AndProclus'sprayer，ontheotherhand，wastheoutcomeoftheNeoplatonists'metaphysic，theendofalltheirsearchaftertheOne，theIndivisible，theAbsolute，thiscrytoallmannerofinnumerablephantoms，ghostsofideas，ghostsoftraditions，neitherthingsnorpersons，butthoughts，togivethephilosophereachsomethingorother，accordingtothenatureofeach。Notthatheveryclearlydefineswhateachistogivehim；butstillhefeelshimselfinwantofallmannerofthings，anditisaswelltohaveasmanyfriendsatcourtaspossible——
　　NoeticGods，NoericGods，rulers，angels，daemons，heroes——toenablehimtodowhat？TounderstandPlato'smostmysticalandfar-seeingspeculations。TheEternalNous，theIntellectualTeacherhasvanishedfurtherandfurtheroff；furtheroffstillsomedimvisionofasupremeGoodness。InfinitespacesabovethatloomsthroughthemistoftheabyssaPrimaevalOne。Buteventhathasapredicate，foritisone；itisnotpureessence。Musttherenotbesomethingbeyondthatagain，whichisnotevenone，butisnameless，inconceivable，absolute？Whatanabyss!Howshallthehumanmindfindanythingwhereontorest，inthevastnowherebetweenitandtheobjectofitssearch？ThesearchaftertheOneissuesinawailtotheinnumerable；andkindgods，angels，andheroes，nothumanindeed，butstillconceivableenoughtosatisfyatleasttheimagination，stepintofillthevoid，astheyhavedonesince，andmaydoagain；andso，asMr。Carlylehasit，"thebottomlesspitgotroofedover，"asitmaybeagainerelong。
　　Arewethentosay，thatNeoplatonismwasafailure？ThatAlexandria，duringfourcenturiesofprofoundandearnestthought，addednothing？
　　HeavenforbidthatweshouldsaysoofaphilosophywhichhasexercisedonEuropeanthought，atthecrisisofitsnoblestlifeandaction，aninfluenceasgreatasdidtheAristoteliansystemduringtheMiddleAges。Wemustneverforget，thatduringthetwocenturieswhichcommencewiththefallofConstantinople，andendwithourcivilwars，notmerelyalmostallgreatthinkers，butcourtiers，statesmen，warriors，poets，weremoreorlessNeoplatonists。TheGreekgrammarians，whomigratedintoItaly，broughtwiththemtheworksofPlotinus，Iamblichus，andProclus；andtheirgorgeousreverieswerewelcomedeagerlybytheEuropeanmind，justrevellinginthefreethoughtofyouthfulmanhood。AndyettheAlexandrianimpotenceforanypracticalandsocialpurposeswastobemanifested，asutterlyasitwasinAlexandriaorinAthensofold。
　　FicinusandPicusofMirandolaworkednodeliverance，eitherforItalianmoralsorpolity，atatimewhensuchdeliverancewasneededbitterlyenough。Neoplatonismwaspettedbyluxuriousandheathenpopes，asanelegantplayofthecultivatedfancy，whichcoulddotheirrealpower，theirpracticalsystem，neithergoodnorharm。Andonecannothelpfeeling，whilereadingthemagnificentorationonSupra-sensualLove，whichCastiglione，inhisadmirablebook"TheCourtier，"putsintothemouthoftheprofligateBembo，hownearmysticismmaylienotmerelytodilettantismortoPharisaism，buttosensualityitself。ButinEngland，duringElizabeth'sreign，thepracticalweaknessofNeoplatonismwascompensatedbythenoblepracticallifewhichmenwerecompelledtoliveinthosegreattimes；bythestrongholdwhichtheyhadoftheideasoffamilyandnationallife，oflawandpersonalfaith。
