in every convenient place; to take them prisoners, and kill them, wherever they should find them. "Strike off their heads," said he, “until ye have made a great slaughter among them." He told them that God had promised them the enjoyment of paradise, on condition that they should fight for his cause; and that their reward would be the same, whether they should kill or be killed.

Elizabeth. I think he was as cunning in this as he was in making his doctrines to suit the wicked hearts of men; for his followers would not be afraid of death, if they firmly believe it would carry them right to Paradise. I should think such a delusion would make bold soldiers.

Mother. Yes; and this accounts for his singular success, and for the sanguinary character which has always marked his followers. They have ever been faithful to the spirit of their leader. The terms required of the people they conquer, have always been, " The Koran, death, or Tribute." They must embrace Islamism, or pay a yearly tax, or lose their lives.

Samuel. How different from the spirit of the

Gospel! The Lord Jesus says,

"I came not to

destroy men's lives but to save them.”

Mother. Yes, there is indeed, a wide difference between the spirit of the Koran and the spirit of the New Testament. And, by neglecting to notice this, the rapid spreading of Mohammed's religion becomes a stumbling block to many. The wonderful success of the Gospel, and the complete revolution effected by it, throughout a great portion of the world, is considered as a powerful evidence of its divine origin. But infidels often object, that the same argument might be used in favor of Mohammedanism. Yet, when we take into consideration the means employed in the two cases, the difference will appear remarkably striking. Mohammed was employed four years in persuading nine individuals to embrace his religion. And at the close of the first twelve years of his mission, during which he employed no other means than persuasion, he had only a few hundred followers. But, in about three years, from the commencement of Christ's mission, his followers, in the city of Jerusalem numbered 5000, besides those who were scattered all over the land of Judea,

where he had preached; and in a short time after, they multiplied so fast that it was impossible to count them.

Elizabeth. I have been comparing the conduct of Christ and Mohammed, under circumstances nearly alike. When Mohammed came to Medina, and the people of that city offered to make him governor, he accepted the office, with great pomp, and placed himself at the head of the inhabitants. But, when Christ saw that the people were determined to make him king, he went away into a mountain, and hid himself.

Mother. Yes, my dear; and here we discover the difference of their motives. The Lord Jesus

came not to seek his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him. His object was to glorify his father, do good to men and save their souls. Mohammed's whole aim was to exalt himself. If Christ had consented to the wishes of the people, who desired to make him king, the whole Jewish nation would doubtless have acknowledged his authority. They would have fought with no less bravery than the Saracens. And there can be no doubt that the victorious arms of the Jews, accompanied by divine pow

er, would soon have established their religion throughout the known world. But his kingdom was not of this world. His weapons were not carnal, but spiritual. Yet, the Gospel prevailed far more rapidly and extensively without arms, than Islamism at the point of the sword.

QUESTIONS.

What was the character of the inhabitants of Medina ? What success attended the preaching of the six converted pilgrims? What happened in the twelfth year of Mohammed's mission? What success attended the mission of Masab Ebn Omair to Medina? What happened the next year? What did Abu Sophyan do, when he became governor of Mecca? How did Mohammed escape the plot formed against his life? How was he received at Medina? What authority was given him there? What arrangements did he make for a permanent settlement there? What influence did Mohammed's change of prospects have upon him? What new doctrines did he now preach? What influence had this upon his followers? What remarkable difference do you perceive between the means employed by Christ and Mohammed, for the establishment of their religion?

CONVERSATION VII.

Mohammed's first warlike attempts,-He defeats the Koreish,-Prayer,-The Ramadan.

Peter. Mother, will you tell us about some of Mohammed's wars?

A

Mother. Yes, my son. His first warlike enterprize was intended to harass the Koreish. Caravan of this tribe was on its way to Mecca. Caroline. What is a Caravan, mother?

cross.

Mother. It is a company of merchants or travelers. A great part of Arabia is made up of sandy deserts, which makes it very difficult to Travelers and merchants generally pass through them on Camels, in large companies, called Caravans. Mohammed sent out a party of thirty men, under the command of his uncle Hamza, to take the Caravan of the Koreish. But they found it guarded by three hundred men ; so they returned to Medina without attempting any thing. But the next year, a rich Caravan was passing to Mecca, guarded by Abu Sophy

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