A History of Protestant missions in the near East

88 History of Protestant Missions in the Near East
periphery of the moral instincts of theMuhammadan, and vice
versa. Muhammadanisra lays chief stress on individual commands,
Christianity on a right condition of the heart. The
prime virtue of Islam is obedience, submission to the incomprehensible
laws of God, while the Christian gives love the
first place, love which delights to do the will of God (Rom. 8 :
15).
The Christian ideal takes possession of one after another
of the ethical wastes in the Muhammadan life, doing away
with polygamy and slavery, and laying a foundation for the
elevation of woman.
It is
only in the bright light
of Christian ethics that the
sensual eschatology of Islam with its hitherto intoxicating
power fades away, giving place to the pure flame of the
Christian hope, founded on faith and love towards Christ.
It is not to be expected that the conversion of every
Muhammadan will proceed in this same manner, for the
workings of the spiritual life are very complex. Particularly
applicable to conversions are the words of the Lord " The
:
wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the voice
thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it
goeth " (John 3 : 8). Still, experience indicates the lines along
which to conduct missionary preaching, and, in proportion as
Moslem fanaticism is known to be easily aroused,
it is important
to heed such indications.