Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 198 (Color Image)

0198	Among the Celestials : vol.1

162 AMONG THE CELESTIALS. [CHAP. VII.

more nor less than a Mohammedan Missionary,

and I marked with interest the effect he

produced upon those around him. Simply

dressed, but with a natural dignity in his

appearance which instinctively commanded re-

spect ; intensely earnest, and with an evident

reserve of fiery force behind, this pilgrim from

Mohammed's native land could sway the people

whither he would. Asiatics are naturally

eloquent, and a man like this, who passed

his life in discoursing at the mosques, and in

exchanging ideas with men of many different

countries, and who, moreover, bore with him

all the prestige which surrounds a dweller in

the Holy City, could make the staring Turkis

round him believe and do what he liked.

Never, indeed, have I been more impressed

with the influence which Mohammedan religious

leaders can exercise, and how dangerous that

influence may be when exercised by ignorant

but zealous apostles.

I thought, too, that I was able to realise in

some way how religious systems take birth,

and religious leaders arise. All the great

religions have arisen in the East and perhaps

from men not very dissimilar to this Arab

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