　　AndIcannotbutbelieveittohavebeenamightygaintosuchmenasSidney，Raleigh，andSpenser，thattheyhaddrunk，howeverslightly，ofthewellsofProclusandPlotinus。OnecannotreadSpenser's"FairyQueen，"aboveallhisGardenofAdonis，andhiscantosonMutability，withoutfeelingthathisNeoplatonismmusthavekepthimsafefrommanyadarkeschatologicalsuperstition，manyanarrowandbitterdogmatism，whichwaseventhentormentingtheEnglishmind，andmusthavehelpedtogivehimaltogetherafreerandmorelovingconception，ifnotaconsistentoraccurateone，ofthewondrousharmonyofthatmysteriousanalogybetweenthephysicalandthespiritual，whichalonemakespoetryandIhadalmostsaidphilosophyalsopossible，andhavetaughthimtobeholdalikeinsunsandplanets，inflowersandinsects，inmanandinbeingshigherthanman，onegloriousorderofloveandwisdom，linkingthemalltoHimfromwhomtheyallproceed，raysfromHiscloudlesssunlight，mirrorsofHiseternalglory。
　　ButastheElizabethanage，exhaustedbyitsownfertility，gaveplacetotheCaroline，Neoplatonismranthroughmuchthesamechanges。Itwasgoodforus，afterall，thattheplainstrengthofthePuritans，unphilosophicalastheywere，sweptitaway。OnefeelsinreadingthelaterNeoplatonists，HenryMore，Smith，evenCudworthvaluableasheis，thattheoldaccurseddistinctionbetweenthephilosopher，thescholar，theilluminate，andtheplainrighteousman，wasgrowingupagainveryfast。Theschoolfromwhichthe"ReligioMedici"issuedwasnotlikelytomakeanybadmengood，oranyfoolishmenwise。
　　Besides，aslongasmenwerecontinuingtoquotepooroldProclusasanirrefragableauthority，andbelievingthathe，forsooth，representedthesenseofPlato，thenew-bornBaconianphilosophyhadbutlittlechanceintheworld。BaconhadbeenrightinhisdislikeofPlatonismyearsbefore，thoughhewasunjusttoPlatohimself。ItwasProcluswhomhewasreallyreviling；ProclusasPlato'scommentatorandrepresentative。
　　Thelionhadforoncegotintotheass'sskin，andwastreatedaccordingly。ThetruePlatonicmethod，thatdialecticwhichtheAlexandriansgraduallyabandoned，remainsyettobetried，bothinEnglandandinGermany；andIammuchmistaken，if，whenfairlyused，itbenotfoundtheally，nottheenemy，oftheBaconianphilosophy；infact，theinductivemethodappliedtowords，astheexpressionsofMetaphysicLaws，insteadoftonaturalphenomena，astheexpressionsofPhysicalones。Ifyouwishtoseethehighestinstancesofthismethod，readPlatohimself，notProclus。IfyouwishtoseehowthesamemethodcanbeappliedtoChristiantruth，readthedialecticpassagesinAugustine's"Confessions。"Whetherornotyoushallagreewiththeirconclusions，youwillnotbelikely，ifyouhaveatrulyscientifichabitofmind，tocomplainthattheywanteitherprofundity，severity，orsimplicity。
　　SoconcludesthehistoryofoneoftheAlexandrianschoolsofMetaphysic。WhatwasthefateoftheotherisasubjectwhichImustpostponetomynextLecture。
　　LECTUREIV——THECROSSANDTHECRESCENT
　　Itriedtopointout，inmylastLecture，thecauseswhichledtothedecayofthePaganmetaphysicofAlexandria。WehavenowtoconsiderthefateoftheChristianschool。
　　YoumayhaveremarkedthatIhavesaidlittleornothingaboutthepositivedogmasofClement，Origen，andtheirdisciples；buthaveonlybroughtouttheespecialpointsofdeparturebetweenthemandtheHeathens。Myreasonforsodoingwastwofold:first，Icouldnothaveexaminedthemwithoutenteringoncontroversialground；next，Iamverydesiroustoexcitesomeofmyhearers，atleast，toexaminethesequestionsforthemselves。
　　Ientreatthemnottolistentothehastysneertowhichmanyoflatehavegivenway，thattheAlexandriandivinesweremeremystics，whocorruptedChristianitybyanadmixtureofOrientalandGreekthought。
