bans, like coronets; their demeanor was grave and firm; their hair,
like that of women, was suffered to grow uncut; they were defended by the
cuirass or breast-plate; and in rushing to battle, their onset was like
that of chariots and many horses.

They had a king over them, named Abaddon in the Hebrew, and Apollyon in
the Greek, both of which signified the Destroyer. The Saracens
acknowledged the authority of Mohammed during the whole period of their
conquests; not only recognizing him as their prophet and king during his
lifetime, but his successors, after his death, considered and called
themselves Mohammed's _Caliphs_, or _Vicars_.

Their mission was not against the grass, green things, and trees, but had
express reference to the men who had _not_ the seal of God in their
foreheads. The antithesis here expressed, shows that by the former were
symbolized the servants of God, and that these locust-warriors were
particularly commissioned against infidels and apostates. Christians were
not to be molested; and provision was made for their protection, in the
circular letter which Abubekir sent to the Arabian tribes, A. D. 633. He
said:

" 'Remember, that you are always in the presence of God, on the
verge of death, in the assurance of judgment, and the hope of
paradise: avoid injustice and oppression; consult with your
brethren, and study to preserve the love and confidence of your
troops. When you fight the battles of the Lord, acquit yourselves
like men, without turning your backs; but let not your victory be
stained with the blood of women and children. Destroy _no
palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn_. Cut down no fruit-trees,
nor do any mischief to cattle, only such as you kill to eat. When
you make any covenant, or article, stand to it, and be as good as
your word. As you go on, you will find some _religious persons_
who live in retired monasteries, and propose to themselves to
serve God that way; let them alone, and neither kill them nor
destroy their monasteries; and you will find another sort of
people that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who have _shaven
crowns_; be sure you cleave their skulls, and give them no quarter
_till they either turn Mohammedans or pay tribute_.' "

At this epoch, the Greek church at Constantinople had been preserved from
the reproach of image worship, and still later it made strenuous efforts
against it; b