y published their message by means of these miracles; and thus
great and powerful kings and philosophers and learned men and
judges of the earth hearkened unto them, without lash or rod, with
neither sword nor spear, nor the advantages of birth or
"Helpers;"[56] with no wisdom of this world, or eloquence or power
of language, or subtlety of reason; with no worldly inducement, nor
yet again with any relaxation of the moral law, but simply at the
voice of truth enforced by miracles beyond the power of man to
show. And so there came over to them the kings and great ones of
the earth. And the philosophers abandoned their systems, with all
their wisdom and learning, and betook them to a saintly life,
giving up the delights of this world together with their
old-established usages, and became followers of a company of poor
men, fishers and publicans, who had neither name nor rank nor any
claim other than that they were obedient to the command of the
Messiah--he that gave them power to do such wonderful works.[57]

[Sidenote: The apostles compared with the chiefs of Islam.]
And yet once more, comparing the apostles with the military chiefs of
Islam, Al Kindy proceeds:

After the descent of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues the
apostles separated each to the country to which he was called. They
wrote out in every tongue the holy Gospel, and the story and
teaching of Christ, at the dictation of the Holy Ghost. So the
nations drew near unto them, believing their testimony; and, giving
up the world and their false beliefs, they embraced the Christian
faith as soon as ever the dawn of truth and the light of the good
tidings broke in upon them. Distinguishing the true from the false,
and error from the right direction, they embraced the Gospel and
held it fast without doubt or wavering, when they saw the wonderful
works and signs of the apostles, and their lives and conversation
set after the holy and beautiful example of our Saviour, the traces
whereof remain even unto the present day.... How different this
from the life of thy Master (Mohammed) and his companions, who
ceased not to go forth in battle and rapine, to smite with the
sword, to seize the little ones, and ravish the wives and maidens,
plundering and laying waste, and carrying the people into
captivity.