The Hand of Providence

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Joseph Harvey Ward. The Hand of Providence

CHAPTER I. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND APOSTASY OF THE EARLY CHURCH

CHAPTER II. MAHOMET

CHAPTER III. THE SARACENIC CONQUEST

CHAPTER IV. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SARACENS

CHAPTER V. REMARKABLE CITIES OF MEDIEVAL TIMES

CHAPTER VI. RELIC-WORSHIP, PILGRIMAGES AND CRUSADES

CHAPTER VII. THE DAWN OF MODERN INTELLIGENCE

CHAPTER VIII. THE MORNING OF MODERN TIMES

CHAPTER IX. INFLUENCE OF ISRAEL—DISCOVERERS AND REFORMERS

CHAPTER X. RESULTS OF THE REFORMATION

CHAPTER XI. ANCIENT AMERICAN CIVILIZATION

CHAPTER XII. THE COLONIZATION OF ACADIA

CHAPTER XIII. COLONIZATION OF NEW ENGLAND

CHAPTER XIV. THE CONFLICT IN THE NETHERLANDS

CHAPTER XV. EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY

CHAPTER XVI. MODERN ENGLAND AND HER COLONIES

CHAPTER XVII. THE EVE OF REVOLUTION

CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOYS OF '76

CHAPTER XIX. PROGRESS OF LIBERTY IN EUROPE

CHAPTER XX. FORCES OF CIVILIZATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

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Far away in the south-western part of Asia, lies a strange and peculiar country called Arabia. It is bounded on the north by Syria, on the east by the Persian Gulf, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the west by the Red Sea, and comprises more than a million of square miles, or about twelve times the area of Utah.

This vast region possesses a diversified landscape. In some places vast sandy deserts stretch away farther than the eye can reach; in others, immense piles of dark volcanic rock rear aloft their barren peaks, around whose base the dry, hot winds have drifted the sands of the desert for untold centuries. However, in the secluded valleys of the mountains, and along the base of the great mountain chains, may be found many fertile tracts, where, watered by pure and never-failing mountain streams, and warmed by the rays of a tropical sun, the earth produces in abundance nearly every kind of grain, vegetable, fruit, flower and aromatic shrub that can conduce to the happiness of man. Indeed, some portions are so wonderfully productive, that in ancient as well as modern times it has received the significant title of "Araby the blest."

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The book containing the writings and revelations of Mahomet is commonly called the Koran. However, Mahomet should not be held responsible for all that the Koran contains, as there is abundant evidence that it has been changed and corrupted in many places since his death.

Prayer, fasting and acts of charity are inculcated by it. Merchants were especially commanded to perform acts of charity, as they were the class who were most liable to the sins of deception and extortion. The creed which all were required to believe, was simply, "There is one God, and Mahomet is His prophet."

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