98

THE MOHAMMEDAN CONTROVERSY

sincere in his inquiries. As to his book, part of which I have read, I think he will find that he is highly mistaken." 

"The other day I saw two Mohammedans disputing among themselves about the objections contained in the Mîzân-ul-Haqq, regarding the miracles of Mohammed. One of them was endeavouring to solve the difficulties; but the other was altogether dissatisfied with his explanations." 

The same intelligent Hindoo, with another Hindoo coadjutor (both of them, by the way, specimens of the good effects that may be produced by the system of education pursued in our Government Colleges), has himself entered the lists with the Mohammedans. The following account of a controversy held by them with the Cazee of Dehli, is extracted from the same report:—

A Controversy between a Hindoo and the Cazee of Dehli. — This is a very interesting argument: it is the one referred to at page 12 of last year's report, and was made over to the Committee by the Hindoo, who is desirous that it should be printed. It is entirely aggressive on the part of the Hindoo, who carries the battle into Mohammedan territory; the chief ground occupied, being the insufficiency of the evidences or the miracles alleged to have been wrought by Mohammed. The argument opens with a short paper by the Hindoo, who states his doubts, especially as regards the "splitting of the moon," and asks for evidence. The Cazee answers in a paper of considerable length, endeavouring to, bolster up the tottering edifice of traditions, and explain away the damaging admissions which pervade the Coran. The Hindoo rejoins in a long paper, in which he completely demolishes the Cazee's argument, proceeds to impugn the morality of the Coran, and closes with a decided expression of preference for Christianity and its evidences. The Cazee made no reply.

The Committee are preparing a short paper by way of conclusion, and opportunity will be taken to add something on the insufficiency of the historical evidence in support of the Mohammedan traditions. The Committee trust that this publication will be received with acceptance by the Hindoo community, and with interest by all. 

The above work is now in the press: and a most important document was placed in the hands of the Committee in time to be added as an appendix. It consists of twenty - three questions sent by a Mohammedan of Kerach to his brother Moslems, with the view of eliciting any possible proofs of the truth of Islam. The paper opens thus:— "I was born a Mohammedan, and, at, my twenty-fourth year, am still of the