The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-21

seats himself; his disciples stand round or
sit at his feet. and the general public as
semble at little distance to hear the gems
of wisdom that fall from the holy MANS
lips, or to roar at the Worldwide chest
nuts not always of the most decorous
character, which he sometimes unbends
one of class who exercise an influence
over the Inhabitants of the Afghan hills so
passionate and wide that to Europeans ii is
beyond belief.
The Mullahs are collectively known as the
olma, or learned. They are the schoolmas-
ters, lawyers. judges as well as the priests,
many of them being men of great ability
ana scholarship; an6 they are all pas
Slonately devoted TO their order it cannot
oe sanu that their influence is altogether
eVll. Ihey are great peacenlakers in a land
where nghting is the breath of a mans
poorah rush between two bodies of Moh-
munds who We're drawn up to attack each
other, and, by passionate prayers to them
70 remember their common God and their
common country, make those desperate men
forget their purposes and go away as quiet
~ as frightened schoolboys
The position of Mullah is conferred on
such candidates as have undergone a spe-
clal course of study in the intricate Mahom-
etan law and successfully passed an exam
nation therein. The principal part of the
ceremony consists of the most sanity
Mullah present investing the novice with
tne VIDE moving gown of white cotton and
the peculiarly shaped turban.
Inc Mullahs marry and live like the laity
a IN most particulars par though some of them
frowning on the simplest amusements, and
even condemning all music except the war
IKE drum and trumpet, as being effemi-
nate. To such men the merry fiddle or the
one
One rich source of revenue with the priest
mood Is their fine collection of charms and
lamentations. 1t is no uncommon sight to
see an ancient Afridi or Mohmund Sitting
with mullah and vigorously repeating a
charm or performing a subtle incarnation
70 70 enable him to fix the affections of some
hair.
A mullah's most sensitive point is the dig
nifty of his office When that is outraged
there is trouble in the land. He calls the
brethren to a council. They suspend all the
rites of public worship, denounce their en-
envy as dog and an infidel cover him
ana his people with their maledictions and
practically excommuncate him. If this does
not bring the unhappy man to his senses
the mullahs don their sacred robes. and
carrying the green standard Of the prophet,
go up and down throughout the land pro-
claiming the Mahometan warcry and call
ing on the faithful to aVenge the honor of
flock to their side they promise eternal bliss;
to those who ignore their appeals everlast-
ing torture. The mullah'S voice is not raised
in vain. He soon has frantic army follow
ing the green flag, willing to go anywhere
and do anything their leader pleases.
When mullah dies the place of his death
becomes a sacred shrine at which miracles
are worked There is not a village through
out the whole Pathan country which mas
and the blind resort for relief In this con-
nection curious story is told of one OF the
section of Bonervals
1t had long been a source of grief TO the
inhabitants of the village that no holy man
had ever been good enough to die among
them. The consequent absence of a miracle
working shrine had degraded them in the
eyes of their neighbors, who looked on them
as a set of Wretches so abandoned that no
saint would end his days in their midst.
The men of the village determined to put
an end to this degrading suspicion in a
characteristic Oriental method. There was
living in a distant town mullah with the
highest reputation for holiness A deputa-
ton from the benighted village waited on
this mullah and implored him to shed the
light of his countenance on them for few
DAYS The priest was so fiattered at this
testimony to his piety that he gladly con-
sented He was entertained on mis- arrival
to a considerable feast When the banquet
had ended the chief rose and solemnly IN
formed their guest of the sad condition OF
the Villagers through no holy man ever
having died in their midst, adding that they
intended to end so unfortunate a state or
things by killing their visitor. AS mis- soul
would at once pass to Paradise, ana as the
scene of his death would become miracle
working shrine, they did not cohsluer ne
had anything to complain OF.