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 for 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 allow

ed 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 enterprize? What happened the next year? What occasioned a dispute among Mohammed's followers? What striking difference do you perceive between the spirit of Islamism and of Christianity? How did Mohammed settle this difficulty? What difference do you perceive between the spirit of Christ and of Mohammed? What can you relate of Caab, the Jew? What do the Moslems think of prayer? How do they perform it? Can you give an account of the fast of Ramadan ?

CONVERSATION VIII.

Mohammed defeated by the Koreish,-Ile prohibits the use of strong drink and games of chance,-the Koreish, with a numerous army, again attack him, and suffer defeat,-He undertakes a pilgrimage to Mecca and enters into a truce with the inhabitants,-He is made king,-He is poisoned at Chaibar.

1

Samuel. Mother, what effect had Mohammed's victory upon the people of Mecca?

Mother. Abu Sophyan and the citizens of Mecca determined to be revenged on Mohammed. The Koreish raised an army of three thousand men, which, under the command of Abu Sophyan, marched against the prophet.. Mohammed had but one thousand men in his army. He at first determined to remain in the city, and not to risk a general battle. But his men recollected their former victory, and were impatient to be led against their enemies. He very unwisely yielded to their wishes, and promised them certain victory. But he was entirely defeated, and came very near losing his life.

His uncle Hamza, and sixty-nine others were killed in the battle.

Samuel. Why, mother, I should think this would have ruined his credit as a prophet.

Mother. It was likely to do so. His followers were quite dissatisfied with their defeat. They said the prophet had deceived them; for his promise of victory had not been fulfiled. But, with his usual ingenuity, he got himself out of the difficulty. He threw the blame upon the sins of the people; and said that the Lord was angry with them. He quieted the grief of those who had lost their friends in battle, by telling them that the time of every man's death was fixed by the decrees of God; and that, if they had been any where else, they could not have avoided their fate.

Samuel. Well, mother, is not that true?

Mother. It is true that the time, as well as all the circumstances of every man's death is fixed by the decrees of God; but it does not follow from this that these men would certainly have died, if they had not gone to the battle. God has fore-ordained not only the time, but the means of our death; which are all in his hands. But, it would be ridiculous for any man to say,

"because the time of my death is fixed, I will throw myself into the river and be drowned." God has established a connection between certain means and certain ends, which we cannot destroy; and this cennection enters into his de

crees.

Elizabeth. I do not understand this mother? Mother. Neither do I understand it, my dear. How can such weak and ignorant creatures as we are understand the ways of the Infinite God? "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.' "* Mohammed also assured them that the friends, who had been killed in battle, had died martyrs for the faith, and gone to Paradise. In this manner, he settled the rebelious feelings of his people,

Samuel.

I should think Mohammed's en

emies would have taken advantage of this victory, to have destroyed both him and his religion.

*Job 11: 7-9.