ChangeofpublicopinionaboutMohammedAstonishingtriumphofMohammedanismOldreligioussystemsofArabiaPolytheismsucceedsthedoctrinesoftheMagiansThenecessityofreformEarlylifeofMohammedCadijehMohammed’smeditationsanddreamsHisbeliefinapersonalGodHepreacheshisnewdoctrinesTheoppositionandridiculeofhiscountrymenTheperseveranceofMohammedamidobstaclesHisflighttoMedinaTheKorananditsdoctrinesChangeinMohammed’smodeofpropagatinghisdoctrinesPolygamyandasensualparadiseWarlikemeanstoconvertArabiaMohammedaccommodateshisdoctrinestothehabitsofhiscountrymenEncouragesmartialfanaticismConquestofArabiaPrivatelifeofMohammed，afterhissuccessCarlyle’sapologyforMohammedTheconquestofSyriaandEgyptConquestofPersiaandIndiaDeductionsinviewofSaracenicconquestsNecessityofsupernaturalaidintheconversionoftheworldAuthorities。
CHARLEMAGNE。
REVIVALOFWESTERNEMPIRE。
AncestryandearlylifeofCharlemagneTheMerovingianprincesConditionofEuropeontheaccessionofCharlemagneNecessityforsuchaherotoariseHisperilsandstrugglesWarswiththeSaxonsThedifficultiesoftheSaxonconquestForcedconversionoftheSaxonsTheNormanpiratesConquestoftheAvaresUnsuccessfulwarwiththeSaracensTheLombardwarsCoronationofCharlemagneatRomeImperialismanditsinfluencesThedismembermentofCharlemagne’sempireFoundationofFeudalismCharlemagneasalegislatorHisalliancewiththeclergyHisadministrativeabilitiesReasonswhyhepatronizedtheclergyResultsofCharlemagne’spolicyHallam’ssplendideulogyAuthoritiesHILDEBRAND。
THEPAPALEMPIRE。
WonderfulgovernmentofthePapacyItsvitalityItscontradictionsItsfascinationsThecrimesofwhichitisaccusedGeneralcharacterofthepopesGregoryVII。themostfamousHispersonalhistoryHisautocraticideasHisreignattherighttimeSocietyinEuropeintheeleventhcenturyCharacteroftheclergyThemonks，andtheneedofreformCharacterofthepopesbeforeGregoryVII。
CelibacyoftheclergyAllianceofthePapacyandMonasticismOppositiontothereformsofHildebrandTerriblepowerofexcommunicationSimonyanditsevilsSecularizationoftheclergySeparationofspiritualfromtemporalpowerHenryIV。ofGermanyApproachingstrifebetweenHenryandHildebrandTheirrespectiveweaponsHenrysummonedtoRomeExcommunicationofHenryHenrydesertedanddisarmedCompelledtoyieldtoHildebrandHisgreatmistakeRenewedcontestHumiliationofthePopeMoraleffectsofthecontestSpeculationsaboutthePapalpowerAuthoritiesSAINTBERNARD。
MONASTICINSTITUTIONS
AntiquityofMonasticlifeCauseswhichledtoitOrientalasceticismReligiouscontemplationInsolublequestionsSelf-expiationsBasilthefounderofMonasticismHisinterestinghistoryGregoryNazianzenVowsofthemonksTheirantagonismtoprevailingevilsVowofPovertyopposedtomoney-makingThatofChastityaprotestagainstprevailingimpurityOriginofcelibacyItssubsequentcorruptionNecessityofthevowofObedienceBenedictandtheMonasteryofMonteCasinoHisrulesgenerallyadoptedLoftyandusefullifeoftheearlymonksGrowthandwealthofMonasticinstitutionsMagnificenceofMediaevalconventsPrivilegesofthemonksLuxuryoftheBenedictinesRelaxationofdisciplineDegeneracyofthemonksComparedwithsecularclergyBenefitswhichMonasticismconferredLearningofthemonksTheircommonlifeRevivalofLearningRiseofScholasticismSaintBernardHisearlypietyandgreatattainments。
HisvastmoralinfluenceHisreformsandlaborsRiseofDominicansandFranciscans。
ZealofthemendicantfriarsGeneralbenefitsofMonasticinstitutionsAuthoritiesSAINTANSELM。
MEDIAEVALTHEOLOGY。
BirthandearlylifeofAnselmTheAbbeyofBeeScholarlylifeofAnselmVisitsofAnselmtoEnglandComparedwithBecketLanfranc，ArchbishopofCanterburyPrivilegesoftheArchbishopUnwillingnessofAnselmtobeelevatedLanfrancsucceededbyAnselmQuarrelbetweenAnselmandWilliamRufusDespoticcharacterofWilliamDisputedclaimsofPopesUrbanandClementCouncilofRockinghamRoyaleffortstodeposeAnselmFirmnessandheroismofAnselmDuplicityofthekingHisintrigueswiththePopePretendedreconciliationwithAnselmAppealstoRomeInordinateclaimsofthePopeAllegianceofAnselmtothePopeAnselmatRomeDeathofWilliamandAccessionofHenryI。
RoyalencroachmentsHenryquarrelswithAnselmResultsofthequarrelAnselmasatheologianTheologyoftheMiddleAgesMonksbecomephilosophersGotschalkandpredestinationJohnScotusErigenaRevivedspiritofinquiryServicesofAnselmtotheologyHebringsphilosophytosupporttheologyCombatsNominalismHisphilosophicaldeductionsHisdevoutChristianspiritAuthoritiesTHOMASAQUINAS。
THESCHOLASTICPHILOSOPHY。
PeterAbelardGivesanewimpulsetophilosophyRationalistictendencyofhisteachingsThehatredshecreatedPeterLombardHis“BookofSentences“
IntroductionofthewritingsofAristotleintoEuropeUniversityofParisCharacterofthestudentsTheirvariousstudiesAristotle’slogicusedThemethodoftheSchoolmenTheDominicansandFranciscansInnocentIII。
ThomasAquinasHisearlylifeandstudiesAlbertusMagnusAquinas’sfirstgreatworkMadeDoctorofTheologyHis“SummaTheologica“
ItsvastlearningParallelbetweenAquinasandPlatoParallelbetweenPlatoandAristotleInfluenceofScholasticismWasteofintellectuallifeScholasticismattractivetotheMiddleAgesTobeadmiredlikeacathedralAuthoritiesTHOMASBECKET。
PRELATICALPOWER。
BecketapuzzletohistoriansHisearlyhistoryHisgradualelevationFriendshipwithHenryII。
BecketmadeChancellorElevatedtotheSeeofCanterburyDignityofanarchbishopofCanterburyLanfrancAnselmTheobaldBecketincontrastHisascetichabitsaspriestHishigh-churchprinciplesUpholdsthespiritualcourtsDefendstheprivilegesofhisorderConflictwiththekingConstitutionsofClarendonPersecutionofBecketHeyieldsatfirsttothekingHisrepentanceDefectionofthebishopsBecketescapestotheContinentSupportedbyLouisVII。ofFranceInsincerityofthePopeBecketatPontignyinexileHisindignantrebukeofthePopeWhoexcommunicatestheArchbishopofYorkHenryobligedtocompromiseHollowreconciliationwithBecketReturnofBeckettoCanterburyHistriumphalprocessionAnnoyanceofHenryAssassinationofBecketConsequencesofthemurderAuthoritiesTHEFEUDALSYSTEM。
AnarchiesoftheMerovingianperiodSocietyonthedissolutionofCharlemagne’sempireAllodialtenureOriginofFeudalismDependenceandprotectiontheprinciplesofFeudalismPeasantsandtheirmastersThesentimentofloyaltyContentmentofthepeasantryEvilsthatcannotberedressedSubmissiontothemanecessityDivisionofCharlemagne’sempireLifeofthenoblesPleasuresandhabitsoffeudalbaronsAristocraticcharacterofFeudalismSlaveryofthepeopleIndirectblessingsofFeudalismSlaverynotanunmixedevilInfluenceofchivalryDevotiontowomanTheladyofthebaronialcastleReasonswhywomenwereworshippedDignityofthebaronialhomeTheChristianwomancontrastedwiththepaganGloryandbeautyofChivalryAuthoritiesTHECRUSADES。
TheCrusadesthegreatexternaleventoftheMiddleAgesAsemi-religiousandsemi-militarymovementWhatgivesinteresttowars？
