the efficacy of
tears when he wrote in the Psalms, 'Put thou my tears in thy bottle, O
God.'"

On the last night many Shiite Moslems walk to the mosque in bare feet,
wearing sackcloth. Often a governor or lord accompanied by 40 to 100
servants, all barefooted, will be seen slowly treading their way toward
a mosque. Wearied by the great exertions of the past ten days it is
difficult to keep awake during the last night; so many men will be seen
coming out of the mosques during the night to walk around and keep
awake. At daybreak these solemn ceremonies end. In all these ten days
of special religious services not one word is said in condemnation of
sin. There is no moral teaching. Nothing is taught about man's duty to
God, or his duty to fellow-men. Nothing is said to strengthen his
character, to make him a purer and nobler man. The only teaching is in
tragic tales of martyrs; the only inspiration is hatred to enemies.

Compare this religion with that of our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ,
God-man. He gave His life for all nations, even His enemies. He calls
mankind to sacrifice, but it has a practical object: that they may be
purer and live a higher and nobler life. Christianity is as the sun
shining in its fulness, while Mohammedanism, in its ignorance and
superstition, is as the darkness of midnight.

CHAPTER XI.

HEAVEN AND HELL.

HEAVEN.

Mohammed declared in the Koran that there are seven heavens. Above all
is the heaven for prophets, martyrs, those who die in battle for
religion's sake, and for angels. Chief among all in this heaven is
Mohammed, mediator between God and believers. The other heavens will be
inhabited by believers, the degree of piety and integrity determining
to which heaven they shall go.

Heaven was pictured as an earthly paradise. There are beautiful
gardens, vineyards, green pastures, fresh fountains, the river of
living water, many bathing pools of glass, a palace of marble and
glass, ornamented with pearls and diamonds. The trees bear fruit
continuously, some in blossom, others ripe with fruit. Prominent are
the palm, and grape, fruits which were favorites of Mohammed while on
earth. Choice fruits grow in abundance and on low trees so that a man
can stand on the ground and eat of the fruit. Each vine bears 7,000
clusters of grapes, and every grape contains 7,000 gallons of juice.
The pastures are eternally green, and in them grow many thousand
varieties of flowers of exquisite o