
Ibrahim (Abrahaml. Prof. Edwin Johnson,
of London, undertakes toprOve, in his Rise
of Christendom," 1892, that the Hebrew
Bible is hundred years younger than the
Moslem Chronicle of Al Tabani, which was
redacted about \. ID. SEQ, and that the
New Testament was composed after a. d.
1900.
According to the Moslem Scriptures
Jonas, prophet OF the children IL Israel,
was sent to city OF the territory of Nous
soul, which embraced Antioch and several
other towns, ali given 20 idOlatry. The
people refused TO believe, and Allah threat
ened a chastisement shoulG they not re
pent on the day appointed Jonas de
parted, and Allah sent a red cloud filled
with fire, which lowered over the city
in the night. The king and the people
gathered together. The king said; Seek
for Jonas, that we may believe Allah, Tor
what he has told US is the truth.
When Jonas heard that they sought him,
he said, in anger: why did they not be-
lieve this day?" So he would hot return
The king caused all the people 70 go
forth out OF the city, with their quadru-
peds and birds. There they covered them
4, Il
Lord, though Jonas, thy prophet, be gone,
we lose not confidence in Thee. We believe
on thee, Allah, and thy prophet" The
prayers and sobs OF the multitude made the
angels in heaven weep, and Allah pardOned
the city.
But Jonas was not there; he had en-
barked on 4 passing vessel and was FAR out
at sea. Allah caused a big fish TO stop
the vessel The crew prayed and
wept and prepared for death Then Jonas
knew that he had committed a sin and he
said to the sailors: 1t is l whom the fish
desires; cast me to it" When they knew
he was prophet OF Allah they refused to
do it, but they cast lots, and the lot fell
on Jonas. Then he cast himself into the
sea and was swallowed by the fish. This
species OF fish, says the Koran, has a
raised back like the roof of house, and to
this day is held sacred from pursuit. The
Greek word both in Matthew and the
Septuacirt is ketOs, properly translated
"w hale - but there are only two or
three small species OF cetaceans in the
Mediterranean Sea. The description IN
the Koran answers to a porpoise.
After forty days Jonas was inspired
with the thought of prayer. Allah sent
an angel to lead the fish ashore at the
place where Jonas had embarked. Then
he was cast up, as weak as newborn
child. Allah inspired a doe to come and
give him milk. The sun scorched his body
and Allah inspired a gOurd to spring up
around drsStrunk and put forth leaves,
which gave shade to Jonas For forty days
was he sucked by the doe until he was
able to rise and pray.
AT last the gourd withered and Jonas
was aggrieved. Then Allah reproved him
for not being grieved d for the many
thousands of the people he had deserted.
Jonas was sent anew to the now repent
ant people. He net a shepherd who told
him they were seeking him. He bade
the shepherd go and ten them he was
here. Where shalt thou be?' said the
shepherd in this mountain" answered
Jonas. who viii show me the road
TO thee?" said the shepherd. This she
goat answered Jonas. Who Win bear
witness that I have seen thee" said the
shepherd. Tiny dog" answered Jonas.
Then the shepherd departed and Jonas
entered the mountain.
The shepherd went and told the king
and people and they came forth 10 find
Jonas. Pear witness for me- said the
shepherd 10 his dog, ''as the prophet COM
mauded.' The dog responded distinctly,
saving, Jonas, son OF Natal, prophet OF
Allah, was here" Thenthe shepherd said
tothe goat. BE our guide, and size led them
to Jonas who was founddeepin prayer lie
rose and went with them 10 the city and
there re eInained Untilhis death. W.HB