The Faith as Unfolded by Many Prophets

Front matter

THE FAITH

1833.

Minot Pratt,2Printer.

There is no God but God

THE FAITH

AS UNFOLDED BY MANY PROPHETS.

THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD.

There was a friendship like that of brothers between Havilah the son of Aram, and a man of another nation, to whom Havilah gave the name Eber. Yet Eber was a Christian, while Havilah was a follower of the Prophet. Havilah remembered how his father had early taught him to despise the Jews and Christians, and how he had hated them in his youth; yet he did not repent of his love for Eber.

Eber was not like many persons, whether Musselmen, Jews, or Christians, who having known no men but those of their own country and their own religion, despise or fear all other men, He had left his own country many years before, and had travelled from the sun-setting to the sun-rising; and as his heart was open to every man, there were some found to love him in every land: and among these was Havilah, When Havilah's child was sick Eber had, by the blessing of God, restored him. When Havilah's wife had died Eber wept with the mourner and comforted him. Havilah, in his turn, opened his house and his bosom to the Christian, and made him as his brother.

It happened, one day, that as the sun drew near its setting, Havilah and Eber went out beneath the shade of spreading trees, where the evening breeze might come to them to refresh them after the heats of the day. While the Christian watched how the sun hastened down the sky, his friend withdrew a little space to repeat his accustomed prayers. When Havilah had returned, and they were both seated beneath a tree, Eber said to him:

Though we worship not side by side, nor in the name of the same Prophet, yet we worship together; for we pray to the same God, often at the same time, — and may it not be said in the same spirit?

So I even believe, my friend. Yet has the Prophet declared that there is much evil in friendship with unbelievers. Listen to what is said in the Book; 'O true believers, have no intimate friendship with any besides yourselves; they will not fail to corrupt you.' 'Behold, ye love them, and they do not love you; ye believe in the Scriptures, and when they meet you, they say, 'We believe;' but when they assemble privately together, they are full of wrath against you.' If I had loved a Christian of whom these things were to be believed, I had disobeyed the Prophet; but Mohammed himself, would have loved one whose heart is open as the heart of Eber.

Is it not elsewhere told in the Book,Havilah, who are the infidels whose friendship is dangerous? Is it not those 'who make a laughing-stock and a jest of your religion;' who 'when ye call to prayer, make a laughing-stock and a jest of it, because they are people who do not understand?' I have never thus jested, nor sought to turn Havilah from his faith.

Never, said Havilah. Yet is Eber among those who do not understand: else, as surely as the thirsty fields drink in the rain, would the heart of Eber receive gladly the wisdom of the Prophet.

So say the Christians of those who are called the Faithful, replied Eber. Why should we not both be of those who understand? The same God, the One, who spread out the firmament and the sea and the fruitful fields, who bade the lion roar in the desert, and the elephant hide himself in the forests, and the flocks gather round the dwellings of men, hath given to each of us, not only the heart to love, but the mind to understand. Let us therefore try to understand, and to learn wisdom, each of the other.

Yet, replied Havilah, did not Jesus, the son of Mary, command not to give that which is holy unto the dogs? How then may the Christians impart of their faith to those who will not receive it; to those who despise it, and who are therefore cast out as dogs?

If there be hope that they will cease to despise, the Christian looks on them, not as dogs but as brethren. This is the sign by which he knows them for brethren, — that they worship the same Father.

Havilah answered, I worship, saying 'God is One God; the eternal God, and there is not any one like unto him! He is the Lord of the heavens; the Lord of the earth; the Lord of all creatures, the mighty, the wise God.'

Thus also I worship.

When, continued Havilah, I read in the Book that 'there are infidels who say, 'Verily God is Christ, the son of Mary,' I go onto say in the words of the Book, 'And who could gainsay God if he pleased to destroy Christ, the son of Mary, and his mother, and all those who are in the earth? For unto God belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth, and whatsoever is contained between them: he createth what he pleaseth, and God is almighty.'

So have I ever believed of God, said Eber; and if there be some who believe that Jesus is God, I am not of them. I also say in the words of the Book, 'Say not, there are three Gods; forbear this.' Also 'Christ doth not proudly disdain to be a servant unto God:' forasmuch as he said, 'O children of Israel, serve God, my Lord and your Lord.'

Havilah replied, Wise is the saying, 'Neither is there any other god with him, otherwise every god had surely taken away that he had created; and some of them had created themselves above the others.'

