command from God to admonish his near relations[1], and at an entertainment expressly given for the purpose, he explicitly announced his mission, and invited them, in glowing language, to participate in the promised blessings: his overtures were treated with ridicule, and indignantly rejected; the youthful Ali alone remaining firm to the Prophet. Abu-Taleb remonstrated with them on the dangers which they incurred by such conduct; but enthusiasm, such as theirs, was impervious ta reason or argument: the venerable man, notwithstanding, being still solicitous for their safety, protected them by his influence, when he could no longer benefit them by admonition[2]. The Koreish, from enmity to the Prophet, persecuted his followers, but this ended in the usual method, of rather strengthening than impeding the cause: the work of proselytism gradually advanced, and the number of con-
