76 



PEOF. D. S. MARGOLIOUTH, D.TJTT., ON 



Discussion. 



The Chairman. — Ladies and gentlemen, we have had the great 

 privilege and pleasure of listening to a very able and learned 

 address on the " Future of Islam." I think, by your applause, you 

 have anticipated the proposal I was going to make — that we should 

 give a hearty vote of thanks to the distinguished lecturer. 



Mr. Martin Rouse.^ — I l^eg to second that proposal. I think we 

 have all been highly delighted with this deeply-scholarly, thought- 

 ful, and well-reasoned paper. 



[The vote of thanks was then put to the meeting and carried by 

 acclamation.] 



The Secretary. — I have receivedseveral written communications 

 on the paper. 



We have received communications from Chancellor Lias, the Rev. 

 G. F. Whidborne, Dr. Chaplin, and Dr. Klein. It would be impossible 

 to read them in extenso without unduly curtailing the time for the 

 discussion. They will appear in the next volume of " Transactions." 



Professor Orchard.— The learned author has, I am sure, put us 

 all under an obligation l^y this valual^le and thoughtful paper on a 

 very important subject. 



I notice that he refers to the opinion of von Kremer, " that Islam 

 must at some time become the religion of the whole of India." 

 That may be the opinion of von Kremer ; but I think it is not 

 shared by those who have the opportunity of forming correct con- 

 clusions on the subject. Certainly the Rev. G. T. Manley, by his 

 mathematical training and also, still more, by his experience as a 

 missionary, is entitled to be listened to on this point, and he does 

 not share that view. Quite lately he has pointed out that the 

 Hindus themselves do not fear the Moslems being so numerous ; but 

 their belief is that the Christians, though comparatively a small 

 community, are a real danger, and they look with apprehension 

 to the possible spread of Christianity. Of course it is true that the 

 number of converts is small. That, no doubt, is very much owing 

 to the fragments of truth in the Mohammedan creed. They have the 

 grand truth of monotheism. That is one reason why it is so 

 difficult to make converts from them. 



Then, again, I notice the author points out another cause which 

 has had some effect, and that is, as he says, "in several of the 