WarstheexponentsofprevailingideasTheoverrulingofallwarsThemajestyofProvidenceseeninwarOriginoftheCrusadesPilgrimagestoJerusalemMiseriesandinsultsofthepilgrimsIntensehatredofMohammedanismPeterofAmiensCouncilofClermontTheFirstCrusadeItsmiseriesandmistakesTheSecondCrusadeTheThirdCrusadeTheFourth，Children’s，Fifth，andSixthCrusadesTheSeventhCrusadeAllalikeunsuccessful，andwastefuloflifeandenergiesPeculiaritiesandimmensemistakesoftheCrusadersThemoralevilsoftheCrusadesUltimateresultsoftheCrusadesBarriermadeagainstMohammedanconquestsPoliticalnecessityoftheCrusadesTheireffectinweakeningtheFeudalsystemEffectoftheCrusadesonthegrowthofcitiesOncommerceandartandliteratureTheyscatterthegermsofanewcivilizationTheycentralizepowerTheyultimatelyelevatetheEuropeanracesAuthoritiesWILLIAMOFWYKEHAM。
GOTHICARCHITECTURE。
RomanarchitectureFirstformofaChristianchurchThechangetotheRomanesqueItspeculiaritiesItsconnectionwithMonasticismGloomyaspectofthechurchesofthetenthandeleventhcenturiesEffectoftheCrusadesonchurcharchitectureChurcharchitecturebecomescheerfulTheGothicchurchesofFranceandGermanyTheEnglishMediaevalchurchesGloriesofthepointedarchEffectoftheRenaissanceonarchitectureMongrelstyleoftheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturiesRevivalofthepuregothicChurchesshouldbeadaptedtotheirusesIncongruityofProtestantismwithritualisticarchitectureProtestantismdemandsachurchforpreachingGothicvaultsunfavorabletooratoryAuthoritiesJOHNWYCLIF。
DAWNOFTHEREFORMATION。
HarmonyofProtestantandMediaevalcreedsTheReformationamoralmovementTheevilsofPapalinstitutionsTheevilsofmonasticlifeQuarrelsanddissolutenessofmonksBirthofWyclifHisscholasticattainmentsandhonorsHispoliticalinfluenceThepowerswhohaveruledtheworldWyclifsentonamissiontoBrugesProtectionofJohnofGauntWyclifsummonedtoanecclesiasticalcouncilHisdefendersandfoesTriumphofWyclifHeopenlydenouncesthePopeHistranslationoftheBibleOppositiontoitbythehigherclergyHostilityofRomanCatholicismtotherightofprivatejudgmentHostilitytotheBibleinvernaculartonguesSpreadoftheBibleinEnglishWyclifasadoctrinalreformerHeattacksTransubstantiationDesertedbytheDukeofLancasterButdiespeaceablyinhisparishWyclifcontrastedwithLutherHisgreatservicestothechurchReasonswhyheescapedmartyrdomAuthoritiesMOHAMMED
A。D。570-632。
SARACENICCONQUESTS
ThemostextraordinarymanwhoaroseafterthefalloftheRomanEmpirewasdoubtlessMohammed;*andhisposthumousinfluencehasbeengreaterthanthatofanymansinceChristianitywasdeclared，ifwetakeintoaccountthenumberofthosewhohavereceivedhisdoctrines。EvenChristianityneverhadsorapidaspread。MorethanasixthpartofthehumanracearetheprofessedfollowersoftheArabianprophet。
*SpelledalsoMahomet，Mahommed;butIpreferMohammed。
InregardtoMohammedhimself，agreatchangehastakenplaceintheopinionsofcriticswithinfiftyyears。Itwasthefashionhalfacenturyagotospeakofthismanasahypocrite，animpostor，evenasAntichrist。Nowheisgenerallyregardedasareformer;thatis，asamanwhointroducedintoArabiaareligionandamoralitysuperiortowhatpreviouslyexisted，andheisregardedasanimpostoronlysofarashewasvisionary。Fewcriticsdoubthissincerity。Hewasnohypocrite，sincehehimselfbelievedinhismission;andhismissionwasbenevolent，——toturnhiscountrymenfromagrosspolytheismtotheworshipofoneGod。
AlthoughhisreligioncannotcomparewithChristianityinpurityandloftiness，yetitenforcedahighermoralitythantheoldArabianreligions，andassimilatedtoChristianityinmanyimportantrespects。ThechieffaultwehavetofindinMohammedwas，thepropagationofhisdoctrinesbythesword，andtheuseofwickedmeanstobringaboutagoodend。ThetruthshedeclaredhavehadanimmenseinfluenceonAsiaticnations，andthesehavegivenvitalitytohissystem，ifweacceptthepositionthattruthalonehasvitality。
Oneremarkablefactstandsoutfortheworldtoponder，——that，formorethanfourteenhundredyears，onehundredandeightymillionsmorethanasixthpartofthehumanracehaveadoptedandcherishedthereligionofMohammed;thatChristianityneverhadsoastonishingatriumph;andthateventheadherentsofChristianity，inmanycountries，havenotmanifestedthezealoftheMohammedansinmostofthecountrieswhereithasbeenacknowledged。NowthesestartlingfactscanbeexplainedonlyonthegroundthatMohammedanismhasgreatvitalreligiousandmoraltruthsunderlyingitssystemwhichappealtotheconsciousnessofmankind，orelsethatthesetruthsaresoblendedwithdangerouserrorswhichappealtodepravedpassionsandinterests，thatthereligionspreadinconsequenceoftheseerrorsratherthanofthetruthitself。
Thequestiontobeconsidered，then，iswhetherMohammedanismspreadinconsequenceofitstruthsorinconsequenceofitserrors。
InordertoappreciatetheinfluenceoftheArabianprophet，wearefirstledintotheinquirywhetherhisreligionwasreallyanimprovementontheoldsystemswhichpreviouslyprevailedinArabia。Ifitwas，hemustberegardedasabenefactorandreformer，evenifweadmittheglaringevilsofhissystem，whenmeasuredbythepurerreligionoftheCross。Anditthensimplybecomesaquestionwhetheritisbettertohaveaprevalentcorruptedsystemofreligioncontainingmanyimportanttruths，orasystemofdownrightpaganismwithfewtruthsatall。
InexaminingthereligioussystemsofArabiaintheageprecedingtheadventoftheProphet，itwouldseemthatthemostprominentofthemweretheolddoctrinesoftheMagiansandSabaeans，blendedwithagrossidolatryandasenselesspolytheism。WhatevermayhavebeenthefaithoftheancientSabaeansages，whonotedtheaspectsofthestars，andsupposedtheywereinhabitedbyangelsplacedtherebyAlmightypowertosuperviseandgoverntheuniverse，yethistoryseemstorecordthatthisancientfaithwaspracticallysubverted，andthatthestars，whereweresupposedtodwelldeitiestowhomprayersweremade，becamethemselvesobjectsofworship，andevengravenimagesweremadeinhonorofthem。
AmongtheArabseachtribeworshippedaparticularstar，andsetupitsparticularidol，sothatadegradingpolytheismwasthereligionoftheland。TheobjectofgreatestvenerationwasthecelebratedBlackStone，atMecca，fabledtohavefallenfromheavenatthesametimewithAdam。OverthisstonewasbuilttheKaabah，asmalloblongstonebuilding，aroundwhichhasbeensincebuiltthegreatmosque。Itwasornamentedwiththreehundredandsixtyidols。TheguardianshipofthispagantemplewasintrustedtothemostancientandhonorablefamiliesofMecca，andtoitresortedinnumerablepilgrimsbringingpreciousofferings。ItwasliketheshrineofDelphi，asasourceofprofittoitsfortunateguardians。
ThusbeforeMohammedappearedpolytheismwastheprevalentreligionofArabia，——adegradationevenfromtheancientSabaeanfaith。Itistruetherewerealsootherreligions。ThereweremanyJewsatMedina;andtherewasalsoacorruptedformofChristianityinmanyplaces，splitupintohostileandwranglingsects，withbutlittleofthespiritofthedivineFounder，withinnumerableerrorsandsuperstitions，sothatinnopartoftheworldwasChristianitysofeeblealight。Butthegreatbodyofthepeoplewerepagans。A
markedreformwasimperativelyneededtorestorethebeliefintheunityofGodandsetupahigherstandardofmorality。
ItisclaimedthatMohammedbroughtsuchareform。Hewasbornintheyear570，ofthefamilyofHashemandthetribeofKoreish，towhomwasintrustedthekeepingoftheBlackStone。HethereforebelongedtothehighestArabianaristocracy。Earlyleftanorphanandinpoverty，hewasrearedinthefamilyofoneofhisuncles，underalltheinfluencesofidolatry。Thisunclewasamerchant，andtheyouthmadelongjourneyswithhimtodistantfairs，especiallyinSyria，whereheprobablybecameacquaintedwiththeHolyScriptures，especiallywiththeOldTestament。Inhistwenty-
