The Voice Of Freedom

Progress of Reform.

The brutal barbarism of Mahommedan rule has, during the present century, been greatly modified and ameliorated by the gradual inroads of European civilization. Peace set the better elements of humanity in motion; and the facilities of communication which the present generation has bro't into being, have shown the eastern world how much it had fallen into arrear with the wisdom of the west. Mussulman pride was reproved and convinced by the perpetual presence of superior Christian intelligence. Steamers upon the Nile and the Euphrates—chemical works, and polytechnic schools at Memphis—steam engines and lightning-conductors on Mount Lebanon,—Arabia, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Syria—the Bedouin of the desert, the Khurd of the mountain, the Turkoman of the plain, clad in garments shipped from the Mersey or the Clyde—speak more for the progress of knowledge and of felicity than the triumphs of the most fortunate conqueror, and prove that prejudice and intolerance have been giving way to the benignant influence of commerce. In many parts of the East—(let many parts of England hear the glad tidings, and act accordingly) toleration has completely triumphed. Mahomet Ali has elevated Christians to the highest functions of government. Even in Turkey instruction in many of the mechanical arts and sciences has been sought for among European Giaours.— In Egypt and Syria a man may travel in Christian costume with perfect security; and the distinctions of dress which for so many generations represented the degradation of one-half of society, and the domination of the other, have for the most part been removed.—Christian Reformer.