　　MyownbeliefisthattheyexpandedandcorroboratedChristianity，inspiteofgreaterrorsanddefectsoncertainpoints，farmorethantheycorruptedit；thattheypresentedittothemindsofcultivatedandscientificmenintheonlyforminwhichitwouldhavesatisfiedtheirphilosophicaspirations，andyetcontrived，withwonderfulwisdom，togroundtheirphilosophyontheverysametruthswhichtheytaughttothemeanestslaves，andtoappealinthephilosopherstothesameinwardfacultytowhichtheyappealedintheslave；namely，tothatinwardeye，thatmoralsenseandreason，wherebyeachandeverymancan，ifhewill，"judgeofhimselfthatwhichisright。"IboldlysaythatIbelievetheAlexandrianChristianstohavemadethebest，perhapstheonly，attemptyetmadebymen，toproclaimatrueworld-philosophy；wherebyImeanaphilosophycommontoallraces，ranks，andintellects，embracingthewholephenomenaofhumanity，andnotanarbitrarilysmallportionofthem，andcapableofbeingunderstoodandappreciatedbyeveryhumanbeingfromthehighesttothelowest。
　　Andwhenyouhearofasystemofreserveinteaching，adisciplinaarcani，ofanesotericandexoteric，aninnerandouterschool，amongthesemen，youmustnotbefrightenedatthewords，asiftheyspokeofpriestcraft，oranintellectualaristocracy，whokeptthekernelofthenutforthemselves，andgavethehuskstothemob。ItwasnotsowiththeChristianschools；itwassowiththeHeathenones。TheHeathenswerecontentthatthemob，theherd，shouldhavethehusks。Theiravowedintentionandwishwastoleavetheherd，astheycalledthem，inthemereoutwardobservanceoftheoldidolatries，whiletheythemselves，thecultivatedphilosophers，hadthemonopolyofthosedeeperspiritualtruthswhichwerecontainedundertheoldsuperstitions，andweretoosacredtobeprofanedbythevulgareyes。TheChristianmethodwastheexactopposite。Theyboldlycalledthosevulgareyestoenterintotheveryholyofholies，andtheregazeontheverydeepestroot-ideasoftheirphilosophy。Theyownednogroundfortheirownspeculationswhichwasnotcommontotheharlotsandtheslavesaround。Andthiswaswhatenabledthemtodothis；
　　thiswaswhatbroughtonthemthechargeofdemagogism，thehatredofphilosophers，thepersecutionofprinces——thattheirgroundwasamoralground，andnotamerelyintellectualone；thattheystarted，notfromanynotionsoftheunderstanding，butfromtheinwardconscience，thattrulypureReasoninwhichtheintellectualandthemoralspheresareunited，whichtheybelievedtoexist，howeverdimmedorcrushed，ineveryhumanbeing，capableofbeingawakened，purified，andraiseduptoanobleandheroiclife。Theyconcealednothingmoralfromtheirdisciples:onlytheyforbadethemtomeddlewithintellectualmatters，beforetheyhadhadaregularintellectualtraining。Thewitnessesofreasonandconscienceweresufficientguidesforallmen，andatthemthemanymightwellstopshort。Theteacheronlyneededtoproceedfurther，notintoahigherregion，butintoalowerone，namely，intotheregionofthelogicalunderstanding，andtheremakedeductionsfrom，andillustrationsof，thosehighertruthswhichheheldincommonwitheveryslave，andheldonthesamegroundasthey。
　　Andtheconsequenceofthismethodofphilosophisingwaspatent。Theywereenabledtoproduce，inthelivesofmillions，generationaftergeneration，amoreimmensemoralimprovementthantheworldhadeverseenbefore。Theirdisciplesdidactuallybecomerighteousandgoodmen，justinproportionastheyweretruetothelessonstheylearnt。