fifthyearheenteredtheserviceofCadijeh，averywealthywidow，whosenttothefairsandtownsgreatcaravans，whichMohammedaccompaniedinsomehumblecapacity，——accordingtothetraditionascamel-driver。Buthispersonalbeauty，whichwasremarkable，andprobablyalsohisintelligenceandspirit，wontheheartofthispowerfulmistress，andshebecamehiswife。
HewasnowsecondtononeinthecapitalofArabia，andgreatthoughtsbegantofillhissoul。Hiswifeperceivedhisgreatness，and，likeJosephineandthewifeofDisraeli，forwardedthefortunesofherhusband，forhebecamerichaswellasintellectualandnoble，andthushadtimeandleisuretoaccomplishmoreeasilyhiswork。Fromtwenty-fivetofortyheledchieflyacontemplativelife，spendingmonthstogetherinacave，absorbedinhisgrandreflections，——atintervalsissuingfromhisretreat，visitingthemartsofcommerce，andgainingknowledgefromlearnedmen。Itisseldomthatverygreatmenleadeitheralifeofperpetualcontemplationorofperpetualactivity。Withoutoccasionalrest，andleisuretomatureknowledge，nomancanarmhimselfwiththeweaponsofthegods。Tobetrulygreat，amanmustblendalifeofactivitywithalifeofstudy，——likeMoses，whomaturedtheknowledgehehadgainedinEgyptamidthedesertsofMidian。
Withallgreatmensomeleadingidearulestheordinarylife。TheideawhichtookpossessionofthemindofMohammedwasthedegradingpolytheismofhiscountrymen，themultitudeoftheiridols，thegrossnessoftheirworship，andthedegradingmoralswhichusuallyaccompanyafalsetheology。Hesethimselftoworktoproduceareform，butamidoverwhelmingobstacles。Hetalkedwithhisuncles，andtheylaughedathim。Theywouldnotevenadmitthenecessityofareform。OnlyCadijehlistenedtohimandencouragedhimandbelievedinhim。AndMohammedwasevergratefulforthismarkofconfidence，andcherishedthememoryofhiswifeinhissubsequentapostasy，——ifitbetruethathefell，likeSolomon。Longafterwards，whenshewasdead，Ayesha，hisyoungandfavoritewife，thusaddressedhim:“AmInotbetterthanCadijeh？
Doyounotlovemebetterthanyoudidher？Shewasawidow，oldandugly。”“No，byAllah！“repliedtheProphet;“shebelievedinmewhennooneelsedid。InthewholeworldIhadbutonefriend，andshewasthatfriend。”Nowomaneverretainedtheaffectionsofahusbandsuperiortoherself，unlessshehadthespiritofCadijeh，——unlesssheprovedherselfhisfriend，andbelievedinhim。HowmiserablethelifeofJaneCarlylewouldhavebeenhadshenotbeenproudofherhusband！Onereasonwhythereisfrequentunhappinessinmarriedlifeisbecausethereisnomutualappreciation。Howoftenhaveweseenanoble，lofty，earnestmanfetteredandchainedbyafrivolouswomanwhocouldnotbemadetoseethedignityandimportanceofthelaborswhichgavetoherhusbandallhisrealpower！NotsowiththewomanwhoassistedMohammed。Withouthersympathyandfaithheprobablywouldhavefailed。Hetoldher，andheralone，hisdreams，hisecstasies，hisvisions;howthatGodatdifferenttimeshadsentprophetsandteacherstorevealnewtruths，bywhomreligionhadbeenrestored;
howthisoneGod，whocreatedtheheavensandtheearth，hadneverleftHimselfwithoutwitnessesofHistruthinthemostdegeneratetimes;howthattheuniversalrecognitionofthissovereignPowerandProvidencewasnecessarytothesalvationofsociety。HehadlearnedmuchfromthestudyoftheTalmudandtheJewishScriptures;hehadreflecteddeeplyinhisisolatedcave;heknewthattherewasbutonesupremeGod，andthattherecouldbenoelevatedmoralitywithoutthesenseofpersonalresponsibilitytoHim;thatwithoutthefearofthisoneGodtherecouldbeneitherwisdomnorvirtue。
HencehissoulburnedtotellhiscountrymenhisearnestbeliefinasupremeandpersonalGod，towhomaloneprayersshouldbemade，andwhoalonecouldrescuebyHisalmightypower。Hepondereddayandnightonthissingleandsimpletruth。Hisperpetualmeditationsandascetichabitsinduceddreamsandecstasies，suchasmarkedprimitivemonks，andLoyalainhisManresancave。Hebecameavisionaryman，butmostintenselyearnest，forhisconvictionswereoverwhelming。HefanciedhimselftheambassadorofthisGod，astheancientJewishprophetswere;thathewasevengreaterthanthey，hismissionbeingtoremoveidolatry，——tohismindthegreatestevilunderthesun，sinceitwastherootofallvicesandfollies。IdolatryiseitheradefianceoraforgetfulnessofGod，——hightreasontothemajestyofHeaven，entailingthedirestcalamities。
Atlast，oneday，inhisfortiethyear，afterhehadbeenshutupawholemonthinsolitude，sothathissoulwasfilledwithecstasyandenthusiasm，hedeclaredtoCadijehthatthenightbefore，whilewrappedinhismantle，absorbedinreverie，aformofdivinebeauty，inafloodoflight，appearedtohim，and，inthenameoftheAlmightywhocreatedtheheavensandtheearth，thusspake:“O，Mohammed！ofatruththouarttheProphetofGod，andIamhisangelGabriel。”“This。”saysCarlyle，“isthesoulofIslam。ThisiswhatMohammedfeltandnowdeclaredtobeofinfinitemoment，thatidolsandformulaswerenothing;thatthejargonofargumentativeGreeksects，thevaguetraditionsofJews，thestupidroutineofArabidolatrywereamockeryandadelusion;thatthereisbutoneGod;thatwemustletidolsaloneandlooktoHim。Healoneisreality;Hemadeusandsustainsus。OurwholestrengthliesinsubmissiontoHim。ThethingHesendsus，beitdeatheven，isgood，isthebest。WeresignourselvestoHim。”
SuchwerethetruthswhichMohammed，withpreternaturalearnestness，nowdeclared，——doctrineswhichwouldrevolutionizeArabia。Andwhynot？TheyarethesamesubstantiallywhichMosesdeclared，tothosesensualanddegradedslaveswhomheledoutofEgypt，——yea，thedoctrinesofDavidandofJob。“ThoughHeslayme，yetwillItrustinHim。”Whatagrandandall-importanttruthitistoimpressuponpeoplesunkinforgetfulnessandsensualityandpleasure-seekingandidleschemesofvanityandambition，thatthereisasupremeIntelligencewhooverrules，andwhoselawscannotbeviolatedwithimpunity;fromwhomnoonecanescape，eventhoughhe“takethewingsofthemorningandflytotheuttermostpartsofthesea。”ThisistheonetruththatMosessoughttoplantinthemindsoftheJews，——atruthalwaysforgottenwhenthereisslaverytoepicureanpleasuresorafalsephilosophy。
NowImaintainthatMohammed，inseekingtoimpresshisdegeneratecountrymenwiththeideaoftheonesupremeGod，amidamostdegradingandalmostuniversalpolytheism，wasagreatreformer。
Inpreachingthishewasneitherfanaticnorhypocrite;hewasaverygreatman，andthusfaragoodman。Hedoesnotmakeanoriginalrevelation;hereproducesanoldtruth，——asoldasthepatriarchs，asoldasJob，asoldastheprimitivereligions，——butanexceedinglyimportantone，lostsightofbyhiscountrymen，graduallylostsightofbyallpeopleswhendivinegraceiswithheld;indeedpracticallybypeopleinChristianlandsintimesofgreatdegeneracy。“ThefoolhassaidinhisheartthereisnoGod;“or，LettherebenoGod，thatwemayeatanddrinkbeforewedie。Epicureanism，initspleasuresorinitsspeculations，isvirtuallyatheism。ItwassoinGreece。Itissowithus。
