to fear but little from such contemptible efforts, which, even had they been
known to his followers, would most probably have served only to confirm them in
their unbelief. In truth, the spirit of the age was adverse to any spiritual
success. Clogged and obscured by error, the Church, as well in the East as in
the West, had abandoned her vantage ground, and what but defeat and dishonour
were to be looked for? We are not prepared, indeed, to say that the entire
labours of the Christian world, from the time of Mohammed to the Reformation,
were of this futile character. On the contrary, we believe that devoted
Christians, during this interval, frequently and with zeal attempted the
conversion of the Mussulmans ; but it is a melancholy reflection that we have
not a single account of their success, or of any beneficial effects resulting
from their efforts. We find, it is true, in the twelfth century, the eastern
Emperor erasing from his creed the anathema against the god of Mohammed, as
likely to offend those Mohammedans who had embraced, or were disposed to
embrace, Christianity; but, except for such transient hints, we should hardly be
aware that the controversy was going on; no fruits at least give token of
vitality.1