If, replied Eber, there had been no voice from God to teach us this, our eyes would have taught us the truth. It is many ages since the sun began to move as he has moved today, and the moon to divide the months as at this time. Our fathers watched their flocks in the plains, and saw how the stars moved silently from one part of the heaven unto the other, even as we shall behold them when this evening light has passed away. The fields also have been fruitful or bare; the flocks have borne their young, or sought shelter from storms as the seasons came round, from the days of Noah until now. It must be that the hand of one Preserver hath guided the motions of the earth and of the sky; and that the smile of one Father hath blessed mankind from one generation to another.

Havilah praised the great name, and said, Our ears also have heard that He is One.

Yes, continued his friend, it is the same voice which spoke with Adam in the garden, and called Noah from among men, and Abraham into a far country; the same which gave commandments by the Prophets, and promises by the Apostles, and the words of life by Christ.

And by Mohammed his greatest prophet, added Havilah: but his friend answered not.

If there be but one God, said Havilah after a while, there can be but one truth, and this the Prophet taught. Thus he said, There is but one true faith, — that faith is given to men as it pleaseth God: sometimes in the law of the Jews, and sometimes in the Scriptures of the Christians; and above all, in the words of the Book. It was this truth which was given to Adam when the angels worshiped him, and to Abraham when he received the promise, and to Moses when he gave the law, and to Solomon when he sanctified the temple, and to Jesus when he taught the people, and to Mohammed when he received the Book. This truth cannot be changed, however the worship of men may change. — Thus taught the Prophet.

And thus do I believe, replied his friend. The worship of Adam was not as that of Moses, neither was the prayer of Solomon like that of Mary the mother of Jesus; yet was there one truth in the bosom of them all. — What is this great truth?

Havilah bowed his head while he replied, God is One. This is the truth which the angels spake to man when he was placed on the new earth, and your Scriptures say it is that which the devils believe and tremble. It is told also in the sepulchre when the dead give account of their faith to the dread ones who inquire; and is it not declared each night at the hour of prayer?

Yet, said Eber, this great truth has been often corrupted. There have ever been men who believed it not, and there have been times when but a few chosen ones have worshiped the true God.

Even so; but such chosen ones have there ever been, that the truth might not be lost; and when they too began to fail, then was the time for admonition to be sent. In such time came Moses; in such time came Jesus; in such time came Mohammed. — Thus the Prophet taught.

I would rather say, answered Eber, that when men became able to receive more of this eternal truth, the prophets of God, Moses and Christ, were sent. Moses taught that God is One, but Christ taught more: how to look unto Him with a greater hope; to love him with a deeper love than even David, the man after God's own heart, ever felt or would have dared to cherish.

If so, replied Havilah, how shall we think of the faith of Christians when the Prophet came? Did they not worship Jesus, and Mary the mother of Jesus?

They did, and their error is to be mourned; but all Christians err not thus. Mohammed came not to admonish me, and such as myself of the truth; for we believe not on him: yet we know that God is one; and much besides we know which Christ alone hath told. His Gospel tells us, as we have but now said, that forms of worship may change, while the truth changes not; and that as many as hold this truth are brethren. Havilah! I have travelled through many lands, and seen the worship of many nations. Where I have seen men bow down before idols of wood or stone, I have mourned, because they knew not the great truth. When I have seen those who are called Christians praying to Jesus as a God, I have also mourned, because having known the truth, they have corrupted it: but wherever I have heard prayer to the One God, whether under the palm-trees at eventide, or in the assemblies of the people at noon; whether from the lips of men, or in the voice of a child; whether from my own kindred, or one who speaks in a different tongue, — I have thanked God that his truth is preserved among men. Whatever else be the errors of their faith, or the varieties of their worship, I can call them brethren, while we intreat the same Father for help and blessing. Their differences will pass away with the other perishing things which are not sanctioned by God; and what is true will remain a possession unto ail for ever.

So taught the Prophet, replied Havilah. — See where some one drinks at yonder spring!

I have watched the thirsty traveller, replied Eber; he can scarce have drunk since noon, he takes his draught so eagerly.

The water is clear, and the spring never fails, replied his friend: I have seen multitudes quench their thirst there in my day. Others go to the stream beneath the rock; and others again to the well within the city walls. I am told that travellers in the desert collect the rain that falls, and that some who are lost in the thickets moisten their lips with the night dew. Some of this water comes from the sky, and some from the earth; yet it is still water: it is welcome to all, and it quenches the thirst of all. The time may come when we shall see the abyss whence it flows in so many forms, and know that there is but one source, and that it is dispensed by one hand over all the earth. — Thus is it with the truth of God.