Mohammedwasnowatthematureageofforty，inthefulnessofhispowers，intheprimeofhislife;andhebegantopreacheverywherethatthereisbutoneGod。Few，however，believedinhim。Whynotacknowledgesuchafundamentaltruth，appealingtotheintellectaswellasthemoralsense？ButtoconfessthereisasupremeGod，whorewardsandpunishes，andtowhomallareresponsiblebothforwordsandactions，istoimplyaconfessionofsinfulnessandthejusticeofretribution。ThosedegradedArabianswouldnotreceivewillinglysuchatruthasthis，evenastheIsraeliteseversoughttobanishitfromtheirheartsandminds，inspiteoftheirdeliverancefromslavery。TheunclesandfriendsofMohammedtreatedhismissionwithscornandderision。NordoIreadthatthecommonpeopleheardhimgladly，astheylistenedtotheteachingsofChrist。Zealouslyhelaboredforthreeyearswithallclasses;andyetinthreeyearsofexaltedlabor，withallhiseloquenceandfervorandsincerity，heconvertedonlyaboutthirteenpersons，oneofwhomwashisslave。Thinkofsuchamandeclaringsuchatruth，andonlygainingthirteenfollowersinthreeyears！Howsickenedmusthavebeenhisenthusiasticsoul！
Hisworldlyrelativesurgedhimtosilence。Whyattackidols;whyquarrelwithhisowninterests;whydestroyhispopularity？Thenexclaimedthatgreathero:“Ifthesunstoodonmyrighthand，andthemoononmyleft，orderingmetoholdmypeace，IwouldstilldeclarethereisbutoneGod。”——aspeechrivalledonlybyLutherattheDietofWorms。Whyurgeagreatmantobesilentontheverythingwhichmakeshimgreat？Hecannotbesilent。Histruth——fromwhichhecannotbeseparated——isgreaterthanlifeordeath，orprincipalitiesorpowers。
Buffetedandridiculed，stillMohammedpersevered。Heusedatfirstonlymoralmeans。Heappealedonlytothemindsandheartsofthepeople，encouragedbyhisfewbelieversandsustainedbythefanciedvoiceofthatangelwhoappearedtohiminhisretreat。
Buthisearnestvoicewasdrownedbydiscordantnoises。Hewasregardedasalunatic，adementedman，becauseheprofessedtobelieveinapersonalGod。Theangrymobcoveredhisclotheswithdustandashes。Theydemandedmiracles。Butatthistimehehadonlytruthstodeclare，——thosesavingtruthswhichareperpetualmiracles。Atlasthostilitiesbegan。Hewasthreatenedandhewaspersecuted。Theylaidplotstotakehislife。Hesoughtshelterinthecastleofhisuncle，AbuTaleh;buthedied。ThenMohammed’swifeCadijehdied。Thepriestsofanidolatrousreligionbecamefurious。Hehadlaidhishandsontheiridols。Hewasregardedasadisorganizer，aninnovator，amostdangerousman。
Hisfortunesbecamedarkeranddarker;hewashated，persecuted，andalone。
Thusthirteenyearspassedawayinreproach，inpersecution，infear。Atlastfortypickedmensworetoassassinatehim。ShouldheremainatMeccaanddie，beforehismissionwasaccomplished，orshouldhefly？HeconcludedtoflytoMedina，wheretherewereJews，andsomenominalconvertstoChristianity，——anewground。
Thiswasintheyear622，andtheflightiscalledtheHegira，——
fromwhichtheEastdatesitsera，inthefifty-thirdyearoftheProphet’slife。Inthiscityhewascordiallywelcomed，andhesoonfoundhimselfsurroundedwithenthusiasticfollowers。Hebuiltamosque，andopenlyperformedtheritesofthenewreligion。
AtthiseraanewphaseappearsintheProphet’slifeandteachings。Thusfar，untilhisflight，itwouldseemthathepropagatedhisdoctrinesbymoralforcealone，andthatthesedoctrines，inthemain，wereelevated。HehadearnestlydeclaredhisgreatideaoftheunityofGod。Hehadpronouncedtheworshipofimagestobeidolatrous。Heheldidolatryofallkindsinsupremeabhorrence。Heenjoinedcharity，justice，andforbearance。
Hedenouncedallfalsehoodandalldeception，especiallyintrade。
Hedeclaredthathumility，benevolence，andself-abnegationwerethegreatestvirtues。Hecommandedhisdisciplestoreturngoodforevil，torestrainthepassions，tobridlethetongue，tobepatientunderinjuries，tobesubmissivetoGod。Heenjoinedprayer，fastings，andmeditationasameansofgrace。Helaiddownthenecessityofrestontheseventhday。HecopiedthepreceptsoftheBibleinmanyoftheiressentialfeatures，andrecognizeditsgreatestteachersasinspiredprophets。
ItwasduringthesethirteenyearsatMecca，amidpersecutionandridicule，andwithfewoutwardsuccesses，thatheprobablywrotetheKoran，——abookwithoutbeginningandwithoutend，disjectamembra，regardlessofallrulesofart，fullofrepetitions，andyetfullofloftypreceptsandnobletruthsofmoralityevidentlyborrowedfromtheJewishScriptures，——inwhichhisgreatideasstandoutwithsingulareloquenceandimpressiveness:theunityofGod，Hisdivinesovereignty，thenecessityofprayer，thesoul’simmortality，futurerewardsandpunishments。Hisownprivatelifehadbeenblameless。Itwasplainandsimple。Forawholemonthhedidnotlightafiretocookhisfood。Heswepthischamberhimselfandmendedhisownclothes。Hislifewasthatofanasceticenthusiast，profoundlyimpressedwiththegreatnessanddignityofhismission。ThusfarhisgreatesterrorandfaultwasinthesuppositionthathewasinspiredinthesamesenseastheancientJewishprophetswereinspired，——todeclarethewillandthetruthofGod。Anymanleadingsuchalifeofcontemplativeasceticismandretirementispronetofallintothebeliefofspecialdivineillumination。ItcharacterizedGeorgeFox，theAnabaptists，IgnatiusLoyola，SaintTheresa，andeven，tosomeextent，OliverCromwellhimself。Mohammed’ssupremeerrorwasthathewasthegreatestaswellasthelastoftheprophets。Thiswasfanaticism，buthewasprobablyhonestinthebelief。Hisbrainwasturnedbydreams，ecstasies，andasceticdevotions。Butwithallhisvisionaryideasofhiscall，hisownmoralityandhisteachingshadbeenlofty，andapparentlyunsuccessful。Possiblyhewasdiscouragedwiththesmallprogresshehadmade，——disgusted，irritated，fierce。
Certainly，soonafterhewasestablishedatMedina，agreatchangetookplaceinhismodeofpropagatinghisdoctrines。Hisgreatideasremainedthesame，butheadoptedanewwaytospreadthem。
SothatIcanalmostfancythatsomeMephistopheles，someformofSatanicagency，somelyingVoicewhisperedtohiminthiswise:“O
Mohammed！ofatruththouarttheProphetofthelivingGod。ThouhastdeclaredthegrandesttruthseverutteredinArabia;butseehowpowerlesstheyareonthemindsandheartsofthycountrymen，withallthyeloquence，sincerity，andfervor。Bymoralmeansthouhasteffectedcomparativelynothing。Thouhastpreachedthirteenyears，andonlymadeafewconverts。Thytruthsaretooelevatedforacorruptandwickedgenerationtoaccept。Eventhineownlifeisindanger。Thouhastbeenobligedtoflytothesebarrenrocksandsands。Thouhastfailed。Whynotpursueanewcourse，andadaptthydoctrinestomenastheyare？Thycountrymenarewild，fierce，andwarlike:whynotincitetheirmartialpassionsindefenceofthydoctrines？Theyareanearnestpeople，and，believinginthetruthswhichthounowdeclarest，theywillfightforthemandestablishthembythesword，notmerelyinArabia，butthroughouttheEast。Theyareapleasure-lovingandimaginativepeople:whynotpromisethevictorsofthyfaithasensualblissinParadise？Theywillnotbesubvertersofyourgrandtruths;theywillsimplyextendthem，andjealously，iftheyhavearewardinwhattheirpassionscrave。Inshort，usethepropermeansforagreatend。Theendjustifiesthemeans。”
Whetherinfluencedbysuchspecioussophistries，ordisheartenedbyhisformermethod，orcorruptedinhisownheart，asSolomonwas，byhisnumerouswives，——forMohammedpermittedpolygamyandpractisedithimself，——itiscertainthathenowwasbentonachievingmoresignalandrapidvictories。Heresolvedtoadapthisreligiontothedepravedheartsofhisfollowers。Hewouldmixuptruthwitherror;hewouldmaketruthpalatable;hewouldusethemeanswhichsecuresuccess。Itwassuccesshewanted，andsuccesshethusfarhadnotsecured。Hewasambitious;hewouldbecomeamightyspiritualpotentate。
