The Elbert County tribune., 1912-01-26

as In Europe, 1t Is considered more distin-
guished not to be an agriculturist. The Mo-
hammedan coast population do grow some
vegetables and fruit, but as for the principal
food. which is rice. they depend on the people
of the interior. On their excursions they have
always money with them and they never for
get to make show OF It.
The Mohammedans also dress in better
way than the heathen and they very cunningiy
array themselves in clothes which excite the
covetousness and desire OF their heather
neighbors, who very fond OF buying new
articles. They like to perfume themselves and
constantly speak with contempt about eating
pork and of other customs of the people or the
interior In short they know how to behave
as people OF higher rank and quality than the
simple pagans.
Through all these means the Mohammedan
traders arouse the people of the interior to i'm
itate their customs. and all these things
profitable to propagation Of Islam"
From Asiatc Russia come similar surpris-
ing tidings OF Moslem encroachments in the
field Of pagan conversion. A Christian work
er in that territory tells how, at the beginning
of the nineteenth century. the Apostle OF the
AItai." reverend Father Macary. crossed the
plains south of Tobolsk In Siberia to reach
the Altai, and perceived the state OF the mil
lions of heather Kirghis living there He asked
the Russian government to allow him to begin
missionary work among the Kirghis but he
was told that these people too savage
as yet to become converts to Christianity.
Not long after that Mohammedan mission.
aries entered the field worked with great zeal
and perseverance, and won over all the Kirghis
tribes to the faith OF Islam.
AS result of this setback the writer states,
"the Christian missionary has to fight, not
the weak and beggarly elements OF an animis.
tic religion, but the seemingly inaccessible
granite fortress OF Islam"
Regarding the general situation in Siberia
the same missionary says:
"Moslem propaganda is gaining in strength
and Mohammedan influence is growing while
Christian influence. as represented by the Rus-
sian church. Is weaker. The unucky war with
Japan and the proclamation OF liberty OF con-
science have done their work Forty thou
sand baptized Christians. formerly Mohamme-
dams and heathens. have returned to pagan
ism and Islam. Islam especially comes out OF
this crisis strengthened and more aggressive
than ever before"
In China there millions OF Mobam-
medans. but. according to Christian Testimony.
they are not markedly aggressive in propagat.
ing the doctrines OF the prophet The aam.
seems true OF Turkey and Persia
In conclusion. attention should be called In
q pnase OF the Mohammedan situation which
Is especially startling from the fact that IL ia
near to home viz: the activity OF MosIem
proseiytizers In this western hemisphere
In several of the West indian iaiands aro
the Guiana territory OF South America tbera
are thousands of East Indian Mohammedans
In British Guiana there are $4,000: in Dutch
Guiana $500: in Central America and the
West Indies. 10000
such small fraction of the population
niisht wen &c omitted in our survey, state
the editors OF Islam and Missions . $780, :.
not that undoubted testimony comes in regard
to the activity of Islam. especially ia Yrit,sn
Guiana and the West Indies. A
III the results OF a century-s missionary ef.
lort In British Guiana are to be preserved the
onrisian cnurcn must make a more deter.
East Indian The struggle Of the futura in
hammed." nv