derogatory insinuations and opprobrious epithets, does not all this cut us to
the quick, and make us cling the closer to those objects which are enshrined
in our affections? And must not similar language stir up similar feelings in
the Mussulman bosom? We all know what a strong principle nationality is, and
how easily it is wounded; now the Mohammedan's is a nationality of faith,
and is equally injured by opprobrious imputation against his religion. Their
prejudices are imbibed with their mother's milk, nourished in childhood by the
marvellous tales of their Prophet and their saints, and welded into an
impenetrable system by the constantly recurring ceremonies, which are
interwoven with their very existence. We must also bear in mind the
prescriptive hold which their religion has upon them. How many of our own
countrymen profess Christianity for no better reason than that it was the
religion of their forefathers ; and do we not ourselves feel how much comfort
and support are frequently derived from a reflection upon the numberless
learned and illustrious characters who have adorned the Christian faith? Now,
reverence for their cloud of witnesses and fathers must be no less an
overpowering consideration and a comfort and support with many, than it is
with us. The fact that Islam has not only stood for thirteen centuries, but
has expanded and progressed, and has seldom cowered before its present foe,
must be a strong and satisfactory reflection to our opponents. Again, we find
with them a religious nobility founded on the fact that Islam has been
the pure and unbroken creed of their, ancestors through a succession of
generations running up to the time of their Prophet. How deep-rooted must be
those feelings of pride, of high and ancient parentage inwrought with a faith
deemed by them so noble, so unparalleled; a faith which affords salvation
to all .mankind, and which reflects its glory and lustre upon them! If
anywhere we are to expect prejudice, anywhere to make allowance for it, surely
it must be here. Let all our arguments, then, be framed, all our expressions
selected, with these feelings and prejudices prominently in our view; let
there be no unnecessary wounding of the national feeling, no harsh
epithets, no irritating insinuations. We press this point with the greater
earnestness, because the provoking