Soheallowedpolygamy，——theviceofEasternnationsfromremoteperiods;hepromisedasensualParadisetothosewhoshoulddieindefenceofhisreligion;heinflamedtheimaginationoftheArabianswithvisionsofsensualjoys。Hepaintedheavenasalandwhosesoilwasthefinestwheatenflour，whoseairwasfragrantwithperfumes，whosestreamswereofcrystalwaterormilkorwineorhoney，flowingoverbedsofmuskandcamphor，——agloriousgardenoffruitsandflowers，whoseinhabitantswereclothedingarmentsofgold，sparklingwithrubiesanddiamonds，whoreclinedinsumptuouspalacesandsilkenpavilions，andoncouchesofvoluptuousease，andwhowereservedwithviandswhichcouldbeeatenwithoutsatiety，andliquorswhichcouldbedrunkwithoutinebriation;yea，wheretheblissfulwarriorforthefaithshouldenjoyanunendingyouth，andwherehewouldbeattendedbyhouris，withblackandlovingeyes，freefromalldefects，resplendentinbeautyandgrace，andrejoicinginperpetualcharms。
Suchweretheviews，itismaintained，withwhichheinflamedthefaithful。And，more，heencouragedthemtotakeuparms，andpenetrate，aswarlikemissionaries，totheutmostboundsofthehabitableworld，inordertoconvertmentothefaithoftheoneGod，whoseProphetheclaimedtobe。Moreover，hemadenewandextraordinary“revelations。”——thathehadascendedintotheseventhheavenandheldconversewithGabriel;andhenowaddedtohiscreedthatoldlieofEasterntheogonies，thatbaseelementofallfalsereligions，——thatmancanpropitiatetheDeitybyworksofsupererogation;thatmancanpurchasebyasceticlaborsandsacrificeshisfuturesalvation。ThisfalsityenterslargelyintoMohammedanism。Ineednotaddhowdiscrepantitiswiththecheerfulteachingsoftheapostles，especiallytothepoor，asseeninthedeedsofpenance，prayersinthecornersofthestreets，theablutions，thefasts，andthepilgrimagestowhichthefaithfulareexhorted。Andmoreoverheaccommodatedhisfastsandfeastsandholidaysandpilgrimagestotheoldcustomsofthepeople，therebyteachinglessonsofworldlywisdom。Astarte，theoldobjectofSabaeanidolatry，wasparticularlyworshippedonaFriday;andthisdaywasmadetheMohammedanSabbath。Again，themonthRhamadan，fromtimeimmemorial，hadbeensetapartforfastings;thismonththeProphetadopted，declaringthatinithehadreceivedhisfirstrevelations。PilgrimagestotheBlackStonewerefavoriteformsofpenance;andthiswasperpetuatedinthepilgrimagestoMecca。
ThusitwouldappearthatMohammed，afterhisflight，accommodatedhisdoctrinestothecustomsandtastesofhiscountrymen，——
blendingwiththesublimetruthshedeclaredsubtileandperniciouserrors。TheearlymissionariesdidthesamethinginChinaandJapan，thinkingmoreofthenumberoftheirconvertsthanofthetruthitself。Expediency——theutterlyfallaciousprincipleoftheendjustifyingthemeans——isseeninalmosteverythinginthisworldwhichblazeswithsuccess。Itisseeninpolitics，inphilanthropy，inecclesiasticism，andineducation。Sotheearliermissionaries，disregardingtheirvows，madethecausetowhichtheywereconsecratedsubservienttotheirpersonalgain。Whatdoyouthinkofaman，wearingtheliveryofagospelminister，devotingallhisenergiestomoney-making，versedinthewaysofthe“heathenChinee。”——“waysthataredark，andtricksthatarevain。”——
alltosucceedbetterinworldlythrift，usingallmeansforthatsingleend，——ishenotatraitortohisGod，hisChurch，andhisfellowmen？“Truthforeveronthescaffold，Wrongforeveronthethrone。”Whatwouldyouthinkofacollegewhichloweredthestandardofeducationinordertodrawstudents，orselected，astheguardiansofitshigherinterests，thosemenwhowouldcontributethemostmoneytoitsfunds？
ThisspiritofexpediencyMohammedentertainedandutilized，inordertogainsuccess。MostofwhatisfalseinMohammedanismisbasedonexpediency。Theendwasnotlostsightof，——theconversionofhiscountrymentothebeliefintheunityandsovereigntyofGod，butitwassoughtbymeanswhichwouldmakethemfanaticsorpharisees。Hewasnotsuchamiserablecreatureasonewhoseekstomakemoneybytradingonthereligiouscapitalofthecommunity;buthedidadapthisreligiontothepassionsandhabitsofthepeopleinorderthattheymightmorereadilybeledtoacceptit。HelistenedtothatsamewickedVoicewhichafterwardsappearedintheguiseofanangeloflighttomediaevalritualists。AnditisthusthatSatanhascontrivedtopervertthebestinstitutionsoftheworld。Themomentgoodmenlooktooutwardandsuperficialtriumphs，tothedisregardofinwardpurity，thatmomentdotheyaccepttheseductivelieofallages，——
“Theendjustifiesthemeans。”
ButtheworstthingwhichtheProphetdidinordertogainhisendwastomakeuseofthesword。Forthirteenyearsheappealedtoconscience。Nowhemakesitaninducementformentofightforhisgreatidea。“Differentprophets。”saidhe，inhismemorablemanifesto，“havebeensentbyGodtoillustrateHisdifferentattributes:Moses，Hisprovidence;Solomon，Hiswisdom;Christ，Hisrighteousness;butI，thelastoftheprophets，amsentwiththesword。Letthosewhopromulgatemyfaithenterintonoargumentsordiscussions，butslayallwhorefuseobedience。Whoeverfightsforthetruefaith，whetherhefallorconquer，willassuredlyreceiveagloriousreward，fortheswordisthekeyofheaven。Allwhodrawitindefenceofthefaithshallreceivetemporalandfutureblessings。Everydropoftheirblood，everyperilandhardship，willberegisteredonhighasmoremeritoriousthanfastingorprayer。Iftheyfallinbattletheirsinswillbewashedaway，andtheyshallbetransportedintoParadise，torevelineternalpleasures，andinthearmsofblack-eyedhouris。”Thusdidhestimulatethemartialfanaticismofawarlikeandheroicpeoplewiththepromiseoffuturehappiness。Whatamonstrousexpediency，——worsethanallthecombinedusurpationsofthepopes！
Andwhatwastheresult？IneednotpointtothesuccessiveconquestsoftheSaracenswithsuchamightystimulus。Theywereloyaltothetruthforwhichtheyfought。Theyneverafterwardsbecameidolaters;buttheirreligionwasbuiltuponthemiseriesofnations。TopropagatethefaithofMohammedtheyoverrantheworld。Neverwereconquestsmorerapidandmoreterrible。
AtfirstMohammed’sfollowersinMedinasalliedoutandattackedthecaravansofArabia，andespeciallyallbelongingtoMeccathecitywhichhadrejectedhim，untilallthevarioustribesacknowledgedthereligionoftheProphet，fortheywereeasilyconvertedtoafaithwhichflatteredtheirpredatoryinclinationsandpromisedthemfutureimmunities。ThefirstcavalcadewhichenteredMedinawithspoilsmadeMussulmansofalltheinhabitants，andgaveMohammedthecontrolofthecity。ThebattleofMoatgavehimatriumphalentranceintoMecca。HesoonfoundhimselfthesovereignofallArabia;andwhenhedied，attheageof63，intheeleventhyearafterhisHegira，orflightfromMecca，hewasthemostsuccessfulfounderofareligiontheworldhasknown，nexttoBuddha。Areligionappealingtotruthalonehadmadeonlyafewconvertsinthirteenyears;areligionwhichappealedtotheswordhadmadeconvertsofagreatnationinelevenyears。
ItisdifficulttoascertainwhattheprivatelifeoftheProphetwasintheseyearsofdazzlingsuccess。Theauthoritiesdiffer。
Somerepresenthimassunkinamiserablesensualitywhichshortenedhisdays。ButIthinkthisstatementmaybedoubted。Heneverlostthevenerationofhiscountrymen，——andnovenerationcanlastforamansteepedinsensuality。EvenSolomonlosthisprestigeandpopularitywhenhebecamevainandsensual。ThosewhowerenearesttotheProphetreverencedhimmostprofoundly。WithhiswifeAyeshahelivedwithgreatfrugality。Hewaskindly，firminfriendship，faithfulandtenderinhisfamily，readytoforgiveenemies，justindecision。Thecaliphswhosucceededhim，forsometime，weremenofgreatsimplicity，andsoughttoimitatehisvirtues。Hewasdoubtlesswarlikeandfanatical，butconquestssuchasheandhissuccessorsmadeareincompatiblewithluxuryandeffeminacy。Hestandsarraignedatthebarofeternaljusticeforpervertingtruth，forblendingitwitherror，formakinguseofwickedmeanstoaccomplishwhathedeemedagreatend。
