pleased. After he had once confirmed them in the belief of things absurd and ridiculous, as in the case of the night journey, they were prepared to credit any thing he might say, however it might contradict the evidence of their senses.

Elizabeth. O, mother, what awful blasphemy it was for him to pretend that God performed a miracle to assist him in robbery and murder.

Mother. Indeed, it was so. He must have been given over to hardness of heart. A circumstance happened, soon after this battle, which also shows the depraved and revengeful disposition, and mean spirit of the prophet. Caab, the son of Al Ashraf, a Jew went to Mecca, and wrote some poetry, describing in a touching manner, the fate of the Koreish people who were killed by the Moslems. He afterwards returned to Medina, and recited his verses to the people. Mohammed was greatly enraged at the poet, and cried out, "Who will deliver me from the son of Al Ashraf." One of his followers immediately exclaimed, "I, O prophet of God, will rid you of him." Soon after, while enter

taining one of Mohammed's followers, the poor Jew was murdered.

Samuel. Is it possible that he could call himself the prophet of God, and be guilty of such cold blooded revenge and murder? How could such a man pretend to be the favorite of God, who has said, "Thou shalt not kill?”

Moham

Mother. Strange as it may appear, med makes great account of prayer. This is one of the principal duties of Mussulmen. Mohammed calls it the "pillar of religion, and the key of paradise."

Caroline. But do the Mohammedans really pray, mother? My Catechism says that "Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will." How could robbers and murderers offer up their desires to God, for things agreeable to his will?

Mother. It is all form and ceremony with them. It was customary with the people of that country, to turn their faces in a particular direction, when they prayed. The Jews, wherever they were, turned their faces towards Jerusalem, because their temple was there. The Arabs turn their faces towards the East.

Caroline. Why, mother, if God is every where, what difference does it make, which way we turn our faces, when we pray?

Mother. It makes no difference, my dear. But here you see the false and superstitious notions about God, which prevailed among these people. When Mohammed first came to Medina, he directed his followers to pray towards Jerusalem. But the Jews offended him, and he ordered his people to pray towards Mecca. Many of his disciples were offended at this, and forsook him. They thought it inconsistent with the character of a prophet to change his laws. He gave his followers five stated seasons for prayer, every day :—1. In the morning, between day-break and sunrise; 2. Just after noon; 3. About the middle of the afternoon; 4. Between sunset and dark; 5. An hour after dark. these hours, public notice is given by criers, who stand on the tops of the mosques.

At

Caroline. What is a mosque, mother? Mother. It is the Mohammedan house of worship. The moment the people hear the notice, they either go to the mosque, or spread a handkerchief upon the ground, and kneel wher

ever they happen to be.

They are very partic

other

ular in performing this duty. Even if a fire should break out in his chamber, or any accident happen, while a Moslem is at prayer, he would not think himself justifiable in breaking off till the prayer is ended. If they happen to cough, spit, sneeze, or rub off the flies which are biting them, while at their prayers, it spoils all they have done, and they think they must begin anew. But like the Pharisees, they love to pray standing in the market places and in the corners of the streets.

Caroline. What do they pray for, mother?

Mother. Their principal petition is, that God would send contention, wars and tumults among Christians; and on this account they always prefer a place of prayer where the greatest numbers of Christians can hear.

Samuel. Mother, don't you think we ought to have regular and stated seasons of prayer?

Mother. By all means. If we do not, we shall be often tempted to neglect prayer. We ought to fix upon those seasons when we can be most retired and free from interruption, for this

holy exercise; and then, on no account neglect them.

Samuel. Mother, I have read in the papers about Mohammedans keeping the Ramadan. Can you tell me what the Ramadan is?

Mother. Ramadan is the Arabic word for the name of the sixth month, which is September. The second year of the Hejira, Mohammed made a law that his followers should fast all the month of Ramadan. This is called The fast of Ramadan. All this time, they are not allowed to eat any thing from day-light in the morning to dark in the evening. But, in the night they may eat as much as they please. Most of them, however, except the poor, who are compelled to labor, sleep during the day; so that this fast amounts to little more than turning day into night and night into day.

QUESTIONS.

What was Mohammed's first warlike enterprise? What happened the next year? What occasioned a dispute among Mohammed's followers? What striking difference do you perceive between the spirit of Islam