Page:The Moslem World - Volume 02.djvu/22

 efficacy, becomes bewildered, and, strange to say, develops a respect for the despised Christian and a desire to hear from him truth which a moment previously he would have scorned.

But, says somebody, what can you say when they pose such an awkward question as " Do you believe in Mohammed? " My usual reply to that is in the words of the " prophet! " " ye who believe {i.e., in the Koran). Do not inquire respecting things which, if they be declared unto you, may give you pain "; and although they know full well what sinister suggestion lurks in the reply, they will usually accept it, since I have not said definitely what my feelings in the matter actually are any more than did the gentleman himself when he hedged an awkward question by the same means! Whereas, had I replied " No, I do not," they, however great their desire to hear more, would have felt obliged to rise and leave me. Sometimes they insist, but he who insists forfeits his right to sympathy; and although one naturally wishes to be gentle, it is not easy to answer such a question without hurting greviously. But during the years God has permitted me to work, I have not been pressed more than three or four times to exceed the " prophet's " repty.

Tunis.

A small volume recently issued in Osmanli Turkish at Constantinople illustrates the writer's view of the true Christian approach to devotees of Islam better than anything else. It is entitled " The Unique Person of Jesus Christ and His Relation to Mankind," and tries to hold up Jesus Christ before their eyes in His unique Personality, teaching, works and claims. This is the way to the Moslem heart. For his heart is very human, and in many cases is not at rest. The book is in three parts. The first part is a continuous narrative, gathered from the Four Gospels, of Jcs\is' life from His birth to His ascension into heaven. It occupies a hundred and eight pages, in seven chapters. About two-fifths of this is Scripture text. For the desire has been to put into a Turk's hands a book which can be intelligently