　　Theydid，forcenturies，workadistinctandpalpabledeliveranceontheearth；whileallthesolemnandearnestmeditationoftheNeoplatonists，howevergoodortrue，workednodeliverancewhatsoever。Plotinuslongedatonetimetomakeapracticalattempt。HeaskedtheEmperorGallienus，hispatron，torebuildforhimacityinCampania；toallowhimtocallitPlatonopolis，andputitintothehandsofhimandhisdisciples，thattheymightthererealisePlato'sidealrepublic。
　　LuckilyforthereputationofNeoplatonism，theschemewasswampedbythecourtiersofGallienus，andtheearthwassavedthesadandludicroussightofarealisedLaputa；probablyaveryquarrelsomeone。
　　Thatwashishighestpracticalconception:thefoundationofanewsociety:nottheregenerationofsocietyasitexisted。
　　ThatworkwasleftfortheChristianschools；anduptoacertainpointtheyperformedit。Theymademengood。Thiswasthetest，whichoftheschoolswasintheright:thiswasthetest，whichofthetwohadholdoftheeternalrootsofmetaphysic。Cicerosays，thathehadlearntmorephilosophyfromtheLawsoftheTwelveTablesthanfromalltheGreeks。ClementandhisschoolmighthavesaidthesameoftheHebrewTenCommandmentsandJewishLaw，whicharesomarvellouslyanalogoustotheoldRomanlaws，founded，astheyare，onthebeliefinaSupremeBeing，aJupiter——literallyaHeavenlyFather——whoisthesourceandthesanctionoflaw；ofwhosejusticeman'sjusticeisthepattern；whoistheavengerofcrimesagainstmarriage，property，life；onwhomdependsthesanctityofanoath。Andso，tocomparegreatthingswithsmall，therewasatrulypracticalhumanelementhereintheChristianteaching；purelyethicalandmetaphysical，andyetpalpabletothesimplestandlowest，whichgavetoitaregeneratingforcewhichthehighesteffortsofNeoplatonismcouldneverattain。
　　AndyetAlexandrianChristianity，notoriouslyenough，rottedaway，andperishedhideously。Mosttrue。Butwhatifthecausesofitsdecayanddeathwereowingtoitsbeinguntruetoitself？
　　Idonotsaythattheyhadnoexcusesforbeinguntruetotheirownfaith。Wearenotheretojudgethem。Thatpeculiarsubtletyofmind，whichrenderedtheAlexandriansthegreatthinkersofthethenworld，hadwithChristians，aswellasHeathens，theeffectofalluringthemawayfrompracticetospeculation。TheChristianschool，aswastobeexpectedfromthemoralgroundoftheirphilosophy，yieldedtoitfarmoreslowlythantheHeathen，buttheydidyield，andespeciallyaftertheyhadconqueredandexpelledtheHeathenschool。Moreover，thelongbattlewiththeHeathenschoolhadstirredupinthemhabitsofexclusiveness，ofdenunciation；thespiritwhichcannotassertafact，withoutdogmatisingrashlyandharshlyontheconsequencesofdenyingthatfact。Theirmindsassumedapermanenthabitofcombativeness。
　　HavingnomoreHeathenstofight，theybeganfightingeachother，excommunicatingeachother；denyingtoallwhodifferedfromthemanyshareofthatlight，toclaimwhichforallmenhadbeentheverygroundoftheirphilosophy。NotthattheywouldhaverefusedtheLogostoallmeninwords。TheywouldhavecursedamanfordenyingtheexistenceoftheLogosineveryman；buttheywouldhaveequallycursedhimforactingonhisexistenceinpractice，andtreatingthehereticasonewhohadthatwithinhimtowhichapreachermightappeal。ThustheybecameDogmatists；thatis，menwhoassertatruthsofiercely，astoforgetthatatruthismeanttobeused，andnotmerelyasserted——if，indeed，thefierceassertionofatruthinfrailmanisnotgenerallyasignofsomesecretdoubtofit，andininverseproportiontohispracticallivingfaithinit:justashewhoisalwaystellingyouthatheisaman，isnotthemostlikelytobehavelikeaman。Andwhydidthisbefallthem？BecausetheyforgotpracticallythatthelightproceededfromaPerson。TheycouldargueovernotionsanddogmasdeducedfromthenotionofHispersonality:buttheywereshutupinthosenotions；