IhavenopatiencewithMr。Carlyle，greatandvenerableasishisauthority，forseemingtojustifyMohammedinassumingthesword。
“Icarelittleforthesword。”saysthissophisticalwriter。“I
willallowathingtostruggleforitselfinthisworld，withanyswordortongueorimplementithasorcanlayholdon。Whatisbetterthanitselfitcannotputaway，butonlywhatisworse。Inthisgreatlife-duelNatureherselfisumpire，andcandonowrong。”Thatis，mightmakesright;onlyevilperishesintheconflictofprinciples;whateverprevailsisjust。Inotherwords，ifMohammedanism，byanymeansitmaychoosetouse，provesitselfmoreformidablethanotherreligions，thenitoughttoprevail。
SupposethatthevictoriesoftheSaracenshadextendedoverEurope，aswellasAsiaandAfrica，——hadnotbeenarrestedbyCharlesMartel，——wouldCarlylethenhavepreferredMohammedanismtotheChristianityofdegeneratenations？WasMohammedanismabetterreligionthantheChristianitywhichexistedinAsiaMinorandinvariouspartsoftheGreekempireinthesixthandseventhcenturies？WasitagoodthingtoconvertthechurchofSaintSophiaintoaSaracenicmosque，andthecityofthelaterChristianemperorsintothecapitaloftheTurks？IsaunitedSaracenicempirebetterthanadivided，wranglingChristianempire？
ButIwillnotenteruponthatdiscussion。Iconfinemyselftofacts。ItiscertainthatMohammedanism，bymeansofthesword，spreadwithmarvellousandunprecedentedrapidity。ThesuccessorsoftheProphetcarriedtheirconquestseventoIndia。NeithertheSyriansnortheEgyptianscouldcopewithmenwhofeltthatthesacrificeoflifeinbattlewouldsecureaneternityofbliss。ThearmiesoftheGreekemperormeltedawaybeforethegeneralsofthecaliph。TheCrosswanedbeforetheCrescent。ThebannersoftheMoslemsfloatedovertheproudestbattlementsofancientRomangrandeur。
InthefifthyearofthecaliphOmar，onlyseventeenyearsfromtheProphet’sflightfromMecca，theconquestofSyriawascompleted。
TheChristianswereforbiddentobuildchurches，orspeakopenlyoftheirreligion，orsitinthepresenceofaMohammedan，ortosellwine，orbeararms，orusethesaddleinriding，orhaveadomesticwhohadbeenintheMohammedanservice。TheutterprostrationofallcivilandreligiouslibertytookplaceintheoldscenesofChristiantriumph。Thiswasaninstanceinwhichpersecutionprovedsuccessful;andbecauseitwassuccessfulitisaproof，intheeyesofCarlyle，thatthepersecutingreligionwasthebetter，becauseitwasoutwardlythestronger。
TheconquestofEgyptrapidlyfollowedthatofSyria;andwiththefallofAlexandriaperishedthelargestlibraryoftheworld，thethesaurusofalltheintellectualtreasuresofantiquity。
ThenfollowedtheconquestofPersia。Asinglebattle，asinthetimeofAlexander，decideditsfate。Themarvelisthatthepeopleshouldhavechangedtheirreligion;butthen，itwasMohammedanismordeath。Andastillgreatermarvelitis，——anuttermysterytome，——whythatOrientalcountryshouldhavecontinuedfaithfultothenewreligion。Itmusthavehadsomeelementsofvitalityalmostworthfightingfor，andwhichwedonotcomprehend。
NordidSaracenicconquestsenduntiltheArabsofthedeserthadpenetratedsouthwardintoIndiafartherthanhadAlexandertheGreat，andwestwarduntiltheyhadsubduedthenorthernkingdomsofAfrica，andcarriedtheirarmstothePillarsofHercules;yea，tothecitiesoftheGothsinSpain，andwereonlyfinallyarrestedinEuropebytheheroismofCharlesMartel。
SuchweretherapidconquestsoftheSaracens——andpermanentconquestsalso——inAsiaandAfrica，underthestimulusofreligiousfanaticism，untiltheyhadreducedthirty-sixthousandcities，towns，andcastles，andbuiltfourteenthousandmosques。
NowwhatarethedeductionstobelogicallydrawnfromthesestupendousvictoriesandtheconsolidationofthevariousreligionsoftheconqueredintothecreedofMohammed，——notrepudiatedwhenthepressurewasremoved，butapparentlycherishedbyonehundredandeightymillionsofpeopleformorethanathousandyears？
WemusttakethegroundthatthereligionofMohammedhasmarvellousandpowerfultruths，whichwehaveoverlookedanddonotunderstand，whichappealtotheheartandconscience，andexciteagreatenthusiasm，——sogreatastostimulatesuccessivegenerationswithanalmostunexampledardor，andtodefendwhichtheywerereadytodie;areligionwhichhasbounddiversenationstogetherfornearlyfourteenhundredyears。Ifso，itcannotbeabused，orridiculed，orsneeredat，anymorethancanthedominionofthepopesintheMiddleAges，butremainsaugustinimpressivemysterytous，andeventofutureages。
Butif，incomparisonwithChristianity，itisacorruptandfalsereligion，asmanyassume，thenwhatdeductionsmustwedrawfromitsamazingtriumphs？ForthefactstaresusinthefacethatitisrooteddeeplyinalargepartoftheEasternworld，or，atleast，hasprevailedvictoriousformorethanathousandyears。
First，wemustconcludethattheexternaltriumphofareligion，especiallyamongignorantorwickedpeople，isnotsomuchowingtothepurityandloftinessofitstruths，astoitsharmonywithprevailingerrorsandcorruptions。WhenMohammedpreachedhissublimestdoctrines，andappealedtoreasonandconscience，heconvertedaboutascoreofpeopleinthirteenyears。Whenheinvokeddemoralizingpassions，heconvertedallArabiainelevenyears。Anddoesnotthisstartlingconclusionseemtobeconfirmedbythewholehistoryofmankind？HowslowtheprogressofChristianityfortwohundredyears，exceptwhenassistedbydirectsupernaturalinfluences！Howrapiditstriumphswhenitbecameadaptedtotherudebarbaricmind，ortothedegeneratepeopleoftheEmpire！Howpopularandprevalentandwidespreadarethosereligionswhichweareaccustomedtoregardasmostcorrupt！
BuddhismandBrahmanismhavehadmoreadherentsthanevenMohammedanism。HowdifficultitwasforMosesandtheprophetstokeeptheJewsfromidolatry！Whatcausedtherapideclipseoffaithintheantediluvianworld？WhycouldnotNoahestablishandperpetuatehisdoctrinesamonghisowndescendantsbeforehewasdead？WhywastheSocraticphilosophyunpopular？WhyweretheEpicureanssofashionable？WhywasChristianityitselfmosteagerlyembracedwhenitslightwasobscuredbyfablesandsuperstitions？WhydidtheRomanEmpireperish，withalltheaidofamagnificentcivilization;whydidthiscivilizationitselfretrograde;whydiditsartandliteraturedecline？WhydidthegrandtriumphsofProtestantismstopinhalfacenturyafterLutherdeliveredhismessage？Whatmadethemediaevalpopessopowerful？
WhatgavesuchascendencytotheJesuits？WhyisthesimplefaithoftheprimitiveChristianssoobnoxioustothewise，themighty，andthenoble？Whatmakesthemostinsidiousheresiessoacceptabletothelearned？Whyismodernliterature，whenfashionableandpopular，soantichristianinitstoneandspirit？
WhyhavenotthedoctrinesofLutherheldtheirowninGermany，andthoseofCalvininGeneva，andthoseofCranmerinEngland，andthoseofthePilgrimFathersinNewEngland？Isitbecause，asmenbecomeadvancedinlearningandculture，theyaretheologicallywiserthanMosesandAbrahamandIsaiah？
Idonotcitetherapiddeclineofmoderncivilizedsociety，inapoliticalorsocialview，inthemostfavoredsectionsofChristendom;Idonotsingdirgesoverrepublicaninstitutions;I
