Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-12
asliseellaneous Rsaains.
THE SECRETS OF MECCA
Dutch Scholar Goes There in Disguise
and Sees Everything.

and Sees Everything.
Studies in theology ordinarily are
prosecuted in the seclusion of the Ii
brary or the equally sequestered pre-
cincts of the seminary, but to perse-
we're in research into religion with the
chance of being torn to pieces any min
ute by a fanatical mOb-that is anoth-
er thing. 1t stimulates into active op-
Grafton qualities not included in the
curriculum of the average theological
institution, but has its disadvantages.
Under the near-mob plan was the
way S. Snouck Hurgronje, then re-
cent graduate of Leyden and Strasburg
universities, acquired a close acquain-
tance with Islam and very much
knowledge of the secret rites and mys-
ticism of Mohammedanism. He went
boldly into the sacred city Of Mecca,
about the best disguised Arab who
ever stole in that shrine of Moslem,
spent six months there, earned repu-
tation for his erudition in the Koran,
then had to flee by night for his life
because the Sultan, who learned of his
presence, ordered his summary ejec-
ton.
But the fugitive Dutch scholar could
not be forced to leave behind the infor-
nation he had CLEANED, and it is to his
daring, his temerity and fine acquisi-
tive powers that the world knows so
Icla nd hnr H.
et
This young man, now professor OF
Arabic in the University of Leyden,
was not satisfied with what he had
learned at his alma mater of the
Arabic people and their religion. He
surmised that the none too friendly
Christian commentators had maligned
them. He resolved to determine for
himself.
Deceived tho MosIems.
Making his purpose known to few
friends, who said he was q madman
and his bones would bleach outside the
walls of Mecca, Hurgronje went to
northern Africa and mingled with the
Arabs. Then he got into Egypt. He
knew that to go into Mecca without
having the accent of the native-born
would be signing his death warrant.
Moreover, he knew that many little
conventions and customs marked the
Arabian family life. In addition it was
necessary to have a genealogy, for if he
could not tell who his ancestors were
when an inquisitive Moslem wanted to
delve into family history his chances of
getting out of the sacred city alive
would be small indeed. In short, the
Jungle life had in it superior elements
of safety.
This Hollander, with the persistency
of his race, succeeded after months or
association with Arabs big and little,
eating with them in their homes and
bartering with them in the bazaars, in
submerging absolutely his Dutch ac-
cent and learned 70 speak like a man
who had been born among Bedouins
and reared as child of the prophet.
More than that, he knew more about
the Koran than most of the men he as
sociated with, and that won both social
position and a reputation for learning.
When he told his Egyptian townsmen
that he was going to Mecca his depar-
ture was accepted simply as the act OF
every devout Moslem. But Doctor Hur-
gronie did not make the visit in the
days of the pilgrimage He selected a
time between the feasts when Islam's
detectives were not busy inspecting all
visitors.
But no one suspected the stranger
from Alexandria. He was the soul of
geniality, with enough of the reserve OF
the scholar quickly to win him place
among the learned. His knowledge of
the Koran was in itself an open sesame
to the inner circles and the sacred pre-
cincts. He was a devout student OF the
mysticism of Islam's worship; and he
went in and out among the people free
from surveillance and in the enjoyment
of all the liberty Of man of eruditlon.
Six Months in Mecca.
1t was the intention of Doctor Hur-
gronje to remain year in Mecca, but
his stay was unexpectedly and dra-
matically shortened to half that period.
However he learned much during his
residence in Mecca. So well had he ac-
quired the vernaCular and so carefully
had he studied the conventions Of Ara
bic life that he did not feel constrained
to act like q man on guard, yet had he
omitted a slight and seemingly trill-
ing part of the code of table manners
or amenities of social life he would have
been stripped of his disguise.
Then would have gone up the cry
that an infdel had polluted the Holy
of an infuriated mob and would have
died as a man dies when torn to pieces
by q wild beast. He knew this, yet de-
termined to stay the year out.
Doctor Hurgronje's election from the
city was the most thrilling episode in
his life. 1t happened that Il heated
quarrel had arisen between French and
German scholars over the acquisition
of valuable inscriptions that had been
discovered in Arabia. The French and
German governments took up the dis
pute and began a spirited rivalry for the
possession of these lOng-buried rec
ordS. one of the French SaVantS knew
of Doctor Hurgronje's presence in Nee
ca. but misunderstood the character of
his mission, prrsuming that he had
been sent there To secure the coveted
prize.
Paris newspapers took up the con-
troyersy. and one of the daily papers
printed the fact that the Dutch scholar
was in the Moslem's Holy City. That
was Doctor HurgrOnje's undoing. The
astonishing news was telegraphed to
Constantinople by the Turkish minis
ter and the sultan forwarded instruc-
tiOnS to Mecca.
Doctor Hurgronje tells the story of
the discovery of his great secret. He
said:
Il had made up my mind that | was
safe in Mecca. | visited all the places
of interest, and even took photographs
without exciting suspicion; at least
g.. Ip,,N