Tyler, Royall, 1757-1826 [1797], The Algerine captive, or, The life and adventures of Doctor Updike Underhill, six years a prisoner among the Algerines, volume 2 (, Walpole, NH) [word count] [eaf407v2].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
CHAP. XXXIII.
There appears to be nothing in their nature above
the power of the Devil.
Edwards on Religious Affections.
ARGUMENT.
The Author vi&longs;its the City of Medina:
De&longs;cription of the Prophet's Tomb, and
principal Mo&longs;que.
[figure description] Page 220.[end figure description]
Medina Tadlardh, erroneously
called Medina Talmabi, is &longs;ituated
in Arabia De&longs;erta, about forty five miles
ea&longs;t from the borders of the red &longs;ea. To
this place, as has been before related, the
prophet fled, when driven from Mecca his
birth place; and here he was buried, and
his remains &longs;till are pre&longs;erved, in a &longs;ilver
coffin, ornamented with a golden cre&longs;cent,
enriched with jewels, covered with cloth
of gold, &longs;upported upon &longs;ilver ta&longs;&longs;els, and
&longs;hadowed by a canopy, embroidered with
-- 221 --
[figure description] Page 221.[end figure description]
&longs;ilk and gold thread upon &longs;ilver ti&longs;&longs;ue.
This canopy is renewed annually, by the
ba&longs;haw of Egypt; though other ba&longs;haws,
and great men among the Turks, often
a&longs;&longs;i&longs;t in the expen&longs;e, or augment the value
of the yearly pre&longs;ent, by &longs;ilver lamps and
other ornaments. The whole are contained
in a magnificent mo&longs;que, in which
are &longs;u&longs;pended innumerable gold and silver
lamps, &longs;ome of which are kept continually
burning, and all are lighted on certain
public occa&longs;ions; and even upon
the approach of &longs;ome dignified pilgrim.
I had not acquired &longs;ufficient holine&longs;s, from
my ble&longs;&longs;ed companion, to be permitted to
enter this &longs;anctified building. The Arabians
are profu&longs;ely extravagant, in the titles
they be&longs;tow on the city of Medina;
calling it the mo&longs;t holy, mo&longs;t renowned,
mo&longs;t excellent city; the &longs;anctuary of the
ble&longs;&longs;ed fugitive; model of the refulgent
city in the cele&longs;tial paradi&longs;e; and &longs;ome
of the great vulgar &longs;uppo&longs;e, that when
-- 222 --
[figure description] Page 222.[end figure description]
the world &longs;hall be de&longs;troyed, this city,
with the prophet's remains, will be transported
by angels, with all its inhabitants,
to paradi&longs;e. We tarried there but a few
hours, as the great object of the devotions
of the pilgrims was Mecca. Pilgrimages
are performed to both places; but
tho&longs;e to Medina are not indi&longs;pen&longs;ably
nece&longs;&longs;ary; being directed by the book of
the companions of the apo&longs;tles, while
tho&longs;e to Mecca are enjoined by the alcoran
it&longs;elf. The former are &longs;uppo&longs;ed
meritorious, the latter nece&longs;&longs;ary to salvation.
I had the curio&longs;ity to inquire respecting
the prophet's coffin being suspended
in the air by a load &longs;tone, and
was a&longs;&longs;ured that this was a mere chri&longs;tian
obloquy, as no preten&longs;ions of any &longs;uch
&longs;u&longs;pen&longs;ion were ever made.
-- 223 -- p407-446
Tyler, Royall, 1757-1826 [1797], The Algerine captive, or, The life and adventures of Doctor Updike Underhill, six years a prisoner among the Algerines, volume 2 (, Walpole, NH) [word count] [eaf407v2].
|
