Page:The Faith as Unfolded by Many Prophets.djvu/128

 flesh of beasts, and who know not even the names of pomegranates, and grapes, and figs; — what are to them the fruits of paradise? If, as your Prophet supposed, his religion should spread among the inhabitants of these lands, the paradise he describes would not be tempting to them. Again, men who ardently seek after knowledge are indifferent about the ease of their couches and the splendor of their dwellings, and despise the sports in which the ignorant please themselves. — Yet again, men who love holiness above all things, turn from the delights of the eye and the ear, unless so far as these delights nourish the soul. Such men look for purer enjoyments on high than the body can receive; and not only hope to behold the face of God themselves, but that none of their companions shall be satisfied with a bliss less pure. Such regard with disgust the paradise of Mohammed.

Havilah replied, My friend has now spoken many of my own thoughts: but while there are eaters and drinkers in the world, may it not be well to persuade them to become devout, by promising the rewards which will please them most? Is not this the reason why the Book