　　theyhadforgottenthatifHewasaPerson，Hiseyewasonthem，Hisruleandkingdomwithinthem；andthatifHewasaPerson，Hehadacharacter，andthatthatcharacterwasarighteousandalovingcharacter:andthereforetheywerenotashamed，indefendingthesenotionsanddogmasaboutHim，tocommitactsabhorrenttoHischaracter，tolie，toslander，tointrigue，tohate，eventomurder，forthesakeofwhattheymadlycalledHisglory:butwhichwasreallyonlytheirownglory——thegloryoftheirowndogmas；ofpropositionsandconclusionsintheirownbrain，which，trueorfalse，wereequallyhereticalintheirmouths，becausetheyusedthemonlyaswatchwordsofdivision。Orthodoxorunorthodox，theylosttheknowledgeofGod，fortheylosttheknowledgeofrighteousness，andlove，andpeace。ThatDivineLogos，andtheologyasawhole，recededfurtherandfurtheraloftintoabysmalheights，asitbecameameredrearysystemofdeadscientificterms，havingnopracticalbearingontheirheartsandlives；
　　andthenthey，astheNeoplatonistshaddonebeforethem，filledupthevoidbythosedaemonologies，images，baseFetishworships，whichmadetheMohammedaninvadersregardthem，andIbelievejustly，aspolytheistsandidolaters，baseasthepaganArabsofthedesert。
　　Icannotbutbelievethem，moreover，tohavebeenuntruetotheteachingofClementandhisschool，inthatcoarseandmaterialistadmirationofcelibacywhichruinedAlexandriansociety，astheirdogmaticferocityruinedAlexandrianthought。TheCreedwhichtaughtthemthatinthepersonoftheIncarnateLogos，thatwhichwasmostdivinehadbeenprovedtobemosthuman，thatwhichwasmosthumanhadbeenprovedtobemostdivine，oughtsurelytohavegiventothem，asithasgiventomodernEurope，nobler，clearer，simplerviewsofthetruerelationofthesexes。However，onthismattertheydidnotseetheirway。
　　Perhaps，insodebasedanage，soprofligateaworld，asthatoutofwhichChristianityhadrisen，itwasimpossibletoseethetruebeautyandsanctityofthoseprimarybondsofhumanity。Andwhiletherelationofthesexeswaslookedoninawronglight，allothersocialrelationswerenecessarilyalsomisconceived。"Theveryideasoffamilyandnationallife，"asithasbeensaid，"thosetwodivinerootsoftheChurch，severedfromwhichsheiscertaintowitherawayintothatmostcruelandmostgodlessofspectres，areligiousworld，hadperishedintheEast，fromtheevilinfluenceoftheuniversalpracticeofslave-
　　holding，aswellasfromthedegradationofthatJewishnationwhichhadbeenforagesthegreatwitnessfortheseideas；andallclasses，liketheirforefatherAdam——like，indeed，theOldAdam——theselfish，cowardly，brutenatureineverymanandineveryage——wereshiftingtheblameofsinfromtheirownconsciencestohumanrelationshipsandduties，andtherein，totheGodwhohadappointedthem；andsaying，asofold，'ThewomanwhomThougavesttobewithme，shegavemeofthetree，andIdideat。'"
