THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, MAY 18, 1899.
a mound of stones over the body have told you.” At length the old
Sheikh Ali stroked his snowy
and sat down to weep.
While he was weeping a wealthy beard, adjusted bis white turban,
hajji, or pilgrim, came along on his and whispered to Mohammed,
return from Mecca. He was sur- “And my holy place is the tomb of
. rised to see a man alone in this that donkey’s father!” “ Mashal­
wilderness and asked him why he lah,” said Mohammed, “May Allah
bless the beard of the holy don­
wept. Mohammed replied:
“O hajji, I have found the tomb keys!”
of a holy prophet, and I have vow­
ed to be its keeper, but I am in
‘He Took th e V inegar.’
great need.” The Hajji thanked
him for the news, dismounted to
Some two or three years ago, Mr.
visit the holy place and gave Mo-1 Talmage preached a sermon on the
hammed a rich present. After he text, “He took the vinegar”.
had gone, Mohammed hastened to Christ’s life was reviewed, each
the nearest village and bought pro­ sentence closing with “he took the
visions and then returned to the vinegar”. At the final scene, Mr.
holy prophet’s tomb. The Hajji Talmage said:
spread the news, and pilgrims
“The wealthy women of Jerusa­
thronged to the spot with rich lem used to have a fund of mon­
presents and offerings. As money ey with which they provided wine
came in, Mohammed brought for those who died by crucifixion,
masons and built a costly tomb, a powerful opiate to deaden the
with a tall white dome that could pain, but Christ would not take it
be seen across the Jordan. He —he wanted to die sober. He took
lived in a little room by the tomb, the vinegar.”
and soon the miraculous lights be­
“There was a marriage in Cana
gan to appear in the tomb at of Galilee,” to which Jesus and his
night, which Mohammed had kin­ disciples were “called”. There were
dled when no one was near. He six water pots of stone, containing
increased in fame and wealth, and about three firkins each. “Jesus
the prophet’s tomb came to be re­ said unto the servants, fill the wa­
garded as one of the great shrines ter pots with water. And they fill­
of the land.
ed them up to the brim.” Then
At length Sheikh Ali heard of the first display of divine power
the fame of the new holy place in clothed in humanity took place.
the desert, and as his own visitors Jesus turned the water into wine,
began to fall off, decided to go him­ better, of course, than man-made
self and gain the merit of a visit to wine.
the tomb of that famous prophet.
Jesus and his disciples used wine
When he arrived there with his at supper, which may be inferred
rich presents of green cloth, in­ from the statement that Jesus at
cense and money, he bowed in the last supper “took the cup and
silence to pray towards Mecca, gave thanks” and, according to
when suddenly be recognized in Matthew, said, “I say unto you, I
the holy keeper of the tomb his old will not drink henceforth of this
servant Mohammed. “Salam alay- fruit of the vine until that day
koom,” said Sheikh Ali. “Alay- when I drink it new with you in
koom es salam,” replied Moham­ my lather’s kingdom”; according
med. When he asked him how he to Mark, “Verily I say unto you, I
came there and how he found this will drink no more of the fruit of
tomb, Mohammed replied, “This the vine until that day that I drink
tomb is a great ‘sirr,’ or mystery, it new in the kingdom of God”;
and T am forbidden to utter the according to Luke, “For I say unto
secret.” “But you must tell me,” vou, I will not drink the fruit of
said Sheikh Ali, “for I am a father the vine until the kingdom of God
to you.” Mohammed refused and shall come.” John says nothing
Ali insisted, until at length Mo­ about this supper.
hammed said, “My honored
Mr. Talmage says that Christ
Sheikh, you remember having “ wanted to die sober”.
given me a donkey. It was a
M. M. T.
faithful donkey, and when it died
I buried it. This is the tomb of
that donkey 1”
E leventh Annual C onvention.
“Masballahl Mashallah!” said
the Sheikh Ali, “the will of Allah
Pursuant to tbe call of the Ex­
he done!” Then they ate and ecutive Board, the Eleventh Annu­
drank together and renewed the al Convention of the Oregon State
memory of their former life, and Secular Union will be held at Day­
then Sheikh Mohammed said to ville, Oregon, on the 10th, 11th and
'heikh Ali, “My master, as I have 12th of June, 1899. Much business
told you the mystery of my proph­ of importance is to be transacted,
et’s tomb, I wish to know the and a good attendance is requested.
secret of yours.”
Speakers from a distance have been
“Impossible,” said Ali, “for that invited, and a general good time is
18 one of the ancient mysteries, too expected. A full program will be
sacred to be mentioned by mortal announced later.
lipr ”
E. S tewart , Pres.
But you must tell me, even as I
K ate D e P eatt , Sec.
... The
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Liberal
U niversity
T H E O N LY S C H O O L
OF T H E K IN D .
F ree from S u p erstitio n
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Pupils are (liven Every O p p o rtu n ity to Learn
W ith o u t Being H am pered by S upersti-
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E x p e n s e s M o d e ra te
A Splendid C orps of Teachers and Good F a c il­
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For inform ation,
address
»
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P R E S ID E N T ,
SILVERTON.
OREGON.