ISLAM

114 ISI,AM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY
intellectual energies, works on history, philosophy
and law, and other literature which was
smuggled into Turkey across her land and sea
frontiers. In latter days the Turkish exiles in
Europe succeeded in pouring prohibited
literature wholesale into Turkey, but at first the
supply was small ;
one book passed secretly
from one man to another, would be read by
hundreds, and young men greedy for instruction
even went to the pains of copying out
with their own hands bulky volumes which
they had borrowed. Many an Englishman who
considers himself well-read would feel ashamed
on discovering how much wider than his own is
the knowledge of English literature possessed by
some of his friends among the young Turks*
This account amply shows how much the Moslems
value education as their moral and spiritual guidance,
and seek inspiration from great men of learning of
the past. Mr. Devonian will be reticent here.
One outstanding quality of the Islamic system of
education is the fact of its growth without state
interference or Mosque control as contrasted with
the Christian systems. In Christian countries education
is imparted from the political motive of the
state and forms a part and parcel of state or Church
machinery. Mr. Bertrand Russel, F. R. S., has amply
demonstrated how the present system of education
practised in Christian countries is full of political pur-
* E. F. Knight The Awakening of Turkey , p. 26.