Even so; and thus it shall at length be with the love which cannot but spring out of this truth. Then men shall not reproach one another as infidels, or refuse to worship side by side.

This time, however, was not yet come. Havilah went apart once more to worship, and Eber prayed beneath the tree. Though they reasoned together, they could not yet pray as brethren.

The Greatest Prophet

THE GREATEST PROPHET.

As Havilah and his friend Eber rode through the valley at noon-day, they beheld how the persons of one household purified themselves at a stream which was near their dwelling; and how, when they had purified themselves, they kneeled down to pray. Havilah also fastened his horse to a tree, and prayed as he was wont at noon-day. When he had finished and had once more set forth, he saw that the countenance of his friend was grave.—He inquired wherefore; saying,

It makes my heart joyful to be abroad at the hour of prayer, and to behold wherever I turn my eyes, how many true believers remember and obey the words of the Prophet. Even here, where the hills shut us in from the more crowded and busy parts of the land, how many are worshiping in the true faith! I have marked, not only yonder household on the banks of the stream, but higher up, a wayfarer who came to purify himself; and beneath the tree young children kneeled down beside their parent; and in the porch of yonder dwelling I could perceive that they who command and they who serve, bent the head together. Praised be the name of the Prophet who established prayer in all our land!

Was it Mohammed who taught men to pray? inquired Eber. Was there not one before him who prayed continually, and who taught others to pray in spirit and in truth?

Jesus prayed as holy prophets pray, answered Havilah; but his followers corrupted the worship which he offered pure. Did they not pray to himself and to his mother Mary? Nor was this to be wondered at: Jesus appointed no times for prayer, but left every man to follow his own will. It was left for the greatest Prophet so to ordain the seasons of prayer, that no man could forget or dared neglect to offer praise continually to the One God. Doth it not gladden the heart, to know that prayer riseth up through many lands at the same hour; and that noisy cities and busy villages and quiet valleys are made as one great temple, while the names of the One God and of Mohammed his prophet are spoken there?

If I believed that Mohammed was the true Prophet, and that through all the land God was worshiped with the spirit, my heart would be glad: but believing Christ to be the last and greatest of the prophets, I would have men pray as he taught.

The Christians forget, replied Havilah, that Christ himself foretold that Mohammed should come.

We do not forget, answered Eber; but we disbelieve. In our Scriptures we find no such prophecy, and we call not that writing a part of the Gospel in which the prophecy is found. To me it appears that Christ revealed so much of the will of God, and opened so fully to men all things that are needful for their holiness and their peace, that no one was wanted after him to tell more. Or if there had been more to impart to men, I cannot think that Mohammed hath done it.

Hath not Mohammed told many things which Christ declared not? Hath he not told many things of the grave, of paradise, and the place of punishment, and also of the angels?

These things agree in nothing with what God made known by Christ, and therefore I believe them not. I hold them to be dreams.

Let us rather speak of Christ, said Havilah, lest we fall out as unbelievers are wont with the faithful. — I acknowledge the Prophet of the Christians, and will join in doing him honor; because it is told in the Book how Jesus said, 'I will heal him that hath been blind from his birth, and the leper; and I will raise the dead by the permission of God. Verily, herein will be a sign unto you if you believe. — And I come to confirm the law which was revealed before me, and to allow unto you as lawful, part of that which hath been forbidden you; and I come to you with a sign from your Lord.'

Eber replied, These signs did Jesus, and to do them was he sent.

Havilah said, I would hear from thee all that Christ did upon earth, and wherein he is thought by the Christians to be greater than Mohammed. Let us therefore turn aside into the shade, and speak of these things while we rest at ease.

The travellers cast themselves down at the mouth of a cave; and while they talked, their beasts fed before them, under the trees.

Havilah said, We call Jesus the Apostle of God; the Christians call him the Son of God. But the Book saith, 'God is God. Far be it from him that he should have a son.'

Eber replied, We call Jesus the son of God, because God himself so called him; but that name was only given him because he was the chiefest apostle of God. Jesus was a man, and the servant of God. He was, like other men, wearied in body, and sorrowful in spirit. He loved as the heart of man is made to love; and we know that his friends Lazarus and Mary and Martha, and his follower John, and Mary his mother, were dear to him, and that he mourned when they were sorrowful, and was careful to do them good. The soul of Jesus was the soul of a man. As for his body, we know that he suffered as mortal men suffer. He hungered in the desert, and was in agony on the cross, and died with those who were crucified with him.

