The gift which the poet prays for is vouchsafed to very few mortals. Almost all of us have naturally, and often unconsciously, such a high opinion of ourselves that, even if we would, we could not see ourselves as others see us. The next best thing that we can do is, therefore, _to see others as we see ourselves_, to cherish the same regard for others as we instinctively cherish for ourselves. If (to take an extreme case for example) we cannot detest ourselves as others sometimes detest or hate us, we can at least try to love others as we love ourselves, "try to do unto others as we wish that others should do unto us". Thus the rule: "Love thy neighbour as thyself", is quite consistent with human nature and is the most comprehensive rule of conduct which has ever been laid down for the guidance of mankind. To my mind there is no better proof of the identity in spirit of Christianity and Islam than the confirmation of Christ's command by Muhammad himself. No-one will be a faithful | Muslim until he loves his | [Arabic: La yu'minu ahdakum hatta neighbour as he loves himself. | yuhibbu li ma yajib nafsahu] For this reason, I believe that there is no difference between the two religions _if_ the metaphysical doctrines engrafted on both be eliminated. _True Islam is but true Christianity writ short._[88] Both recognize that the source of virtue is love, For love is Heaven and Heaven is love. APPENDIX. _We are indebted to Mr. J.C. Molony for the following illuminating criticism which affords food for serious thought--Editor._ If we assume the existence of a God, interested in the governance of this world, it becomes impossible to deny that Muhammad was God's messenger, or, at least, God's prophet. It seems to me unlikely that a man could change the belief of nations by chance, incredible that he should do so were he an impostor. Muhammad was certainly honest; the persistence of the faith called after him leads me to consider him as inspired. Or, if "inspired" be objected to as a general religious term of very indefinite meaning, let us say that he saw into the heart and reality of life further and more clearly than any man has done since his day. How then comes the fact, noted by Amjad and Mahmood and admitted by you, that Islamic countries in the main have wretched governments, and are crumbling away before Christian Powers? I do not think that you have answered this question[89]. You have merely pointed out that Islam, if rightly understood, is an excellent religion.