Not only were the Christians allowed to practise their religion, but even, as we have seen above, encouraged in it.[4] Almanzor, the champion of Islam, allowed his Christian servants to rest on Sundays. Christians in every reign held high posts at court[5] and throughout the land, and not only timeserving Christians but men like Samson and Leovigild, who were known to sympathise with the party of zealots, were employed by the king to write letters to, and negotiate with, the neighbouring kings. This was no doubt due to their general trustworthiness, their quickness, and their knowledge of Arabic as well as Latin. [1] Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. [2] Prescott, "Ferd. and Isab.," p. 376, n. [3] Mariana, ix. 10. [4] See p. 57. Recent history affords a similar instance from the Christian side. See "Gordon in Central Africa," p. 54--"I have made them make a mosque, and keep the Ramadhan." _Ibid._, p. 249, "I had the mosque cleared out and restored for worship, and endowed the priests and crier, and had a great ceremony at the opening of it.... They blessed me and cursed Zebehr Pasha who took the mosque from them. To me it appears that the Mussulman worships God as well as I do, and is as acceptable, if sincere, as any Christian." [5] Such as secretary, farmer of taxes, or even prime minister. Among the great functionaries of state there was one who held the office of Kitabatu-dh-dhimam, which, being interpreted, is "the office of protection." The Christians and Jews were under his general jurisdiction, and were called "the people of the protection."[1] But besides this Arab "Secretary of State for the Christians," the latter had their own counts--a relic of the Gothic system--who, however, did not always stand up for their interests.[2] There were also Christian censors,[3] but it is not known what position they held in the State. The young Christian cadets of noble birth were brought up at Court, and numbers of Sclavonian Christians served in the king's bodyguard, of whom under Hakem I. (796-822) there were 2000.[4] [1] Al Makk., i. p. 103; and De Gayangos' note, p. 398. [2] _E.g._. Servandus. Cp. also Cyprianus. [3] See above, p. 49. [4] Conde, i. p. 260.