THE EUROPEAN CRISIS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 3, 1876

THE EUROPEAN CRISIS.

[The following article is from the pen of Jas. B. Simpson, editor of the Dallas (Texas) Herald, and presents some interesting historical facts. It will be full of interest just at this time to all the readers of the REVIEW, and should be carefully pondered and compared with “Thoughts on Daniel.” E. G. Rust.]

Europe to-day seems verging upon another holy war. All that is requisite to produce it is for Murad Effendi to summon to his side the fierce and fanatical Softas and fling to the breeze the sacred standard of the prophet. The contest would spring at once from a scattering fight between rebellious subjects to a bloody conflict between Mohammedanism and Christianity; for every true believer from Hindostan to the blue waters of the historical Bosphorus, would rally to Murad’s relief. As stated by an exchange, the green flag of the prophet is the standard, not of the Sultan, but of the Caliph, and its unfurling is an act of the profoundest religious significance. It must be remembered that the title of Caliph (from Arabic calafa, to succeed) is the designation given to the successors of Mohammed, and is a much more ancient title than that of Sultan. The latter title is of Persian origin, having been first assumed by Mahmoud Gazni, the founder of the Gaznivide dynasty A. D. 999.

The word Sultan is originally an indeclinable noun of Arabic derivation. This title, like that of Shah, in Persia, has nearly superseded the title of Caliph, though the latter is the prerogative of all the true successors of the prophet. But the Persians, who have been described as the broad churchmen of Mohammedanism, care very much less for ancient words than the Turks do, and with them Sultan (Imperator Emperor) has for 900 years taken the place of Caliph (successor). The Sultan of Constantinople, the true head of the Mohammedan faith, has, however, never abandoned entirely his hereditary title of Caliph. When he ascends the throne, and the ordinary ceremonies of his accession are concluded, the crowning act of the ceremony is performed by the Softas, who carry him

in state to the Mosque of Saint Sophia, and there invest him solemnly with the scimitar of the Caliphs. After this investiture, he becomes the absolute spiritual head of Islam, and if he once flings the green standard to the breeze and draws that sacred scimitar, every true Moslem is bound to follow him to the death. Death, indeed, in such a cause would be to the true believer the most welcome of boons, since it insures him an immediate entrance into a paradise in which his wildest visions of rapture will be more than realized.

The Turk has never lost his hatred for the “Christian dog,” who rejects his prophet, and there can be no doubt but that such a “crusade against the cross” would be supported by all the Mohammedan tribes. We have seen that the Softas have intimated their desire to be armed and sent to the front. Once actually in the field, it is not likely that these fiercest of the Mussulman fanatics will long remain without exerting their whole influence upon the course of the campaign, and any misunderstanding between the Porte and her Christian allies would be eagerly seized upon as a pretext for casting off all fellowship with unbelievers, and concentrating upon the line of religion and of race.

The issue of such a contest could, of course, not long remain doubtful. Not even another Saladin could lead Islam to a successful battle with Christianity. The only gainer, however, from the complete overthrow of the Turkish government would be Russia, and to this fact is attributable the unwillingness of England and the other powers to permit the breaking up of that corrupt and cruel rule, under which the Slavonic Christians have been groaning for so long. The wiser heads in the Turkish counsel no doubt comprehend this fact perfectly, and so long as any political sagacity is left in Constantinople, the religious outbreak we have referred to will not be permitted to occur. But no one can tell how soon the unruly elements involved may defy control. The end may be very near.