wouldnotcroakJeremiadsoverthechangesanddevelopmentsofmankind。IsimplyspeakofthemarvelloussimilaritywhichthespreadandtriumphofMohammedanismseemtobeartothespreadandtriumphofwhatiscorruptandwickedinallinstitutionsandreligionssincethefallofman。Everywhereitisthefrivolous，thecorrupt，thefalse，whichseemtobemostprevalentandmostpopular。Domenlovetruth，orreadilyacceptit，whenitconflictswithpassionsandinterests？Isanytruthpopularwhichisarrayedagainsttheprideofreason？Whenhaspuremoraltrutheverbeenfashionable？Whenhaveitsadvocatesnotbeenreviled，slandered，misrepresented，andpersecuted，ifithasinterferedwiththedominationofprevailinginterests？Thelowerthescaleofpleasuresthemoreeagerlyaretheysoughtbythegreatmassofthepeople，eveninChristiancommunities。Youcanbestmakecollegesthrivebyturningthemintoschoolsoftechnology，withaviewofadvancingutilitarianandmaterialinterests。Youcannotmakeanewspaperflourishunlessyoufillitwithpicturesandscandals，ormakeitavehicleofadvertisements，——whicharenotfrivolousorcorrupt，itistrue，butwhichhavetodowithmerelymaterialinterests。Yourlibrarieswouldneverbevisited，ifyoutookawaytheirtrash。YourSabbath-schoolbookswouldnotberead，unlessyoumadethemaninsulttothehumanunderstanding。
Yoursalonswouldbedeserted，ifyouentertainedyourguestswithinstructiveconversation。Therewouldbenofashionablegatherings，ifitwerenottodisplaydressesanddiamonds。Yourpulpitswouldbeunoccupied，ifyousoughttheprofoundestmentofillthem。
Everything，eveninChristiancommunities，showsthatvanitiesandfolliesandfalsehoodsarethemostsought，andthatnothingismorediscouragingthanappealstohighintelligenceorvirtue，eveninart。Thisistheuniformhistoryoftherace，everywhereandinallages。Isitdarknessorlightwhichtheworldloves？Ineverread，andIneverheard，ofagreatmanwithagreatmessagetodeliver，whowouldnothavesunkunderdisappointmentorchagrinbutforhisfaith。Everywheredoyouseethefascinationoferror，sothatitalmostseemstobeasvitalastruthitself。Whenandwherehavenotliesandsophistriesandhypocrisiesreigned？I
appealtohistory。Iappealtotheobservationandexperienceofeverythoughtfulandcandidmind。Youcannotgetaroundthistruth。ItblazesanditburnslikethefiresofSinai。Menlefttothemselveswillmoreandmoreretrogradeinvirtue。
What，then，isthehopeoftheworld？Wearedriventothisdeduction，——thatiftruthinitselfisnotall-conquering，thedivineassistance，givenattimestotruthitself，asintheearlyChurch，istheonlyreasonwhytruthconquers。Thisdivinegrace，promisedintheBible，haswroughtwonderswheneverithaspleasedtheAlmightytobestowit，andonlythen。Historyteachesthisasimpressivelyasrevelation。Christianityitself，unaided，wouldprobablydieoutinthisworld。Andhencethegrandconclusionis，thatitisthemysterious，or，assomecallit，thesuper-natural，spiritofAlmightypowerwhichis，afterall，thehighesthopeofthisworld。ThisisnotdiscrepantwiththeoldesttraditionsandtheogoniesoftheEast，——thehiddenwisdomofancientIndianandPersianandEgyptiansages，concealedfromthevulgar，butreallyembracedbytheprofoundestmen，beforecorruptionspervertedeventheirwisdom。ThiscertainlyistheearliestrevelationoftheBible。ThisisthepowerwhichMosesrecognized，andalltheprophetswhosucceededhim。ThisisthepowerwhichevenMohammed，intheloftinessofhiscontemplations，moredimlysaw，andimperfectlytaughttotheidolatersaroundhim，andwhichgivestohissystemallthatwasreallyvaluable。Asknotwhenandwherethispowershallbemosttrulyfelt。Itisaroundus，andaboveus，andbeneathus。Itisthemysteryandgrandeuroftheages。
“Itisnotbymightnorbypower，butbymyspirit。”saiththeLord;Manisnothing，hisaspirationsarenothing，theuniverseitselfisnothing，withouttheliving，permeatingforcewhichcomesfromthissupernalDeityweadore，tointerfereandsave。WithoutHisspecialagency，givingtoHistruthsvitality，thisworldwouldsoonbecomeahopelessandperpetualpandemonium。Takeawaythenecessityofthisdivineassistanceastheonegreatconditionofallprogress，aswellasthehighestboonwhichmortalsseek，——thenprayeritself，recognizedevenbyMohammedansastheloftiestaspirationandexpressionofadependentsoul，andregardedbyprophetsandapostlesandmartyrsastheirnoblestprivilege，becomesasuperstition，apuerility，amockery，andahopelessdream。
AUTHORITIES。
TheKoran;DeanPrideaux’sLifeofMohammed;ViedeMahomet，bytheComtedeBoulainvilliers;Gagnier’sLifeofMohammed;Ockley’sHistoryoftheSaracens;Gibbon，fiftiethchapter;Hallam’sMiddleAges;Milman’sLatinChristianity;Dr。Weil’sMohammedderProphet，seinLebenundseineLehre;Renan，RevuedesDeuxMondes，1851;Bustner’sPilgrimagetoElMedinaandMecca;LifeofMahomet，byWashingtonIrving;Essaisurl’HistoiredesArabes，parA。P。CaussindePerceval;Carlyle’sLecturesonHeroesandHeroWorship;E。A。Freeman’sLecturesontheHistoryoftheSararens;
Forster’sMahometanismUnveiled;MauriceontheReligionsoftheWorld;LifeandReligionofMohammed。，translatedfromthePersian，byRev。I。L。Merrick。
CHARLEMAGNE。
A。D。742-814。
REVIVALOFWESTERNEMPIRE。
ThemostillustriousmonarchoftheMiddleAgeswasdoubtlessCharlemagne。Certainlyhewasthefirstgreatstatesman，hero，andorganizerthatloomsuptoviewafterthedissolutionoftheRomanEmpire。ThereforeIpresenthimasonewithwhomisassociatedanepochincivilization。TohimwedatethefirstmemorablestepwhichEuropetookoutoftheanarchiesoftheMerovingianage。HisdreamwastorevivetheEmpirethathadfallen，hewasthefirsttolabor，withgiantstrength，torestorewhatviceandviolencehaddestroyed。Hedidnotsucceedinrealizingthegreatendstowhichheaspired，buthisaspirationswerelofty。Itwasnotinthepowerofanymantocivilizesemi-barbariansinasinglereign;butifheattemptedimpossibilitieshedidnotliveinvain，sincehebequeathedsomepermanentconquestsandsomegreattraditions。Heleftagreatlegacytocivilization。HislifehasnotdramaticinterestlikethatofHildebrand，norpoeticinterestlikethelivesoftheleadersoftheCrusades;butitisveryinstructive。
Hewastheprideofhisowngeneration，andtheboastofsucceedingages，“claimed。”saysSismondi，“bytheChurchasasaint，bytheFrenchasthegreatestoftheirkings，bytheGermansastheircountryman，andbytheItaliansastheiremperor。”
Hisremoteancestors，itissaid，wereecclesiasticalmagnates。
HisgrandfatherwasCharlesMartel，whogainedsuchsignalvictoriesovertheMohammedanSaracens;hisfatherwasPepin，whowasarenownedconqueror，andwhosubduedthesouthernpartofFrance，orGaul。Hedidnotrise，likeClovis，fromtheconditionofachieftainofatribeofbarbarians;nor，likethefounderofhisfamily，fromamayorofthepalace，orministeroftheMerovingiankings。Hisearlylifewasspentamidtheturmoilsanddangersofcamps，andasayoungmanhewasdistinguishedforprecocityoftalent，manlybeauty，andgiganticphysicalstrength。
Hewasatypeofchivalry，beforechivalryarose。Hewasborntogreatness，andearlysucceededtoagreatinheritance。Attheageoftwenty-six，intheyear768，hebecamethemonarchofthegreaterpartofmodernFrance，andofthoseprovinceswhichborderontheRhine。Byunweariedactivitiesthisinheritance，greaterthanthatofanyoftheMerovingiankings，wasnotonlykepttogetherandpreserved，butwasincreasedbysuccessiveconquests，untilnosogreatanempirehaseverbeenruledbyanyonemaninEurope，sincethefalloftheRomanEmpire，fromhisdaytoours。
