THE MAHDI.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1138, 22 February 1884, Page 3

THE MAHDI.

The Vienna correspondent of the Times writing on Gth December, stated The clerical newspaper Vaterland has published a detailed account of the rolgious and political revolution in the Soudau by a Catholic missionary, father John Dichtl. who was a witness of the events in that district until April last. According to his description the Mahdi, Mohamod Aimed by name, ernes from Dougnla. He is about forty years old, tall, and powerfully built, his skin being of a redd ish-black hue. He and his two brothers were for a loug time employed near Klianoum as ship carpenters in the building of Ni'e boats. But he felt another vocation, and went to a Sheikh on the island of Tuti, near Khartoum, a little to the north of the confluence of the White and Bine Nth s, to study with him. Some years afterwards lie to k an inferior degree and began the Ife of a dervish of the strictest nrde". He retired to the island of Kana on the While Nile, an I there took up Ina aho 'e in a dri"d up cistern. He never left this habitation for six years, except on Fridays to go to the mosque, and then retired to his den. In this way he obtained an editor of sanctity over the whole country. Everywhere reports were circula e i of his contemplative life and his fasting, of his weep ng as he read the Koran, an I of his kindness to all whi approached him. A practice arose to know this wondcful man, and to ask his advice in reli.inus matters. Large crowds of pilgrims came to st-e him, who, on their leturn, spread his fame. When he was widely kno-vu as a saint, and was sure of his influence, he announced his mssion to a large assembly of Mahoiuedans, ‘Twice al.ealy.’hu said, *1 have been called upon by the Archangel (labile! to draw the sword of Faith fiom the sheath, in Older to reform tile had Moslem, and fount a Mah' me lan world-empire, which will secure ite ge eral peace of the world.’ ”