children-Judaism in Arabia -Christianity-Irreligious-
ness of Arabs- The Hanyfs — Mohammed, a Hanyf—
Mohammed's personal influence-His appearance, man-
ners, character, and habits-Voltaire's judgment on cause
of success of Islam -Carlyle's judgment-Its fallacy-
The sword and Islam-Arab love of fighting and plunder
-Feeling of strength in united Arabia-Simplicity and
upright government of early caliphs Other causes of
success Literature and Islam Saracen and Greek
learning and philosophy-Intolerance of Islam-Meek-
ness towards Moslems Its results on Arabia - Islam
compared with Mosaism-General criticism-Judgments
pronounced by Freeman, Osborn, and Lord Houghton.

-

LECTURE III.

BUDDHISM.

Page 129.

Is Buddhism a religion?-Its origin-Three anterior re-
ligions in India-Brahmanism-Emanation and Absorp-
tion-Transmigration-Salvation by priestly rites and
transcendental knowledge-Reaction against Brahmanism
-Life of Sakya-muni-His sympathetic nature-His search
for emancipation from suffering-Conversations with
Brahmans-He retires to the jungle-He becomes the
Buddha-Prevails upon himself to publish his discovery
-Missionary ardour of first disciples-His last words-
Account of the system-Its postulates-Materialism and
transmigration-Misery of all existence-Death no deliver-
ance-Karma-Continuity of personal identity-The Four
Great Truths-Path to Nirvana-Nirvana, a moral condi-
tion-Defect in Buddhist ethical system-Annihilation-
Mr. Rhys David's exposition of Nirvana-Inherent ex-
cellence of Buddhism-Its practical failure-Deterioration
of popular Buddhism-Its formalism-Its atheism has
resulted in polytheism and saint-worship.

Contents.

vii

LECTURE IV.

THE PERFECT RELIGION.

Page 187.

Current theories to account for religions-Universality
of religion-Definition of religion-Fallacious tests of
perfect religion-True criterion-The Christian religion
gives highest idea of God-It does so because it has its
root in revelation-Revelation defined-Centres in the
Incarnation-Incarnation not a Semitic idea, therefore

given or revealed-Christianity the one true religion—

Primitive revelation-Revelation in history-Revelation

and speculation-Morality of Christianity and other re-

ligions-Moral teaching and moral influence-Superiority

and perfection of Christianity-How far the purposes of

religion have been served by natural religions-The reli-

gious systems to be distinguished from the men adhering

to them-Dadu-Religions, in what sense false Is the ab-

solutely best also the relatively best religion-Comparison

of Arabian Christianity and Mohammedanism—Conditions

of society impervious to Christianity-Inferences regarding

missionary effort-Conclusion.

I.

MOHAMMEDANISM :

ITS CREED AND PRACTICE.

"Say: He is one God:

God the Everlasting!

He begetteth not, and He is not begotten;

And there is none like unto Him."

KORAN, Sura cxii.