CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL
OF
POPULAR
LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART.
CONTENTS
THE GREEN FLAG OF THE PROPHET.
FROM DAWN TO SUNSET.
ITALIAN VAGRANT CHILDREN.
MAJOR HAMMOND'S RING.
LOST IN MAGELLAN'S STRAITS.
THE MONTH: SCIENCE AND ARTS.
THE DESERTED GARDEN.
| No. 718. | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1877. | Price 1½d. |
THE GREEN FLAG OF THE PROPHET.
Since the commencement of the war betweenRussia and Turkey, the world has several timesbeen startled by the announcement that the 'Flagof the Prophet' was about to be unfurled in thestreets of Stamboul. Such an event, if it shouldhappen (which may heaven avert), would proclaima crusade in which all true Mussulmans would bebound to take an active part, and to fight againstChristianity in every part of the world. They maybe in India, Arabia, Egypt, or wherever else theirscattered race has found a home; the raising of thegreen standard is a call which none may disobeywithout, as the Koran lays it down, sacrificing allhis hopes of Paradise.
This fearful appeal to all the worst passions ofthe Eastern races hangs like a menace over theMohammedan world; and if the word was onceuttered and the dread flag unfurled, there is notelling to what sanguinary excesses it might leadan enthusiastic and half-savage people. It may beof interest to our readers if, under these circumstances,we endeavour to make them acquaintedwith the origin and history of a banner which hasnot seen the light of day since the Empress Catharineof Russia attempted to reinstate Christianityin the City of the Sultans, and which once unfurled,would set a whole world ablaze.
There have been many flags or signals used byvarious nations at different crises in their historyto incite the peoples to battle on behalf of religions,dynasties, and ideas; but none has attainedto the fearful notoriety which appertains to theterrible Flag of the Prophet, which is really abanner of blood, for it dispels the idea of mercyfrom the minds and hearts of its followers, andgives no quarter to man, woman, or child.
The Red Cross banner of the Christian Crusaderswas an emblem of chivalry, mercy, gentleness, andlove; but under its folds many a dark deed andmany a shameless act were committed; and it wasunderstood by the members of the Mohammedanfaith to mean nothing less than the utter exterminationof their race. This feeling, with its consequenthatred of Christianity, shews itself even atthis advanced period in the wor