USA Souvenir 1989 — Page 57
truth to hundreds of hearts , whi ch it could not have reached otherwise. More than twenty years ago I started my corre s ponden ce with him and ever since then I have been deeply affected by the fearless earnestne ss with which he continued to spread the truth in the pursuance of his purpose. Without a doubt God Almighty had chosen him for thi s great enterprise which he fulfilled comple t ely. I am sure that he will enjoy the companionship of the saints and prophet s in heaven. " Mr. Webb followed this letter with another one which was written only four days later, in which he repeated his condolences and sent his greetings to Hazrat Haji Hakeem Maulvi Nurud Din Khalifatul M as ih I, may A hi s t o ri c photog ra p h of ea rl y m e m be r s a nd mi ssiona ri es 57 Allah be pleased with him, expressing his conviction that Hazrat Maulvi Sahib's efforts towards the promotion of Islam would be crowned with success. Mr. Webb became the most prominent contemporary defender of Islam according to a historian of Islam in America , Professor Haddad. Mr. Webb wrote three books on Islam including a prayer manual. According to this researcher , Mr. Webb spoke to famous audiences including Mark Twain. He established seven branches or circles of American Islamic Propaganda in various east Coast and Midwestern cities. Before his death in 1916, Islam began to emerge as a religion in America.