Besort to teaching and preaching, did not, during the first twelve years of Mahomet's ministry, exceed a few hundreds. It is true that the soil at Mecca was stubborn and (unlike that of Judaea) wholly unprepared The cause also, at times, became the object of sustained and violent op position. Even so much of success was couse quently, under the peculiar circumstances, remark able. But it was by no means singular. The pro gress fell far short of that made by Christianity during the corresponding period of its existence,1 and indeed by many reformers who have been the preachers of anew faith. It gave no promise what ever of the marvellous spectacle that was about to follow.