ect city of London,
while the East Anglian king Redwald resolved to serve Christ and the
older gods together.

FOOTNOTES:

[43] Translated by King Alfred the Great.

[44] That is, with their near kinsfolk.

[45] A brother is here styled "his brotherliness," as a pope "his
holiness."

[46] The remainder of this is not translated here.

[47] "Sir" in English (_Schir_, Scottish) equal to _Dominus_, Latin, was
five or six centuries ago prefixed to the name of every ordained priest.

[48] See introduction to _Augustine's Missionary Work in England_.

THE HEGIRA

CAREER OF MAHOMET: THE KORAN: AND MAHOMETAN CREED

A.D. 622

IRVING OCKLEY

The flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina occurred June 20, 622,
and was called the _hegira_, or departure of the prophet. That
event marks the commencement of the Mahometan era, which is called
there-from the _Hegira_. According to the civil calculation it is
fixed at Friday, July 16th, the date of the Mahometans, although
astronomers and some historians assign it to the day preceding.
While primarily referring to the flight of Mahomet, the term is
applied also to the emigration to Medina, prior to the capture of
Mecca (630) of those of Mahomet's disciples, who henceforth were
known as Mohajerins--Emigrants or Refugees--which became a title of
honor.

A scion of the family of Hashem and of the tribe of Koreish, the
noblest race in Arabia, and the guardians of the ancient temple and
idols of the Kaaba, Mahomet was born at Mecca, August 20, A.D. 570.
He acquired wealth and influence by his marriage with Kadijah, a
rich widow, but, about his fortieth year, by announcing himself as
an apostle of God, sent to extirpate idolatry and to restore the
true faith of the prophets Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, he and his
converts were exposed to contumely and persecution.

It was, as Irving's recital shows, necessary for the preservation
of his life--which was threatened by his own tribe, the
Koreishites--that Mahomet should leave Mecca, and he escaped none
too soon. It must also be observed that by this going out he found
ampler means for the spread of his doctrine and the increase of his
followers. His very presence among strangers drew multitudes to the
support of his cause, and the enthusiasm aroused by the prophet at
Medina made that city the