Major Pricx’s Extracts from the Mualiat-i-Déré Shekohi. 85 
of now. The time past is ever on the increase, in proportion as these intervals 
are adding to it; every hour and portion of time being made up of the 
numerical parts consisting of those transcient intervals, just as in numbers 
the aggregate of millions is but the accumulation of units one upon another. 
In a corersponding degree, also, will the division of time to come be 
diminished. 
If, then, he has common prudence, man will remember that he is just in 
the situation of a traveller, in whose journey there exists not the possibility 
of arresting his progress, not even for the twinkling of an eye, until he has 
fulfilled the measure of that line which is the allotted time of his existence, 
made up of the interval points to which we have now repeatedly alluded. In 
such circumstances, the traveller, if he is wise, will seriously enquire whence 
he came and whither he is going; and having, as far as possible, ascertained 
the former point, to prepare himself for the knowledge of what in future he 
is to be, it behoves him to make the requisite provision for his journey ; for 
without such precaution his course will be full of peril. For that we are 
but passengers here on earth, God Almighty has mysteriously pronounced, 
when, in his word, he commands us to lay up provision. 
This being the case, and observing that the greater part of mankind are 
regardless of what so deeply imports them—that, ignorant of the truths of 
their common religion, they have held them in contempt ; not standing upon 
the types and demonstrations, and rejecting with equal obstinacy the occult 
and mysterious meanings of God’s word; that, adhering to the corrupt and 
absurd speculations of their own fancy, they have blindly fallen off from all 
that is just and benevolent; that, arrogating to themselves the supremacy in 
accordance with their own conflicting lusts and propensities, they have pro- 
duced a serious dissention among the faithful; and finally, dared, under 
the name of kirdmati, to braud with the stigma of imposture, infidelity, 
and heresy, all those who, better instructed in the principles of divine revela- 
tion, better sighted to penetrate to the sources of truth, are labouring to sepa- 
rate the things essential to our welfare in eternity, from the senseless vanities 
of this perishable world. Observing, I say, all these alarming circumstances, 
I conceived it incumbent upon me to compose a work relating to the subject; 
and, in conformity with my views, I have bestowed upon it the title of 
Zdd-ul-Musdfarin, Provision for Wayfarers, imploring the grace of God to 
aid me to its completion. 
F2 
