[55] In the order of time, and to fully grasp the extent of Christian ideas prevalent in Arabia the chapter on Early Christianity in Arabia should precede this chapter on Islam; but logically that chapter belongs with the other chapters on mission-work. The same is true, in a measure, of the chapter on the Sabeans. [56] See pp. 177, 178, for tables showing the Elements in Islam and the sources from which they were derived. [60] Koelle’s Mohammed, p. 27. [61] See an article on “Mohammedanism and Christianity.”—Dr. Robert Bruce, _The Christian Intelligencer_ (New York) April, 1894. [62] Even the sacred books of India and China and Ancient Egypt compare more favorably with the Bible in this respect than does the Koran. They teach the heinous character of sin, as sin, and do not deny the need of a mediator or of propitiatory sacrifice but are full of both ideas. [63] For a Chronological table of Arabian history, from the earliest times to the present, _see Appendix_. [64] The four orthodox sects are called: Hanafis, Shafis, Malakis, and Hambalis. The last was founded by Ibn Hambal at Bagdad, 780 A. D. it is the least popular sect. [65] The Mahmal is a covered litter, an emblem of royalty and of superstitious honor sent from Cairo and Damascus to Mecca, to this day. [66] Zehm’s Arabie, p. 332. [67] Saud died at the age of forty-five, in April, 1814, from fever, at Deraiyah. He was a strong-willed ruler but administered justice with rigor; he was wise in council and skillful in settling disputes and healing factions. Of his eight children, Abdullah, the eldest, succeeded him as ruler. [68] The history of its tedious prosecution and all its cruelty on the side of the Turks is told by Burckhardt, the traveller, who was himself living in Mecca at this time. [69] Palgrave visited the Wahabi capital during the reign of Feysul and gives his usual picturesque descriptions of the court and family life of the genial tyrant. But it is necessary to take his accounts of Riad _cum grano salis_; a Jesuit Roman Catholic would not describe the strict Puritanism of the Wahabis with any degree of admiration. Palgrave’s statistics of the strength of Feysul’s army and of the population of his dominions are utterly unreliable and greatly exaggerated. However one must read Palgrave to know what was the condition of the Wahabi empire in 1860-63, for he is our only authority for that period. [70] The history of Mecca under these Sherifs is given by Snouck Hurgronje at length in his “Mekka.” [71] This is according to the testimony of Walter B. Harris who was in Yemen shortly after the rebellion. [72] See Lady Ann Blunt’s “Bedouins of the Euphrates.” [73] Statesman’s Year Book. [74] For a complete account of Perim, see “The Description and History of Perim,” by J. S. King, Bombay, 1877. [75] Treaties were made with the Arabs of the pirate coast in 1835, 1838, 1839, 1847, 1853, and 1856; of these we shall speak later.