ith gold or silver handle. He wears a long beard which is
painted black. Following him is a procession of from fifty to one
hundred men, mostly mollah, or lower class, who are faithful Moslems.
Proceeding toward the mosque with slow and solemn tread, he is saluted
by the people of all classes along the street by their rising to their
feet, crossing the breast with the arms and reverently bowing before
him, uttering the words "Sallam ali-Kun Agha," which means "peace be
unto you, sir." This service occurs on holy Friday Sometimes 2,000 or
3,000 men will be gathered in the mosque. Women are not admitted in
these most holy and solemn services. The Muj-ta-hid stands in the front
part of the mosque, facing Mecca, and all the audience is back of him.
As he advances in the prayer all the people repeat what he prays. They
imitate every motion he makes. When he kneels, they kneel. When he puts
the end of his front fingers in his ears, the entire audience does the
same. They believe all prayers which are prayed in that way are
accepted through his mediatorial prayer.

[Illustration: PRIESTS AT WORSHIP.]

CHAPTER VIII.

MOSLEM'S PRIVATE PRAYER AND FASTING.

PRAYER.

Prayer carries the Musselman half way to heaven. There is no salvation
by grace or by atonement. Allah forgives his sins only on the condition
of good works. Hence it is an obligation with every one to pray. Prayer
is not a duty issuing from his love to Allah, but a yoke which binds
him against his will. It is reduced to a mechanical act without spirit.
The Moslem always washes with cold water before prayer. He will take a
jar of water and say, "Bism Allah" meaning, "in the name of God I do
this holy service." Then dipping his right hand in the water he rubs
his arms from the wrist to the elbow; with the tips of his fingers he
will wet his forehead and the inside of his ears, and the surface of
his feet. Travelers in the desert, use sand as a substitute for water.
The worshiper must have a seal of Mecca which is made of clay and is
about the size of a half-dollar. On it are the words, "There is no God
but God." Facing Mecca, he puts the seal on the ground and standing
erect he raises both hands to his head, kneels to the ground, puts his
brow on the seal, then kisses it. Rising to his feet he puts both index
fingers in his ears; and also makes numerous other gestures. They have
one prayer which is always repeated. They have five stated seasons
daily for p