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According to Martinicus, scorpions have nippers, or pincers, with which they keep hold of
what they seize -- after they have wounded it with their sting. Like the scorpion, Muhammad stung
the subjects of his proselytism, and infused the poison of his doctrines, and continued to hold them
by the force of arms, until it had affected the whole man, and the subject settled down in the belief
of his delusive errors. Wherever his arms triumphed, there his religion was imposed on men --
whether they believed it or not.

The successors of the prophet propagated his faith and followed his example; and such was
the rapidity of their progress, that in the space of a century Persia, Syria, Egypt, Africa and Spain
had submitted to the victorious arms of the Arabian and Saracen conquerors.

Verse 4: "They were instructed not to harm the grass on the earth, any green plant or any
tree, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads."

In verse 4 of Revelation 9 we learn that protection was to be given to the true people of
YEHOVAH during the time of this plague -- for it was to fall only upon "those men who have not
the seal of God upon their foreheads." However, the mention of the grass, plants and trees not be-
ing harmed brings us to an incredible fulfillment found in Gibbons The Decline and Fall of the
Roman Empire.

The Muhammadan era began July 16, A.D. 622. In the ten years that passed between that
date and the day of his death, June 7, A.D. 632, Muhammad made the conquest, and secured the al-
legiance, of Arabia. He was immediately succeeded by Abubeker as Khalif, Caliph, or Com-
mander of the Faithful; and with his accession the real conquests and spread of Islam began. And
as to that which "was commanded them," it is found in the speech of Abubeker to the first army of
Muhammadans that he sent forth. For "no sooner had Abubeker restored the unity of faith and gov-
ernment than he dispatched a circular letter to the Arabian tribes" as follows --

This is to acquaint you that I intend to send the true believers into Syria to take it out of
the hands of the infidels, and I would have you know that the fighting for religion is an
act of obedience to God.

Writes Gibbon:

His messengers returned with the tidings of pious and martial ardor, which they had
kindled in every province; the camp of Medina was successfully filled with the intrepid
bands of the Saracens, who panted for action, complained of the heat of the season and
the scarcity of provisions, and accused, with impatient murmurs, the delays of the caliph.
As soon as their numbers were complete, Abubeker ascended the hill, reviewed the men,
the horses, and the arms, and poured forth a fervent prayer for the success of their under-
taking. His instructions to the chiefs of the Syrians were inspired by the warlike fanati-
cism which advances to seize, and affects to despise, the objects of earthly ambition.

To the assembled hosts, Abubeker said --

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