There are many, said Havilah, who say that it was one in the likeness of Jesus, and not Jesus himself, who was crucified; and the Book saith, 'They did not really kill him, but God took him up unto himself.' Nevertheless, as there is still an uncertain opinion concerning this, I wonder not that the Christians believe according to their Scriptures. Whether Jesus died, or was taken up to paradise without dying, he was still a man, and the apostle of God.

Eber replied, Of his death we will speak more hereafter. The work of his life was to confirm the law (as thou hast said), by showing that it was given unto the Jews from Heaven, to preserve in the earth the knowledge of the eternal truth, that God is One. As he saith, 'I am not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil.' This work he did; and having fulfilled the law and the prophets, there was no office left for another, and therefore we call Jesus the last and the greatest of the prophets.

How say the Christians that Christ fulfilled the law?

By teaching in a more perfect way the same things which the law had taught. The law which the One God gave by Moses taught that he governs in the hearts of men, that he requires men to obey him, and that he rewards or punishes men according to their obedience. All these things Jesus taught more perfectly. He showed that men should worship with the spirit rather than by sacrifices; that they should have pure hearts as well as clean hands; and that they should love fervently, as well as do justly. He persuaded men to this, not by promising them greatness in this world, or threatening disgrace and slavery; but by showing that when the greatness of the world hath passed away, God shall make men happy or miserable according to their obedience. Thus he fulfilled the law; and thus is it truly said, 'The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.'

And how fulfilled he the prophets?

By showing that the things were true which they had spoken concerning himself and their own people.

If he thus fulfilled the law, how say the Christians that the Gospel removes the law? It seems to me that the Jews ought to believe on him who confirmed their law, and that the Christians ought to say, with the Jews, that the law stands for ever.

Nay, my friend, have we not said that though there is one truth that changeth not, the forms in which it is given are made to change? Even so the law was from God, because it contained this truth; but now the same truth is given in the Gospel, and therefore the law is done away. The Jews refuse the Gospel, because it is not for them alone but for the whole world, the time being come when the great truth shall be made known to all.

If the Christians know that the great truth hath once changed its form, why should it not again? If Christ fulfilled the law, and yet declares that it shall pass away before his Gospel, may not Mohammed confirm Christ and the Gospel, and yet establish a new and better faith? So, as much as the Christians are before the Jews, will the faithful be before the Christians.

Nay, replied Eber, but if we believe the true Gospel at all as it is given in our Scriptures, we must believe that it is to endure for ever. So hath God declared through Christ, by such signs and wonders as we cannot but believe. Those who read our Scriptures, find warnings against all prophets who shall come, against all powers which shall oppose themselves to Christianity. And it is moreover declared, through all the Gospel, that Christ shall judge the world; and that according as they hold to the Gospel, shall all who call themselves Christians rejoice or mourn at the last day, Thus are we sure that no other gospel hath come or shall come.

The Faithful, said Havilah, are astonished that the Christians should reproach the Jews with their unbelief, while they themselves reject the true Prophet. The Jews say of their law, as ye say of the Gospel, It shall stand for ever; and because they are thus convinced, they refuse Christ, as ye refuse Mohammed.

Christ was foretold by their prophets, but Mohammed was never foretold as a servant of God. Christ wrought miracles, and was visibly sanctified from heaven; but no such signs attended Mohammed. Again: the law of the Jews was never declared to be established for ever; but rather the people were required to receive every prophet from God, whatever should be the purpose of his coming; and they knew not but that some one might come to remove the law.

I know, replied Havilah, that the Christians receive not the gospel of Barnabus, in which Mohammed is promised; but how say they that our prophet came not with signs and wonders? It is true that Christ did more wonders before the eyes of men, raising some from the dead, and giving sight to the blind, and health to the sick, and creating food for those who hungered: — but did God favor him in the solitude of caves, as he favored his greatest Prophet? Did he send Gabriel to him? Did he take him up to heaven while men slept? And could these things happen to a false prophet?

No false prophet hath ever been thus favored: — but was Mohammed? The followers of Jesus saw how he raised Lazarus from the dead, and cleansed the lepers, and fed the multitudes. Some saw also that one from heaven strengthened him when he prayed sorrowfully before his death; and others beheld the messengers in shining raiment who opened his sepulchre; — but who was nigh when, as Mohammed said, Gabriel came to him in the cave? and what eye beheld the Prophet ascend to heaven and return?

There is, replied Havilah, a better evidence than that of the eyes of men, be they as numberless as the stars of the firmament.

There is, replied his friend; it is the truth which speaks to the heart. This evidence I find in the Gospel of Christ, but not in the teachings of Mohammed.

I find it in both, replied Havilah. Wise is the saying, 'God is but one God.'

