The herald., 1897-02-22
SELECTIONS Of SERMONS
Judge Utley in the Univer-
saIist Pulpit
LIFE and DOCTRINES Of MAHOMET
DR.. Thomson Discusses the Les
sons of Failure
LORDS DAY OBSERVANCE
The Subject Of the Rev. B. W. R. TayIer's
Discourse at St. Johns
Or. Rice Enjoins Acceptance Of 1.-The Gift of
Eternal Life"
Or. ncLean breaches on the BIessedness OF
the Assurance of Faith''-David
Walk on the Value of
LORDS DAY OBSERVANCE
The Subject Of the Rev. B. W. R. Tayler's
Discourse at St. Johns
Or. Rice EnjoiGs Acceptance of 1.-The Gift Of
Eternal Life"
Or. 1cLean breaches on the BIessedness OF
the Assurance of Faith"-David
Walk on the Value of
the Gospel

terday morning, instead of the regular
sermon by the pastor, Rev. NJ. Rice
Judge Utley delivered lecture upon
1.-THE Life and Doctrine of Mahomet.'
He said, in part:
Mahomet was born in the year
A. D. $40. He was of the tribe
of Koreish He was left an orphan at
an early age and was brought up in the
family of his uncle Abu Taleb. At the
age Of II he entered upon the active
duties of Arab life as a COM
mon hand, or camel driver. Be
fore he reached his majority, how
ever, he had been employed as COM
mercial agent, or factor, in various Jour-
neys AT the age of % he married
rich widow by the name OF CadlJah,
who was 10 years older that Mahomet.
The wealth he acquired by this marriage
raised him above the necessity of labor
ing for a subsistence, and from the
time of his marriage until his fortieth
wear he spent most Of his time in the in
yestigation of religious questions. All
Arabia at that time was given over to
idolatry. There were $50 idols in the
Kaaba alone, which were the special
objects of alteration. in addition to
which every tribe, city and village had
idols of their own. Mahomet became
convinced that his people were in error
in their religion and modes of worship,
and at the age of 40 he claimed to have
been commissioned by God, through
the Angel Gabriel, to overthrow idola-
try, to proclaim a new dispensation, and
to reform the religions of the world.
ct NO n
new religion, but to reform that which
had been given by God to men in the
earliest times, but which had become
corrupted by worldly and unprinciple
men.
For the first three years of his mis-
sion he made but little progress, the
number of converts not exceeding forty,
and even these consisted of members OF
his own household, few personal
friends and some slaves. He did not
publicly proclaim himself a prophet un-
til the fourth year of his mission. When
he proclaimed his apostleship and at
tackled idol worship he was very bitter
ly prosecuted by his former friends ana
neighbors In the fifth year of his mis-
sion he was banished from Mecca. In
the seventh year of his mission the per-
secution became so persistent and Vlo-
lent that his life was constantly in peril,
Whereupon his uncle, Abu Taleb, gave
him a castle, or stronghold, near Mecca,
where ne and his followers would be
safe from personal violence. He and
his disciples remained shut up in this
stronghold for three years, nor dared
they emerge therefrom except during
the month of Ramadan, the holy month
of the Arabs, when all warning tribes
met in peace to worship at the Kaaba.
At such times they would venture forth
and return to Medina Protected by
the immunities of the holy month, Ma
homet would mlngle with the pilgrims
from all parts of Arabia, preach ana
pray, expound his doctrines and pro-
claim his revelations. In this way many
converts were made.
In the tenth year of his mission his
uncle and protector, Abu Taleb, died.
His enemies now resolved to kill him
at once. Mahomet sought safety in
fight. He went to Tayef, walled city
of considerable Importance, about 10
miles from Mecca, but the citizens of
Tayef We're confirmed idolaters and they
would not allow him to remain in their
city and expelled him in a short time.
Mahomet now concealed himself in the
desert until the commencement of the
holy month in the following year, when
he again returned to Mecca and once
more mingled with the pilgrims from
all parts of Arabia. At that time he
made some converts among the pilgrims
from Medina, and proposed to accom-
pany. them on their return. They in
formed him that they We're at deadly
feud with a powerful tribe in Medina
and advised him to wait until they
should be at peace He did this, but
i ..,.I.~ . III.
of Mahomet made many converts in
Medina. A delegation of 70 men was
sent to Mecca in the holy month to take
him TO Medina, where he was to have
his residence. At the termination of the
holy month the persecution of the Mos
lens remaining in Mecca was begun
with renewed Vigor, and Mahomet ad
vised his followers to seek safety in
flight. He remained A council was
called to put Mahomet to death, a man
being selected from each tribe, all to
plunge their swords into the body Of
the prophet at the same time. Mahomet
was warned. His friend Ali advised him
to retreat and he, the friend, remained
to take his place. When his enemies
came they found Ali instead of Maho-
met, and so both escaped from harm
Mahomet lay concealed in a cave, but
was pursued and oyertallen later on the
border of the Red sea by a noted war
rior Soraka.
Just as this warrior was about to cut
Mahomet down his horse stumbled, and
this was regarded as an omen by Sol.a-
ka, who turned, begged Mahomet's for
Eiveness and permitted him to go On.
Abu Beker, chief of a powerful tribe
supplied MahOmet with 70 of his leading
men and with q rich embroidered robe,
and together, upon The MOslem Sabbath
they entered the city. Mahomet
preached a sermon, which has been com
pared and found equal to Christ's ser
mon on the mount.
Boreidu Thu Haset. with his 70 men.
came into the city with canopy Of
palms over the head of the prophet. Bo-
reidu Ibu Haset also took off his tur-
ban which was fixed upon lance as a
standard, and Mahomet entered the
city more as a Conqueror than a fugitive.
Upon next Sunday Rev. Mr.. Rice will