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THE MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY
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Elsewhere he says:
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"The intrinsic merits of Mohammedanism, while utterly beneath comparison
with the only true revelation, are yet confessedly superior to those of every
other religious system which has obtained among men . . . . As opposed to the
Gospel, indeed, Mohammedanism must be considered only as a curse; but as the
pre-appointed scourge of heresy and heathenism, as cleansing the world from
the gross pollutions of idolatry, and as preparing the way for the reception
of a purer faith, it may well be regarded as a blessing."
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On a nearer inspection, we fear that
he would have modified this praise: their false worship opposes obstacles to
conversion, greater even than those of heathenism itself.
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As to the prospective views of Mohammedanism, Mr. Forster's
expectations are glowing in the extreme. After expatiating on the points
common to both creeds, he proceeds:
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"Suppose these, and similar positions, plainly deducible from the Coran
and its commentators, once brought clearly and conclusively to elucidate
the authoritative record of Scripture, by men whose zeal shall shine forth on
the benighted East, sustained by extensive knowledge, and tempered by a wise
discretion, while their walk among men forms that best of commentaries, a
living one, on the truth and power of these doctrines;suppose episcopal
Christianity, in a word, one day taught and exemplified in Asia, as it was
originally taught and exemplified in the Apostolic times, and who, that
reflects on the whole providential history and relationship of the two
religions, can doubt the eventful result throughout the Mohammedan world ?
" (vol. i. p. 400). "And thus out of the most deadly and devastating
apostasy with which the justice of Heaven ever visited the sins of men, does
the mercy of God seem, all along, to have been secretly, but effectually,
preparing the instrumental means for the glorious re-edification of our
Eastern Sion, by the final bringing in of Jew, Mohammedan and Gentile, to the
church and kingdom of the Gospel" (vol. ii. p. 371).
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These are bright visions indeed; and may God of His infinite mercy grant them
a speedy fulfilment: but we fear they are not borne out by the premises. Alas!
there is nothing in Islam which warrants us in saying that it tends towards
Christianity. At first sight, indeed, we appear to have many advantages in the
contest; we have no infidel views to oppose; the existence of sin, and its
future punishment, are allowed; the necessity of a revelation, and even the
Divine origin of the Old and New Testament dispensations, are conceded; the
most of the attributes of God,
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