PREFACE. As the following pages may perhaps be found useful to Missionaries and others, who wish to make themselves acquainted with this question, I have thought it might not be amiss to give some notices and extracts from the controversy as it existed prior to the times of Mr. Martyn; especially as that controversy was prosecuted to a much greater length than his, and contains much valuable matter on the subject. It may also be desirable to know where books treating on this question are to be found; because we hear it sometimes affirmed, that a Missionary has not the means, in this country, of acquiring a deep and accurate insight into the opinions of the Mohammedans:-that Grotius, Sale, and others, have left us in the dark, as to their metaphysics, mysticism, &c. and therefore, that it is necessary, not only to learn their language in the East, but also their opinions. As far, however, as my knowledge of this subject goes, I must be allowed to express a different opinion, having no doubt, that both the languages and a opinions of the Orientals, can be learned in this country at as little expense, and in as little time as they can in the East, and at a much less risk. Our Public Libraries contain the very best books on every subject connected with Grammar, History, Ethics, Theology, Geography, and every other science; and to which, even in the East itself, access is seldom to be had. Valuable as the labours of Mr. Martyn certainly were, yet I have no doubt, that if he had passed a short time in this country in a preparatory course of Oriental reading, he would not only have done more than he has, but he would have done it better, and with far greater comfort to himself. Time was when the student of Oriental Literature was almost a singularity in our Universities: and such was the ascendancy obtained by classical and mathematical learning, that a young man must have had more than ordinary courage and self-denial, to engage in studies, which could afford him so little in prospect, with so much difficulty in their prosecution. The state of the case is now considerably altered A student may now commence the study of the Hebrew or Arabic without the fear of being cited as a monstrous singularity; or of being met at every turn with the appalling maxim, that Hebrew roots thrive best on barren ground. And, |