Valdez daily prospector., 1914-06-18

Nothing Could Bs Moro InconceivabIy
 Remote, Says Dr.. Hursronje, Whose
 Studies Convince Him That Chris
 tianity Can Never Replace Moham-
 mechanism There.
 The dangerous and unusual expert ence of penetrating the walled city of Mecca, living there for eight months in a Mohammedan household, perform ing all the rites and ceremonies which the 100000 pilgrims perform every day and attending lectures which in the past have been heard only by Mo- hammedan ears. was accomplished successfully by Dr. c. Snouck Hur- gronje, professor in the University of Leyden. and now in the United States as exchange professor to q number of American universities.
 Dr. Hurgronje is not only an adept in the Arabic language. but prefaced his sojourn in the sacred city by sev- eral years of research in Mohammedan theology. It was this complete fla miliarity with Mohammedanism which made it possible for him to preserve his disguise for the entire period of eight months.
 T even fooled the tramp dogs" he explained. "They are afraid of the Moslems, but they can smell foreign er-an infidel, you know-and they re- veal him to the Mohammedan by at tacking him.
 Live as In the Dark Ages.
 "Nothing could be more inconceiva- bly, remote than Mecca. It represents the Islam of centuries ago. The houses are impossible. All the conveniences to which we are accustomed-light. heat and water-are as they were in the dark ages. But one who has not been to Mecca, has not lived there in Mohammedan households and studied at the mosques cannot understand Islam.
 There has been some talk from time to time that Mecca would be thrown open to the world by force. But l See nothing to indicate that this is true. England is the only nation that would attempt it. and it would stir up too much trouble-trouble for her in the British Indies should she take such a course. Mecca will for many years to come, believe. continue to be cen ter of Mohammedan tradition"
 Dr. Hurgronje believes that there will be gradual breaking down of barriers and merging of the east and west, which will come with compara- tive rapidity within the next few dec ades. He holds that the future devel- opment of Islam will repeat with an amazing degree of similarity the his tory of later Judaism. The evangel- ists of the Christian world who look forward to an incorporation of all creeds by the Christians will not see their dream realized in regard to Mo- continue as strong and vigorous faith as Judaism. adapting itself much in the same manner as Judaism has adapted itself to changing conditions and requirements. d..
 Will Nsvsr Adopt Christian Faith.
 For seventeen years Dr. Hurgronje has been adviser to the government of Holland on matters relating to the Dutch East Indies and so speaks with authority. He says:
 Holland 91s empire over some 35,- 100000 Mohammedans. The idea that she is going out to preach and win over those millions to the gospel has long since been abandoned. What we have come to realize is the need for educating these people. who, from the twist of historical events. have be- come intrusted to our care. We have realized that the best thing for their souls is the adaptation of their faith and their own institutions to the re- qpirements of the day.
 ''The Mohammedan regards Chris tianity as something over and done with, and to his mind the adoption of 1t would be turning backward. What ever the change which Islam will un- dergo in the next half century it will not be change which includes the adoption of the Christian faith"