The times., 1899-11-19

btcL hAON II uEuItS Ii our literary history,
1t also takes up many who are comparative
lyn unknown to this generation. (New
York: Charles Scribner's Sons. S2.50)
African Civilization.
islam in Africa" by Anson P After
bury, is a work which ought to be of con-
siderable interest at the present time, in
view Of the troubles IN the Transvaal and
the possible changes to take place in the
map Of that huge and mysterious CONT
nent which is as yet so nearly an unknown
land. It has an introduction by F. F. FL
linwood, professor Of comparative religion
in New York University.
The attitude Of the author IS that of one
who looks at the future rather than the
past, and who judges present developments
with an eye to the possibilities which lie
in the years to come. This sort of Iitera-
ture is more needed just now than histo-
ries of the past for it is of the utmost
importance that, in the crises almost in
evitable in the twentieth century, the peo-
pie should be prepared 10 act intelligenLly,
wisely, and with justice. 1t Will not do
10 leave these problems TO be settled by
mere impulse or unframed and illogical
convictions. The fullest knowledge will
be needed to solve some of them without
danger.
Mr Atterbury says in his preface that
he has gained some Of his material for This
book from personal observation, but he
rightly regards this as the smallest factor
In a work such as this. The observation
of the ordinary traveller on a subject so
large and SO difficult Of access as Moham-
medan institutions in Africa would not be
worth very much unless supplemented by
wide and discriminating reading Of books
already existing on the subject.
He first discusses MOhammed as proph-
1t and man, and arrives at the same gen
eral conclusion which scholars and think
ers have held for some time-that Mo-
manned was man OF great force OF per-
sOnality but IN certain ways warped and
biased by temperament and personal temp
tatiOns. He calls the prophet "a moral
contradiction "a term which might be
used in speaking Of many other great lead
ers Of men. II seems TO be q general rule
Of human nature that it is hard for a great
man 10 be consistent. The Koran is next
taken up, briefly but cOmprehensiyely; and
then the author arrives at the subject Of
Africa. In connection with the appre-
hended rising of the Basutos and Zulus in
and about the Transvaal and the possibili-
ties Of English and American development
Of the continent, 1t may be interesting to
quote some Of the things which he says OF
the native:
TIE differences between man and man in
Africa are almost, or quite, as great as between
man in America and man in China. One reason
for the great confusion in the European mind
concerning men and matters in Africa lies in the
fact that these racial distinctions are not rec
ognlzed II y evident that Moham-
mechanism In Africa has TO deal with races OF
men capable Oi much. The wild and impos-
sible African IS largely creature OF the imagina-
lrH 1FHH HI rfs4 Hrrr-
felt toward the black races IS hardly justified, 50
FAR az least as many OF these African tribes
are concerned. Some one has said, ''The fate Of
the negro has bern the romance Ct our agej' Il
has been rather q tragedy thus far. Before EU-
rgpe4u civilization can make much progress with
the African this fundamental fact must be real
lZed-that we have men, capable races Of men,
with whom 70 deal. u IS because the Arab has
recognized lhis fact more largely than the Eu-
ropeau that he has made himself 50 effective, for
bad or good, throughout the continent. The
white man must recognize the manhood Of the
black man intellectually he is capable. There
is DO truth that the negro IS unable to grasp.
The negro Is far different from the eau
casian, but that he Is not essentially inferior is
. thought that We need 10 learn.
Then the author goes on 10 relate the
history Of Mohammedanism in Africa He
points out that two strong influences have
been al work in favor Of Islam; one is the
democratic nature Of il; the other its prop
agaton by the sword. II this country were
10 be deprived tomorrow Of all its educated
and intelligent men, and most OF its de-
fences, and the remaining inhabitants were
then given their choice between accepting
the very simple creed of Mohammed or be-
ing killed at once. it is probable that there
would be goodly number of converts on
the spot. Greed is strong, but the love of
life is also powerful in most men.
Another thing In favor of Mohammedan-
ism IS that wherever possible il leaves ma
tive customs intact II does not try to
make the people all over into one model
in defiance Of the power Of heredity. ira
dition, and habit. And again, there is no
separation between church and state. and
in all the holy wars religious fanaticism is
added to the natural love Of conquest. These
things all count temporarily. If not in the
long run.
The moral and social effect Of Moham-
mechanism is then discussed. In Northern
Africa, IL is conceded, the state Of the
country is very bad; but this is not alto
gether due to religious causes, since a much
better condition Of things prevails in the
desert, which, as the author observes, has
always been mans walking place with
Cod" The blackest spots in the history OF
Islam in Africa are admittedly the condi-
/ tion Of women, and the slave trade; and
! these are described briefly, and with no at
tempt at softening. There ie an awful
amount OF sanctlfed cruelty mixed with
/ the operations OF this great World-reIigion
I in Africa
I Finally, the general effect OF Mohammed-
| anism as factor in the civilization OF At
7 Tica is discussed by the author He thinks
/ that though st may in some cases be a
/ step in the right direction-better than
/ paganism, at all eyents-it is not sufi-
cieutly spiritual or eleyatIng to be of much
/ ultimate benefit. He believes that the
! Christian religion offers more possibilities
/ In the way OF civilization, and that this
! will come hand in hand with commerce.
! Whether this viii happen, or whether
! Islam. refined and purified, and brought
] back to something like its pristine power,
] VIII continue 10 hold its oTn among the