day by seventy thousand angels of the highest order. They were at this very time making their holy circuit, and Mahomet, joining with them, walked around it seven times.
Gabriel could go no further. Mahomet now traversed, quicker than thought, an immense space; passing through two regions of dazzling light, and one of profound darkness. Emerging from this utter gt00m, he was filled with awe and terror at finding himself in the presence of Allah, and but two bow shots from his throne. The face of the Deity was covered with twenty thousand veils, for it would have annihilated man to look upon its glory. He put forth his hands, and placed one upon the breast and the other upon the shoulder of Mahomet, who felt a freezing chill penetrate to his heart and to the very marrow of his bones. It was followed by a feeling of ecstatic bliss, while a sweetness and fragrance prevailed around, which no one can understand but those who have been in the divine presence.
Mahomet now received from the Deity himself many oi the doctrines contained in the Koran; and fifty prayers were prescribed as the daily duty of all true believers.
When he descended from the divine presence and again met with Moses, the latter demanded what Allah had required. "That I should make fifty prayers every day."
"And thinkest thou to accomplish such a task? I have made the experiment before thee. I tried it with the children of Israel, but in vain, return, then, and beg a diminution of the task."
