HOW THE MAHDI WORKS MIRACLES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3264, 13 March 1885, Page 3

HOW THE MAHDI WORKS MIRACLES.

(From the London Telegraph.) The "Mahdi," is a very able cunning man m all he does. He has a building erected into which he retires to pray, and where he sometimes receives and speaks to his followers. Here he tells his devotees he converses with the "El Hadra," or " Holy Presence," from whom he receives instruction, direction, and advice on all matters. The credulous Arabs squat around outaide this building m hundreds all day long, and when the Mahdi appears beg to be shown the "Presence," that they may die happy. "Oh, Prophet,": .they cry, "show us the El Hadra." With grave face Mahommed Achmed turns to some one and answers, " Wallah ! that is a very serious and difficult task you seek to impose on me." He is invariably! polite, and always calls everyone " Ya ! Sidi " («*)• If m a complaisant mood

the Mahdi pretends to yield to thoir request, he invites them .into his sanctuary, which is bare of furniture save a few carpets, skins, and mats, a brass bowl, and bras 3 tray. He then bids them search the appartment to see if there is anyone or anything beyond what meets their eyes . concealed therein. Their answer usually is, " What need to search, oh Prophet? There is nothing here." " Then leave me for a little whilst i pray," replies the Mahdi, "and perhaps the Spirit may grant your request." Meligy said, when the " Prophet " was left alone, he (the Mahdi) waited a little, then, lifting up the brass tray, which had coffee-cups standing on it, he poured a vessel of water into tho bowl, replacing the tray on the top, but not so as to be resting on the bowl, for the tray was held an inch or two above the bowl either by big pieces of loaf sugar or calcined lime. The water at once began to act upon whichever of these substances he employed, but before it ..had time to disintegrate them the people were re-admitted into the apartment, where all appeared as they hud seen it a minute before. They were soon alarmed and terrified by seeing the tray move, and hearing tho cups and dishes rattle. Sometimes a little smoke or steam accompanied these demonstrations, but on every occasion on which the ignorant Arabs and negroes witnessed them they shouted — " It is the Presence," and falling down with their foreheads pressed to the ground, remained m pious prayer until the Mahdi bade them leave him. Another plan he has for enlisting adherents is to covertly prepare a pit or hole m the ground, m which he sets matches and gunpowder. Haranguing the whole savage tribes who flock to hear and see him, he tells them they have nothing to fear from Turk or infidel. If necessary fire even could be sent to consume all their enemies, so that they would not need to lift their heads against them. Then, to show his power, the Mahdi drives his spear into the ground, selecting the spot prepared, and fire and smoke follow the blow. He tells them the fire will be confined, so as not to then and there burn them. Afterwards his confederates come to his aid and remove all traces of the prepared ground.