YetgreaterthantheconquestsofCharlemagnewasthegreatnessofhischaracter。Hepreservedsimplicityandgentlenessamidallthedistractionsattendinghisgovernment。
HisreignaffordsastrikingcontrasttothatofallhispredecessorsoftheMerovingiandynasty，——whichreignedfromtheimmediatedestructionoftheRomanEmpire。TheMerovingianprinces，withtheexceptionofClovisandafewothers，weremerebarbarians，althoughconvertedtoanominalChristianity。Someofthemweremonsters，andotherswereidiots。Clotaireburnedtodeathhisownsonandwifeanddaughters。Fredegundearmedherassassinswithpoisoneddaggers。“ThirteensovereignsreignedovertheFranksinonehundredandfourteenyears，onlytwoofwhomattainedtoman’sestate，andnotonetothefulldevelopmentofintellectualpowers。Therewasscarcelyonewhodidnotliveinastateofperpetualintoxication，orwhodidnotrivalSardanapalusineffeminacy，andCommodusincruelty。”Asthesesovereignsweregoodchurchmen，theiriniquitieswereglossedoverbyGregoryofTours。InHISannalstheymaypassforsaints，buthistoryconsignsthemtoaninfamousimmortality。
ItisdifficulttoconceiveamoredrearyanddismalstateofsocietythanexistedinFrance，andinfactoverallEurope，whenCharlemagnebegantoreign。TheRomanEmpirewasinruins，exceptintheEast，wheretheGreekemperorsreignedatConstantinople。
Thewesternprovinceswereruledbyindependentbarbarickings。
Therewasnocentralauthority，althoughtherewasanattemptofthepopestoreviveit，——aspiritualratherthanatemporalpower;
atheocracywhosefoundationwassecuredbyLeotheGreatwhenheestablishedthejusdivinumprinciple，——thathewasthesuccessorofPeter，towhomweregiventhekeysofheavenandhell。IftherewasaninterestingfeatureinthetimesitwasthisspiritualauthorityexercisedbythebishopsofRome:themostusefulandbeneficentconsideringtheevilswhichprevailed，——thereignofbruteforce。Thebarbaricchieftainsyieldedapartialhomagetothisspiritualpower，anditwassomecheckontheirrapacityofviolence。Itismournfultothinkthatsolittleoftheancientcivilizationremainedintheeighthcentury。Itseclipsewastotal。TheshadowsofadarkandlongnightofsuperstitionandignorancespreadoverEurope。Lawwassilencedbythesword。
Justinian’sgloriouslegacywasalreadyforgotten。Theoldmechanismwhichhadkeptsocietytogetherinthefifthcenturywaswornout，broken，rejected。Therewasnoliterature，nophilosophy，nopoetry，nohistory，andnoart。Eventheclergyhadbecomeignorant，superstitious，andidle。Formshadtakentheplaceoffaith。NogreattheologianshadarisensinceSaintAugustine。Thepietyoftheagehiditselfinmonasteries;andthesemonasterieswereasfunerealassocietyitself。Mendespairedoftheworld，andretreatedfromittosingmournfulsongs。Thearchitectureoftheageexpressedthesentimentsoftheage，andwasheavy，gloomy，andmonotonous。“Thebarbariansruthlesslymarchedovertheruinsofcitiesandpalaces，havingnoregardforthetreasuresoftheclassicworld，andunmovedbythelessonsofitspastexperience。”Romeitself，repeatedlysacked，wasaheapofruins。Noreconstructionhadtakenplace。Gardensandvillaswereasdesolateastheruinedpalaces，whichweretheabodesofowlsandspiders。Theimmortalcreationsofthechiselwereusedtopropupoldcrumblingwalls。Thecostlymonumentsofsenatorialpridewerebrokentopiecesinsportorincaprice，andthosestructureswhichhadexcitedtheadmirationofageswerepulleddownthattheirmaterialmightbeusedinerectingtastelessedifices。Literaturesharedthegeneraldesolation。Thevaluedmanuscriptsofclassicalagesweremutilated，erased，orburned。
Ignorancefinishedthedestructionwhichthebarbariansbegan。
IgnoranceaswellasanarchyveiledEuropeindarkness。Therustofbarbarismbecameharderandthicker。Thelasthopeofmanhadfled，andglorywassucceededbyshame。Evenslavery，thecurseoftheRomanEmpire，wascontinuedbythebarbarians;only，bruteforcewasnotmadesubservienttointellect，butintellecttobruteforce。Thedescendantsofancientpatricianfamilieswereinbondagetobarbarians。Theagewasthejubileeofmonsters。
Assassinationwascommon，andwasunavengedbylaw。Everymanwashisownavengerofcrime，andhisbloodyweaponswerehisonlylaw。
NorwerethereseenamongthebarbaricchieftainsthevirtuesofancientPaganRomeandGreece，forChristianitywasnominal。Warwasuniversal;forthebarbarians，havingnolongertheRomanstofight，foughtamongthemselves。Therewereincessantirruptionsofdifferenttribespassingfromonecountrytoanother，insearchofplunderandpillage。Therewasnosecurityoflifeorproperty，andthereforenoambitionforacquisition。Menhidthemselvesinmorasses，inforests，onthetopsofinaccessiblehills，andamidtherecessesofvalleys，forviolencewastheruleandnottheexception。Evenfeudalismwasnotthenborn，andstilllesschivalry。Wefindnoelevatedsentiments。TheonlyrefugeforthemiserablewasintheChurch，anditwasgovernedbymenwhoshrankfromtheworld。Acryofdespairwentuptoheavenamongthedescendantsoftheoldpopulation。Therewasnocommerce，notravel，noindustries，nomoney，nopeace。ThechastisementofAlmightyPowerseemstohavebeensentontheoldracesandthenewalike。ItwasadesolationgreaterthanthatpredictedbyJeremytheprophet。Theveryendoftheworldseemedtobeathand。
Neverintheoldseatsofcivilizationwastheresuchadisintegration;neversuchacombinationofevilsandmiseries。
Andthereappearedtobenoremedy:nothingbutalongnightofhorrorsandsufferingscouldbepredicted。Gaul，orFrance，wasthesceneofturbulence，invasions，andanarchies;ofmurders，ofconflagrations，andofpillagebyrivalchieftains，whosoughttodivideitsterritoriesamongthemselves。Thepeoplewereutterlytroddendown。EnglandwasthebattlefieldofDanes，Saxons，andCelts，invadedperpetually，andsplitupintopettySaxonkingdoms。
Theroadswereinfestedwithrobbers，andagriculturewasrude。
Thepeoplelivedincabins，dressedthemselvesinskins，andfedonthecoarsestfood。SpainwasinvadedbySaracens，andtheGothickingdomssuccumbedtothesefierceinvaders。Italywasportionedoutamongdifferenttribes，GothicandSlavonic。ButtheprevailingracesinEuropewereGermanicwhohadconqueredboththeCeltsandtheRomans，theGothsinSpain，theFranksandBurgundiansinFrance，theLombardsinItaly，theSaxonsinEngland。
WhatacommentaryontheimperialgovernmentoftheCaesars！——thatgovernmentwhich，withallitsmechanismsandtraditions，lastedscarcelyfourhundredyears。Wasthereever，inthewholehistoryoftheworld，sosuddenandmournfulachangefromcivilizationtobarbarism，——andthisinspiteofart，science，law，andChristianityitself？WeretherenoconservativeforcesinthatimposingEmpire？Whydidsocietyconstantlydeclineforfourhundredyears，withthatcivilizationwhichwasitsboastandhope？
Oh，yeoptimists，whotalksogliblyaboutthenaturalandnecessaryprogressofhumanity，whywastheRomanEmpiresweptaway，withallitsmaterialglories，togiveplacetosuchastateofsocietyasIhavejustbrieflydescribed？
Andyetmenshouldariseinduetime，afterthepunishmentoffivecenturiesofcrimeandviolence，wretchednessanddespair，toreconstruct，notfromtheoldPaganmaterialsofGreeceandRome，butwiththefreshenergiesofnewraces，aidedandinspiredbythetruthsoftheeverlastinggospel。Theinfancyofthenewraces，sprunghoweverfromthesameoldAryanstock，passedintovigorousyouthwhenCharlemagneappeared。FromhimwedatethefirstdecidedimpulsegiventotheGothiccivilization。HewasthemorningstarofEuropeanhopesandaspirations。