　　MuchasChristianitydid，eveninEgypt，forwoman，byassertinghermoralandspiritualequalitywiththeman，thereseemstohavebeennosuspicionthatshewasthetruecomplementoftheman，notmerelybysofteninghim，butbystrengtheninghim；thattruemanhoodcanbenomoredevelopedwithouttheinfluenceofthewoman，thantruewomanhoodwithouttheinfluenceoftheman。ThereisnotraceamongtheEgyptiancelibatesofthatchivalrouswoman-worshipwhichourGothicforefathersbroughtwiththemintotheWest，whichshedasofteningandennoblinglightroundthemediaevalconventlife，andwardedoffforcenturiestheworsteffectsofmonasticism。AmongthereligiousofEgypt，themonkregardedthenun，thenunthemonk，withdreadandaversion；whilebothlookedonthemarriedpopulationoftheoppositesexwithacoarsecontemptanddisgustwhichishardlycredible，didnotthefoulrecordsofitstandwrittentothisday，inRosweyde'sextraordinary"VitaePatrumEremiticorum；"nobarrenschoolofmetaphysic，truly，forthosewhoarephilosophicenoughtobelievethatallphenomenawhatsoeverofthehumanmindareworthymatterforscientificinduction。
　　AndthusgrewupinEgyptamonasticworld，ofsuchvastnessthatitwassaidtoequalinnumberthelaity。Thisproduced，nodoubt，anenormousincreaseintheactualamountofmoralevil。Butitproducedthreeothereffects，whichweretheruinofAlexandria。First，acontinuallygrowingenervationandnumericaldecreaseofthepopulation；next，acarelessnessof，andcontemptforsocialandpoliticallife；andlastly，amostbrutalisingeffectonthelaypopulation；who，toldthattheywere，andbelievingthemselvestobe，beingsofalowerorder，andlivingbyalowerstandard，sankdownmoreandmoregenerationaftergeneration。Theywereoftheworld，andthewaysoftheworldtheymustfollow。
　　Politicallifehadnoinherentsanctityornobleness；whyactholilyandnoblyinit？Familylifehadnoinherentsanctityornobleness；whyactholilyandnoblyiniteither，iftherewerenoholy，noble，anddivineprincipleorgroundforit？Andthusgrewup，bothinEgypt，Syria，andByzantium，achaosofprofligacyandchicanery，inrulersandpeople，inthehomeandthemarket，inthetheatreandthesenate，suchastheworldhasrarelyseenbeforeorsince；achaoswhichreacheditsculminationintheseventhcentury，theageofJustinianandTheodora，perhapsthetwomosthideoussovereigns，worshippedbythemosthideousempireofparasitesandhypocrites，cowardsandwantons，thateverinsultedthelong-sufferingofarighteousGod。
　　But，forAlexandriaatleast，thecupwasnowfull。Intheyear640theAlexandriansweretearingeachotherinpiecesaboutsomeJacobiteandMelchitecontroversy，tomeincomprehensible，toyouunimportant，becausethefightersonbothsidesseemtohavelostasallpartiesdointheiroldagetheknowledgeofwhattheywerefightingfor，andtohavesobewilderedthequestionwithpersonalintrigues，spites，andquarrels，astomakeitnearlyasenigmaticasthatfamouscontemporarywarbetweentheblueandgreenfactionsatConstantinople，whichbeganbybackinginthetheatre，thecharioteerswhodroveinbluedresses，againstthosewilddroveingreen；thenwentontoidentifythemselveseachwithoneoftheprevailingtheologicalfactions；graduallydeveloped，theoneintoanaristocratic，theotherintoademocratic，religiousparty；andendedbyacivilwarinthestreetsofConstantinople，accompaniedbythemosthorribleexcesses，whichhadnearly，atonetime，givenupthecitytotheflames，anddrivenJustinianfromhisthrone。
