[Frontispiece Image: Mount Calvary.] THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE, AS SHOWN IN THE HISTORY OF NATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, From the Great Apostasy to the Restoration of the Gospel. ILLUSTRATED. BY ELDER J. H. WARD. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Published at the Juvenile Instructor Office. 1883. PREFACE. Don't throw this book down carelessly. It will do you no harm. It assumes no dictation. It may benefit you if you will read it carefully. "We have plenty of histories." True. But most are too large to be of practical value to the sons and daughters of toil. Many are written in the interest of some party or sect, and in order to gain favor, they flatter the vanity of men. "But they tell of wonderful deeds, and thrilling adventures." Very true. Some of them are mostly composed of recitals of legalized slaughter, and praise of tyrants who have climbed to power over the mangled bodies of their fellow-men, and whose names will not live in one grateful memory; while the real benefactors of the race, the unfolding of new and higher truths and, above all, the over-ruling hand of God are unnoticed, or, at most, barely mentioned. "Does God rule the world?" Yes, verily. The greatest actors on the theatre of the world are only instruments in the hand of God, for the execution of His purposes. "Where have you obtained the facts contained in this volume?" From many authentic works, some of them not easily accessible to most readers. {IV.} "This will be a good book for the young, and all those who have not the opportunity to consult larger works, will it not?" With this idea it has been written and to this end I dedicate it to my children as heirs in the kingdom of God, to the youth of Zion and to my earnest friends everywhere. THE AUTHOR. Salt Lake City, March 16th, 1883. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Injustice of Roman Governors--Nero Emperor--Vespasian and Titus Sent to Judea--Fortifications of Jerusalem--Titus Offers Terms of Peace--Horrors of the Siege--Women Devour their own Children--Temple Burned--City Destroyed--Dispersion of the Jews--Universal Apostasy--Priesthood no More--Ideas of God Perverted--Worship Corrupted with Heathen Rites--Persecution of Christians--Emperor Constantine--Rise of Monastic Order. CHAPTER II. Description of Arabia--Arabian Customs--Birth of Mahomet--Early Life--Journey to Syria--Christian Sects--Doctrines Taught by Mahomet--His Marriage--Proclaims Himself a Prophet--Persecution--Flees to Medina--Becomes Powerful--Sickness and Death--Personal Appearance. CHAPTER III. Causes of Triumphs--Abou-Beker Elected Caliph--War Declared--Fall of Bozrah--Battle of Aiznadin--Siege of Jerusalem--Departure of Roman Emperor--Saracen Fleet--Eastern Conquests--Fall of Alexandria--Conquest of Northern Africa--Conquest of Spain--Battle of Poictiers--Extent of Saracen Empire. CHAPTER IV.