’"True, my Lord,” answered the afflicted man; “I am sensible of all you say; but, I do assure you, private prayer has been tried for my relief by many individuals of your holy profession, and I have still to mourn my calamity.  I thought when so many holy persons were assembled together, the united prayer—­in accordance with our Prophet’s commands—­offered up at this time, would certainly be received at the throne of Mercy.  I entreat then, at the hands of this venerable assembly, the aid I require.”

’The pretended Soofie looked haughtily on the sick man, and bade him retire to his home; he should have a prayer offered, he might depend, but it must be in private.  The sufferer was still importunate, and urged every argument he could command, to induce the inexorable Soofie to allow the present assembly to offer a prayer on the spot for his recovery; but nothing he could urge availed with the proud Soofie, who at length grew angry even to the use of bitter words.

’Shah Sherif ood deen observed in silence the scene before him; at length he ventured (in the most respectful terms) to suggest to the heads of the assembly the propriety of vouchsafing the poor man’s request; and hinted that, the prayer of some one more pure of heart than the rest might effectually reach the throne of Mercy in behalf of the supplicant.

’"And pray,” said the leader, rising haughtily, “who gave you leave to suggest or recommend to your superiors in knowledge and virtue?  Is not our determination sufficient, that you, insignificant being! should presume to teach us what we ought to do?—­you can know nothing of the Durweish’s powerful prayers, nor the mystery of a Soofie’s holy calling.”

’"I am, indeed, a very ignorant and unworthy creature,” replied Shah Sherif, “and acknowledge my great presumption in daring to speak before so many of my superiors in knowledge and virtue; but we are told in our hudeeths (true speech) that the prayers of many hearts may prevail in a good cause, whilst singly offered the same prayer might fail,” The proud Soofie’s anger seemed to increase as the Durweish spoke; he bade him keep silence, and reviled him with many bitter words, which the good Shah received with his usual humility and forbearance.  At length, the Shah looked attentively at the Soofie, who had thus rebuked and insulted him, and said, “I will believe, Sir, you are the Soofie you aspire to be thought among your fellow-men, if you will immediately offer up your single prayer, by which the suffering man may be relieved; for we know such prayers have been answered by the gracious Giver of all good.”

’"What do you know of the powerful prayer of the Soofie?” replied the proud man, “I suspect you to be an impostor in your humble exterior.”—­“No, " said the Shah, “I am but a poor beggar, and a humble, the very humblest servant of God.”—­“You pretend to much humility,” retorted the Soofie, “suppose we see one of your miraculous works in answer to your prayer; it would please us to witness what you can do.”