widely different. When I was young I thought
with others of my kind, and preached conversion zealously and from the
heart. But now that I am old I sometimes think as you do, and ask
myself what good there is in making proselytes. But Allah is above all
of us; He alone sees the end. We strive, and others strive, for
special objects, an all fail, or else find disappointment in success;
but Allah uses our success and failure, and with them gains an object
which we never saw. Look back, O my friend, a score of years, and tell
me: Is not the intercourse between the divers sects and religions in
this country more friendly than it used to be; has not each more regard
for the other, while adhering more strongly than ever to its own creed?
Is not this to be ascribed to the missionaries, who pass from one to
the other, and cause them to compare their views, or at least
investigate them; who, by their very attacks, as you call them, have
done good, by forcing the attacked to look to their position and
resources? The Muslimin, the very Jews, have grown more tolerant; they
never stone me now as heretofore. Strange indeed if, where faith
assails faith in the name of Allah, Allah Himself should by that means
produce general toleration, and an end to proselytising! Yet that is
what is happening, it seems to me. The assaults of the Catholics and
the Protestants upon your Church have revived her. Her priests are
better in their lives; they begin to be educated; and, as a
consequence, she holds her ground. I submit to thee that we have made
few, if any, converts from you in the last ten years."

"That is true," said Mitri, greatly interested; "and by my life thou
speakest like an angel. Nevertheless, there is but one true Church on
earth; would that I might convince thee of her authority! . . . But
thou eatest nothing! Taste this sweetstuff, I entreat thee; it is
quite a delicacy!"

The rest of the company, finding the argument beyond them, were talking
among themselves in lower tones. Only Abdullah, as a sometime
dragoman, kept near the missionary, interrupting his speech with
senseless scraps of English, all eagerness to translate for him the
words of Mitri, till the latter stopped him with a curt "Be silent,
fool!" And Iskender also hung upon the missionary, waiting an
opportunity to inquire for the young Emir. On a pause he thrust in his
question; when the missionary, who had been smiling at a joke of
Mitri's, becam