Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/41

Rh mercy for their existence and some privileges (for which they have to pay tribute as a ransom fee); also the Christians are called "Rayah," pasture, for the flock of Moslem lambs.

They write "Ahmed, the son of Mohamet," to identify a Moslem, but "Peter, born of John," for Christians. This is simply to denounce Christian marriage as illegal. When mixed names are to be put on paper the eminent Christian's name must come after the name of a common Moslem's, the distinction of adjectives never being omitted.

The following official document of a certain Mahkemeh, legal court, given not very long ago in connection with the burial of a Christian priest, is among the properties of the said person, and reads as follows:

"From the estrayed sect of Nazarites the infidel Keshish, named—having been shriveled (dead), the official permission of our sacred Mahkemch was implored by his sect to put the corpse under the earth. Though the accursed carrion of the said wretch is not worthy to be placed under the sacred soil, which will refuse the admission of such an unclean thing, yet in order to prevent the stench of atmosphere by the hateful stink of the perished body, this official document is written and given as a permission for taking away the said filth to their assigned spot, and put it under the soil according to their vain ceremonies. May it stumble down to the infernal abyss."

The grave-stone of Christians is not allowed to stand erect, but must be prone, in token of their subjection to Mohametan rule.