Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/60

54 Paradise. Mohametan paradise is nothing but an imaginary place of carnal gratifications. Nothing to do but to eat whatever you desire, which at once shall be created and brought before you; to drink wine and liquors which shall not disturb the mind; to enjoy the pleasure of numerous pearly damsels; to wear green silken robes which shall not wear out; to sit upon soft couches and talk with the friends you desire; to be served by blooming youths, and be happy by looking down and seeing the wretched condition of the Giaours in hell.

The Hell, as imaginary as the Heaven, is devided into seven stories; the first as a purgatory for Moslems, the second for Jews, the third for Christians, the fourth for Sabians, the fifth for Magians, the sixth for idolators, the seventh, and the lowest of all, for the hypocrites, who outwardly professed a religion but in reality had none. The essential means of torment are heat, cold, bitter foods and filthy drinks. The tree of Zakkum, which issues from the bottom of hell and the fruit of which resembles the heads of devils, is the only supply of food in hell with which the damned shall be obliged to fill their bellies, and being burnt of its bitterness shall cry for drink, when a mixture of filth and boiling sulphur shall be given unto them, which they shall be obliged to drink and vomit and begin the torment anew. When their skin is burned by the fire God will give them a new skin in order to perpetuate their torture. When they make complaint of heat they shall be exposed to extreme cold and vice versa.