independent tribes, mere floating atoms, into a compact body
politic, as well prepared and as eager to subdue the kingdoms of
the world to their rule and to their faith, as ever the Israelites
had been to conquer the land of Canaan.

* * * * *

"The Koran also enjoins repeatedly and in very emphatic language
the duty of showing kindness to the stranger and the orphan, and of
treating slaves, if converted to the faith, with the consideration
and respect due to believers. The duty even of mercy to the lower
animals is not forgotten, and it is to be thankfully acknowledged
that Mohammedanism as well as Buddhism shares with Christianity the
honour of having given birth to hospitals and asylums for the
insane and sick.

* * * * *

"The vices most prevalent in Arabia in the time of Mahomet which
are most sternly denounced and absolutely forbidden in the Koran
were drunkenness, unlimited concubinage and polygamy, the
destruction of female infants, reckless gambling, extortionate
usury, superstitious arts of divination and magic. The abolition of
some of these evil customs, and the mitigation of others, was a
great advance in the morality of the Arabs, and is a wonderful and
honourable testimony to the zeal and influence of the reformer. The
total suppression of female infanticide and of drunkenness is the
most signal triumph of his work."[136]

The reverend gentleman quoted above continues:

"First of all, it must be freely granted that to his own people
Mahomet was a great benefactor. He was born in a country where
political organization, and rational faith, and pure morals were
unknown. He introduced all three. By a single stroke of masterly
genius he simultaneously reformed the political condition, the
religious creed, and the moral practice of his countrymen. In the
place of many independent tribes he left a nation; for a
superstitious belief in gods many and lords many he established a
reasonable belief in one Almighty yet beneficent Being; taught men
to live under an abiding sense of this Being's superintending care,
to look to Him as the rewarder, and to fear Him as the punisher of
evil-doers. He vigorously attacked, and modified and suppressed
many gross and revolting customs which had p