　　InthemidstoftheseJacobiteandMelchitecontroversiesandriots，appearedbeforethecitythearmiesofcertainwildandunletteredArabtribes。Ashortandfruitlessstrugglefollowed；and，strangetosay，afewmonthssweptawayfromthefaceoftheearth，notonlythewealth，thecommerce，thecastles，andtheliberty，butthephilosophyandtheChristianityofAlexandria；crushedtopowderbyonefearfulblow，allthathadbeenbuiltupbyAlexanderandthePtolemies，byClementandthephilosophers，andmadevoid，toallappearance，ninehundredyearsofhumantoil。Thepeople，havingnorealholdontheirhereditaryCreed，accepted，bytensofthousands，thatoftheMussulmaninvaders。
　　TheChristianremnantbecametributaries；andAlexandriadwindled，fromthattimeforth，intoapettyseaporttown。
　　Andnow——canwepassoverthisnewmetaphysicalschoolofAlexandria？
　　CanwehelpinquiringinwhatthestrengthofIslamismlay？I，atleast，cannot。IcannothelpfeelingthatIamboundtoexamineinwhatrelationthecreedofOmarandAmroustandstotheAlexandrianspeculationsoffivehundredyears，andhowithadpowertosweepthosespeculationsutterlyfromtheEasternmind。Itisadifficultproblem；
　　tome，asaChristianpriest，averyawfulproblem。Whatmoreawfulhistoricproblem，thantoseethelowercreeddestroyingthehigher？toseeGod，asitwere，undoinghisownwork，andrepentingHimthatHehadmademan？Awfulindeed:butIcanhonestlysay，thatitisonefromtheinvestigationofwhichIhavelearnt——Icannotyettellhowmuch:
　　andofthisIamsure，thatwithoutthatoldAlexandrianphilosophy，I
　　shouldnothavebeenabletodojusticetoIslam；withoutIslamIshouldnothavebeenabletofindinthatAlexandrianphilosophy，anever-
　　livingandpracticalelement。
　　Imust，however，firstentreatyoutodismissfromyourmindsthevulgarnotionthatMohammedwasinanywiseabadman，oraconsciousdeceiver，pretendingtoworkmiracles，ortodothingswhichhedidnotdo。Hesinnedinoneinstance:but，asfarasIcansee，onlyinthatone——I
　　meanagainstwhathemusthaveknowntoberight。Ialludetohisrelaxinginhisowncasethosewiserestrictionsonpolygamywhichhehadproclaimed。Andyet，eveninthiscase，thedesireforachildmayhavebeenthetruecauseofhisweakness。Hedidnotseethewholetruth，ofcourse:buthewasaninfinitelybettermanthanthemenaround:perhaps，allinall，oneofthebestmenofhisday。ManyheremayhavereadMr。Carlyle'svindicationofMohammedinhisLecturesonHeroWorship；tothosewhohavenot，Ishallonlysay，thatIentreatthemtodoso；andthatIassurethem，thatthoughIdifferinmanythingsutterlyfromMr。Carlyle'sinferencesanddeductionsinthatlecture，yetthatIamconvinced，frommyownacquaintancewiththeoriginalfactsanddocuments，thatthepicturetheredrawnofMohammedisatrueandajustdescriptionofamuch-calumniatedman。
　　Now，whatwasthestrengthofIslam？Thecommonansweris，fanaticismandenthusiasm。TosuchanswersIcanonlyrejoin:Suchtermsmustbedefinedbeforetheyareused，andwemustbetoldwhatfanaticismandenthusiasmare。TillthenIhavenomoreepriorirespectforalongwordendingin-ismor-asmthanIhaveforoneendingin-ationor-
　　ality。Butwhilefanaticismandenthusiasmarebeingdefined——aworkmoredifficultthaniscommonlyfancied——wewillgoontoconsideranotheranswer。WearetoldthatthestrengthofIslamlayinthehopeoftheirsensuousParadiseandfearoftheirsensuousGehenna。Ifso，thisisthefirstandlasttimeintheworld'shistorythatthestrengthofanylargebodyofpeople——perhapsofanysingleman——layinsuchahope。Historygivesusinnumerableproofsthatsuchmerelyselfishmotivesaretheparentsofslavishimpotence，ofpedantryandconceit，ofpiousfrauds，oftenofthemostdevilishcruelty:but，asfarasmyreadingextends，ofnothingbetter。Moreover，theChristianGreekshadmuchthesamehopesonthosepointsastheMussulmans；andsimilarcausesshouldproducesimilareffects:butthosehopesgavethemnostrength。Besides，accordingtotheMussulmans'ownaccount，thiswasnottheirgreatinspiringidea；anditisabsurdtoconsiderthewildbattle-criesofafewimaginativeyouths，aboutblack-eyedandgreen-