Wise is it, and true, said Eber; but this is known to the Jews as it is to us.

Wise is the saying, that Repentance will be accepted with God; for he is easy to be reconciled and merciful. Also, that when men shall be presented before God in the judgment, none of their actions shall be hidden. Also, that no evil happeneth but by the permission of God; and that whoso believeth in God, he will direct his heart. Also, that 'they who serve God and give alms hope for a merchandise which shall not perish; that God may fully pay them their wages, and make an exceeding addition of his bounty.' These things the prophets taught; and do not our hearts declare that they are true?

Even so; but these very things were taught before in our Scriptures, and from Christ did Mohammed learn them.

Then Eber took from his bosom the Book which he ever carried there, and read, 'Repent, and your sins shall be forgiven you.' 'There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.' 'If any man will do the will of God, he shall know the doctrine, whether it be of God.' 'Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.' 'There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, |or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the Gospel's, but he shall receive a hundred fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.'

It is true, said Havilah, that every prophet is made wise with the wisdom of prophets who have gone before; but that is a testimony that such a one is true, rather than that he is false. The hues of the clouds could never form a rainbow, if the many rays came not from one orb of light.

True, replied Eber; yet each must have a beauty of its own, while it enhances the rest. Christ testified to Moses, while he taught many things which it had not entered into the heart of Moses to conceive. Mohammed testified to Christ; but I cannot find that he taught any new truth; for what new things he taught, I believe not to be true.

Then, replied Halivah, the light which the Faithful declare to flow from the great source, the Christians believe to come from the unhallowed fires beneath.

Rather, replied Eber, to descend from a remote star which hath borrowed its rays from the great source. Though it hath had its use in piercing the clouds which deformed the greater light, far be it from us to worship it as the sun.

These clouds, said Havilah, what are they?

When Mohammed arose, answered his friend, the religion of the Christians was already corrupted, so that the one eternal truth was obscured among those who should have preserved it in its full brightness and purity. Not only was Jesus worshiped as a God, but his mother also; and the prayer which is sacred to God alone was offered to the souls of dead men, and even to the images of their bodies. Your Prophet was wise, and he discerned that such worship was foolish; and he knew the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures so far as to perceive that such homage was also false and sinful. Therefore he set himself apart, and directed many eyes to the truth from the midst of these superstitions.

Praised be his name who did this! exclaimed Havilah. Let all who love the truth praise him!

Nay, replied his friend, not if he also corrupted the truth. Many Christians, who believed strange heresies, dwelt in the Prophet's country, and contended among themselves concerning their faith. Many of these heresies did Mohammed receive and teach; thus proving that his was not a true mission, and leading men further from the truth in some points than directing them towards it in others. He also received many superstitions of the Jews, which are not set down in the true Scriptures. This Christ did not. That which he confirmed was given by Moses and the prophets alone, and all the new doctrine which he taught was, in no degree, formed from the thoughts of other men. He neither sanctioned the inventions of men, nor himself imagined any thing from them. Had he done so, men would have been more ready to believe on him than they were.

Mohammed had many enemies, as well as Christ, observed Havilah.

Yes, replied his friend; the Jews, who despise every new doctrine, hated Mohammed, as some of their nation hated Christ. Other enemies had your Prophet also, because he desired greatness, and drew the sword against his foes. Men hated Jesus for a different cause: even because he forbade to use the sword, and would not be called a prince or a leader, as his nation expected their Messiah should be. Mohammed raised armies, and many feared his power: — Christ commanded peace, and was despised. Mohammed made himself a prince and a chief, and men envied him: — Christ was meek and lowly of heart, and they to whom he was promised scoffed. Mohammed told of his visions, and men believed through hope and fear, though they saw not: — Christ boasted not what was done when he prayed at midnight among the mountains; but many witnessed how he trod the waves, and how he was clothed in light, and how his Father spake to him; and yet was he rejected by multitudes, because the hopes and fears he gave were not of this world. Both died through hatred and cruelty; Christ on the cross, and Mohammed by poison. The mighty chief was honored and mourned in his death; but unto men he died wholly, and multitudes forsook his religion when he was no more heard or seen. Christ died amid mockery and degradation; but darkness and earthquakes signalized his death; and multitudes pressed into his kingdom when he had given to others the task of preaching it. The grave hid him not; for he was seen to walk the earth, to ascend into heaven, and known to return and watch over the faithful till Judaism was overthrown. Thus the lowly and peaceful was hallowed from heaven, while the proud and warlike lived and died as other chiefs have lived [and died, save that his superior wisdom gave him greater power.