Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1916-06-10
FOUNDER OF MoAAMMEDANlsM
DIED 1884 YEARS AGO TO-DAY

years ago today-June s. 632--thc
founder OF the Mohammedan religion
died at Medina. in Arabia Each day
now his followers in all parts OF the
globe bow their heads in prayer ana
call upon God in the name of tho
prophet.
The career Of Mohammed IS now
recognized as one of the nine or ten
great careers in history. A son Of tho
desert, born with a keen poetic and
SenSuous nature, his early life was
spent in dreams, visions and medita-
tons.
Gradually there dawned upon him
the conception Of the unity Of God. In
his fOrtieth year his work Of proselvt
ing began. Prosecuted by the older
religions. he barely escaped with his
life, and fled from his birthplace, Nee
ca. TO the city of Medina Rapidly
the new faith gained adherents, the
forces of Mecca were defeated and by
the time OF his death the whole Of
Arabia had been subdued and an army
was setting forth to aSsail the Pv-
renees Mountains and march on the
plains OF India.
Scene at His Death.
Like all great Elcn, his death was
moving and impressive. The night
after bidding farewell to his troops
as they started for Syria he was sciz-
ca by violent pain and vertigo and
bctook himself to the house of his
favorite wife, Ayesha. In the second
day Of his illness, while tormented by
burning fever, he babe his slaves
carry him to the mosque, and there,
after deVoutly praying, addressed the
congregation. IF any Of you" he said.
"havc ought upon his conscience. let
him speak it out that may ask Gods
pardon for him." A man who had
pa""ol for a dcvout Moslcm stood
forth and confessed himself a hypo-
critic and a weak disciple.
"Out upon thee!" cried Omar "Whv
N''-N '''"' MANY hliO III NildJ bOu mas
suffered to remain concealcd?" But
'iGhammod turned rebukingly to
Omar. 20 son Of Khattab," said he.
'hcttcT is It to blush in this world
than suffer in The next" Then lifting
his eyes to heaven and praying for
the accused, 20 God" he exclaimed
give him roctitude and faith and take
from him all weakness in fulfilling
such Of thy commands as his con.
science Dictates"
Again addressing the CONGREGATION.
rs there any one among Won" he
said, whom | have stricken? Here
is my back; let him strike me in re-
turn. Is there any one whose char
acter | have aspersed? Let him now
cast reproach upon me. Is there any
one from whom I have taken aught
rnjustly? Let him come forward and
be Unidentified" Upon this a man
among the throng reminded Moham-
med of debt which he owed him
and was Instantly repaid with inter-
est. Much easier is it," said he. ito
bear punishment in this world than
throughout eternity"
Hours of DeIirium.
"His malady," said his biographer.
Irving, >"increased from day to day.
apparently with intervals of deIirirlm.
for he spoke Of receiving visits from
Gabriel, who came from God to in
quire after the state of his health, and
told him that it rested with himself
to fix his dying moment, the angel of
death being forbidden by Allah to en-
ter his presence without his permits
sion"
At last, on June 8, 632 A. D., after
a temporary recovery, his end came
while alone with Ayesha Feeling
death approaching, he gave orders
that all his slaves should be restored
to freedom and all the money in his
house distributed among the poor;
then, raising his eyes to heaven, he
exclaimed, God be with me in the
last struggle"