Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-01-26

ceIHeu-dS ylelulnB more ana more
to the teachings of the armies of Christian mis-
sionaries spread out over It,
But, according to number of these very mis-
slonarIes who have gained their knowledge in
the batte-line formed by Christianity against Is
lam and other religions, this is by no means the
case. From the front they bring the news that
Mohammedanism, far from being quiet is pulsng
with new life; that its missionaries, filled with
fanatic ZEAL making hosts of converts to their
doctrines, not only among pagans, but among
peoples previously converted to Christianity.
Africa is where the pitched battle for converts
between Christianity and Islam is being waged
most furiously. Those who have been over the
ground declare that the religious fate of the
Dark Continent hangs in the balance. Moham-
mechanism has made such progress there of
late, they aver that 1t is question whether
it will not soon become Africa's dominant faith
Nor is that portion of the earth the only
place where Islam is striding triumphantly for
ward. Pan-Islamism, sedulously fostered by
Abdul Hamid, deposed Sultan of Turkey, has
served to stimulate the aggressiveness of the
Prophets followers in India, Malaysia, Central
Asia Siberia, Russia and other lands.
This aggressiveness is noticeable not only
among those Mohammedans who seek to recon-
Gle their timeworn religion to modeTnity. but
also among the blind fanatics of orthodoxy,
who will not give up one jot or little of the
doctrines handed down to them by their fore
fathers straight from the days of Mohammed.
The one great characteristic of the Moslem
world today is unrest.
Like the prodigal son in the parable, Islam
IS coming to itself and is becoming conscious
of it's need. Three great movements In the
Moslem world at the present time are all of
them indicative of this unrest-the develop
ment of the great dervish orders, the growth
of the pan-Islamic spirit and the attempt of the
new Islam to rationaliZe the old orthodoxy
all of them due to the same cause, namely, the
readjustment of Islam to the progress OF mod
ern thought and western civilization, either by
way of protest and defiance, or or ~ccommooa-
ton and compromise.
The modernst movement touches every MOS
lem who receives education on western nnes
whether In Java, India Persia or Egypt, and
compels him to adopt new theology ana
new philosophy and social standards or
give up his religion altogether. HOW rar the
advocates of the new Islam go In throwing
overheard their cargo to save the ship is Illus
trated in a book. The Truth About lsiam'
lust published at Cairo by DR.. Muhammao
Badr. q graduate of Edinburgh University NO
orthodox Moslem would recognize this pre-
sentation OF Islam as the saihe AeAAeA
he processes.
The enormous increase and activity or MOS
lem Journalism in all the chief centers Oh .he
Moslem world is also an indication OF inter
lectuaI and social unrest. Some or the leauihs
naners are already the mouthpiece OF lntoF
d oeNANSN~
Christianity.
The religious movements in Islam TO-DAY are
radically progressive or retrogressive. Inc
aervish orders and the Mahdis In SomaIiahu'
yemen and the Sahara, all believe In ran
fsIamism utterly opposed to modern ciVlliza-
ton and their cry is Back to Mohammeu.
Tho advocates Of reform in Java ana fer-
do +be nreachers of the new Islam In Inola'
and the nationalsts in Egypt, on the contrary
aro irving to get away from Mohammeo ana
the early standards of Arabian civilzation' re
tact most of the traditions, and make rauonaF
Sr, the basis of their faith.
According to them, Mohammed was heilne
,r,macplate nor infallible. Their Ideas anu
thoir ideals are at the opposite pole Vi OF
thodoxy. s ,r.boaox Islam
and un-to-date Islam seem to be arhe III ohe
thtroEtbev are both moving forward.
TIC turn first to Africa, the great pate
o,-onrd evidences of this progress appear On
So side In central Africa dozen sects Oh
Sarv;sbes are at work proseiytizing
araong them the powerful senusi' VINO yeals
800 out large bands of missionaries. IN snort
- o,a christian worker puts 1t. every NO
-a--LH x.,rx-n