　　kerchiefedHouriscallingtothemfromtheskies，asrepresentingtheaveragefeelingsofagenerationofsoberandself-restrainingmen，whoshowedthemselvesactuatedbyfarhighermotives。
　　Anotheranswer，andoneverypopularnow，isthattheMussulmanswerestrong，becausetheybelievedwhattheysaid；andtheGreeksweak，becausetheydidnotbelievewhattheysaid。FromthisnotionIshallappealtoanotherdoctrineoftheverysamemenwhoputitforth，andaskthem，Cananymanbestrongbybelievingalie？Haveyounottoldus，noblyenough，thateverylieisbyitsnaturerotten，doomedtodeath，certaintoproveitsownimpotence，andbeshatteredtoatomsthemomentyoutrytouseit，tobringitintorudeactualcontactwithfact，andNature，andtheeternallaws？Faithtobestrongmustbefaithinsomethingwhichisnotone'sself；faithinsomethingeternal，somethingobjective，somethingtrue，whichwouldexistjustasmuchthoughweandalltheworlddisbelievedit。Thestrengthofbeliefcomesfromthatwhichisbelievedin；ifyouseparateitfromthat，itbecomesamereself-opinion，asensationofpositiveness；andwhatsortofstrengththatwillgive，historywilltellusinthetragediesoftheJewswhoopposedTitus，oftherabblewhofollowedWalterthePennilesstotheCrusades，oftheMunsterAnabaptists，andmanyanothersadpageofhumanfolly。Itmaygivethefuryofidiots；notthedeliberatemightofvaliantmen。Letuspassthisby，then；believingthatfaithcanonlygivestrengthwhereitisfaithinsomethingtrueandright:
　　andgoontoanotheransweralmostaspopularasthelast。
　　WearetoldthatthemightofIslamlayinacertaininnateforceandsavagevirtueoftheArabcharacter。IfwehavediscoveredthisinthefollowersofMohammed，theycertainlyhadnotdiscovereditinthemselves。Theyspokeofthemselves，rightlyorwrongly，asmenwhohadreceivedadivinelight，andthatlightamorallight，toteachthemtolovethatwhichwasgood，andrefusethatwhichwasevil；andtothatdivinelighttheystedfastlyandhonestlyattributedeveryrightactionoftheirlives。Mostnobleandaffecting，inmyeyes，isthatanswerofSaad'sagedenvoytoYezdegird，kingofPersia，whenhereproachedhimwiththepastsavageryandpovertyoftheArabs。"Whatsoeverthouhastsaid，"answeredtheoldman，"regardingtheformerconditionoftheArabsistrue。Theirfoodwasgreenlizards；theyburiedtheirinfantdaughtersalive；nay，someofthemfeastedondeadcarcases，anddrankblood；whileothersslewtheirkinsfolk，andthoughtthemselvesgreatandvaliant，whenbysodoingtheybecamepossessedofmoreproperty。
　　Theywereclothedwithhairgarments，theyknewnotgoodfromevil，andmadenodistinctionbetweenthatwhichwaslawfulandunlawful。Suchwasourstate；butGodinhismercyhassentus，byaholyprophet，asacredvolume，whichteachesusthetruefaith。"
　　Thesewords，Ithink，showusthesecretofIslam。TheyareajustcommentonthatshortandruggedchapteroftheKoranwhichissaidtohavebeenMohammed'sfirstattempteitheratprophecyorwriting；when，afterlongfastingandmeditationamongthedeserthills，underthegloriouseasternstars，hecamedownandtoldhisgoodKadijahthathehadfoundagreatthing，andthatshemusthelphimtowriteitdown。