THE FUTCKE OF ISLAM. 



83 



One observation was made on the sul)ject of the Arahio language, 

 and the dithculty of the study of the Koran. That interested me, 

 because a short time ago I was talking to a man of experience, and 

 he said he thought the reason why, in ordinary life, Mohammedans 

 do not get the places they seek, was that a considerable part of 

 their youth was spent in learning the Koran, and he thought it was 

 an useless Inirden on them, as they did not understand it, to learn 

 it merely by rote, and that that mechanical labour unlitted them for 

 business habits. I have no douln that what he said was based on 

 correct observation. It seems to me. so far as I am acquainted with 

 Mohammedans, that too much study of the Arabic language does 

 injure them. It seems to be so in Persia, and Turkey, European 

 and Asiatic, where profound knowledge of Arabic is not common. 

 Even in Egypt and Syria the study among ^lohammedans is often 

 confined to committing to memory a few books. So I do not think 

 the Arabic language is to blame : but. I believe, they are badly 

 taught it, being taught to learn the words without their meanings, 



I understand from friends that great alterations are being made 

 in the way of a better course of study, which may develop better 

 results. (Applause.) 



The Meeting then adjoiuiied. 



Communication?. 



The follo^^"ing comnmnications have been received ; — 

 From the Eev. Chancellor Lias : — 



The Institute is to be congratulated on the able paper by 

 Professor Margoliouth which has been read before it. I send a few 

 remarks by way of supplement. 



In the first place, as the late Professor Freeman was never tired 

 of saying, one great reason of the social and political failure of 

 Mohammedanism lies in the fact that it spread, not by discussion, 

 but through the power of the sword. Though it was associated 

 with rapid and remarkable intellectual progress among the races in 

 which it originated, it aimed, not at the elevation of the peoples 

 which it subdued, but at their suppression. AVith a military 



