THE CEYLOH MUHAMMADANS. 
specially and above all other forms of faith, be 
correctly stigmatized, as being intolerant, and 
fanatical, in the extreme, unless it be from the 
precepts in the Koran, which are as severe in denounc- 
ing, and with the greatest certainty pronouncing, 
frightful punishments and penalties, both in this world 
and in that to come, upon the unbelievers, as upon 
those who will only believe, the utmost extent of 
purely sensual gratifications. But for all that, a great 
many of the very ignorant amongst the masses, 
have no great idea of the minor principles of their 
faith, just in the same measure as is prevalent 
amongst many nominal Christians. Most of us have 
heard of the Madras Tamil servant, who, when ques- 
tioned, as to his religious persuasion, replied, ‘ ‘ I am 
a Christian,” and when further questioned, as, to 
how, or why, he was one, said, “ I eat beef, drink 
beer and brandy, the same as master.” And just so, 
there are no doubt numerous good Musalmans, Viho if 
ques tioned in the same way, would reply, I do not 
eat pork ; when I pray, or recite passages of the 
Koran, I turn my face towards Mecca, and I abhor 
the infidel, using every method in my power to 
despoil him of his silver. ” These, and there are many 
such, are merely Musalmans because they were born 
and brought up in the faith, and do not know near- 
ly so much of its correct principles and tenets as the 
writer himself. With the vast bulk of mankind, in 
every clime and region, we find the outward pro- 
fession of a faith, without the systematic practice, 
which is just, as we may term it, a negative affir- 
mation that they do not believe it, although were 
they to be so plainly accused, the accusation would 
meet with a most indignant denial. With such we 
would just calmly argue the question, if you believe 
it, why do you not practise it : not only so, but 
actually act, in direct opposition to its rules ? And 
even where the systematic practice is rigidly adhered 
to, do we not very frequently find that it is all out- 
wardly, without at all touching the spirit, or mind ? 
The outward form, without the inward power. What 
would we think of a man, who was perfectly aware 
of his extreme poverty, who always said he knew 
where there was a very fine piece of land, for plant- 
ing coffee, perfectly certain of it, and he also knew 
where he could easily procure on very easy terms 
money to cultivate it, and yet he did nothing, 
seemed quite satisfied to lounge away year after year 
of his life, in a small mud bungalow, domg nothing, 
only telling every one all the fine things he knew ? 
There could be only two conclusions any man of sense 
could come to in his case. Either, that he was mad. 
