Library University of Texas Austin, Texas 1857. 115 are starting off for Tabreez, to consult | best interests of our work, even in the with him and see if anything can be done face of reproach, sacrifice and suffering. to induce the government to check the This severe ordeal will doubtless prove evil doings of its agent here, in regard a blessing to them and the great cause. to our mission. Mr. Khanikoff is per- While there is enough in our present sonally very kindly disposed towards us ; circumstances to lead us to draw somebut we are not yet informed that he is what largely on the resources of faith, authorized by his government to extend in regard to the future, there is still to us regular Russian protection. enough in our past experience of the It is reported that the Shah threatens divine goodness, nor less in the divine to make the contest with England a re- promises, and much also in the encourligious war, in case the English shall agement we have in our work, to rebuke enter his dominions. In such an issue, despondency, and constrain us still to (though we trust it will not occur,) when trust in the Lord. Sunshine and fair wild fanaticism would be rife throughout weather, we believe, will succeed the the kingdom, we shall of course need all pending storm, and a brighter sunshine the human succor we can properly obtain, than has yet dawned on Persia. The though our chief reliance must still be time of man's necessity is God's opporon the Lord. tunity. We will therefore hope for the best, while we try to be prepared for the The Schools-Cheerful Hope. worst. Indeed, if we and the churches Mr. Perkins mentions that Barth's Church feel and pray as we ought, may we not History and a Scripture Geography prepared hope that the months before us will be a by the missionaries have been printed. " We season of unprecedented blessings to are at present printing Doddridge's Rise and this people and this land. Progress.” Mr. Coan is referred to as having made a tour to the Southern extremity of the field,” where he has found " an open door among the scattered Nestorians of that LETTER FROM MR. WRIGHT, DECEMBER region.” A graduate of the seminary is 4, 1856. teaching a promising school in the district of Sooldooz. Correspondence with the Russian Consul. Our male seminary is unusually full, MENTION is made above, of the intended and there are more applicants for admis- visit of Messrs. Stoddard and Wright to the sion than can be received. The female Russian consulat Tabreez. This letter from Mr. seminary is also full, and was Wright which is dated at Tabreez, furnishes an account of the intercourse of our brethren more promising than now. Our village with Mr. Khanikoff, and more fully exhibits schools, being more subject to annoy- the present attitude of the Persian governance froni tools of the evil agent of the ment towards the mission, and the critical government, will be likely to suffer much position in which the schools, and indeed all the present season; yet it would not be the missionary operations, are now placed. It will serve to deepen the interest which has strange, if in this respect the Lord should long been felt in the circumstances of this deal far better with us than our fears. mission, and to increase the fervency of Preaching the gospel was never more prayers offered, that all these events may extensively and vigorously prosecuted by be overruled for good. There is still much the mission and its helpers than now, ground for hope that they will be thus overand never with more encouragement on ruled. the whole. It is due to our helpers and Mr. Stoddard and myself arrived at Nestorian friends to state, that in these Tabreez the 26th ultimo. On the 28th dubious times, they manifest very com we rode out to Nehmat Abad, a village mendable firmness in standing by the about ten miles from this city, where Mr. mission, and in seeking to promote the Khanikoff, the Russian consul, is at pres never a ent residing. We were surprised to to the people to go to their preaching. learn, that he had not applied to his (10.) That an Iltizam (written obligation) government for authority to protect us, be taken from the missionaries, that they as he expected we should make a formal will not send preachers to any village, or application to him, whenever we desired other place. (11.) That girls and boys it; whereas the subject had been only be not taught in the same schools.' brought to his attention in the course of 6 You see that in these orders there is a private correspondence. We shall of much ill will towards you, many course at once make the application. contradictions. (1.) The number of The consul was kind and cordial, and schools is thirty, but they are to be only we held a full and extended consultation in the places of the residence of the with him on the present state of our missionaries, which are two. (2.) The mission. He was ready to aid us unoffi- education of girls is forbidden, but it is cially, all in his power. On the 29th, he said that girls must not be taught with wrote to his Persian secretary in town, boys. (3.) It is not defined how many directing him to have an interview with scholars a school may contain. the Kâim Makâm, the Governor of Azir- “ If it meet your views, we will bring båjäm, and ascertain his disposition in to the notice of the Kaim Makâm these relation to the course of the Persian contradictions, but in any case I think agent in Oroomiah. On the 2d inst. we you will do well to confer with Meerza received from him the following note. Aly Akbar, to whom I write to call upon “ The Kâim Makâm has given to Meer- you, and to concert with you as to what za Aly Akbar, (the consul's Persian sec- it is best to do. I much regret that all retary,) an evasive reply, saying that he these delays will keep you here so long, did not believe the two Asker Khans (the but as to what you desire, if we arrive Persian agent and the Governor of Oroo- at any thing it is only by patience. miah) would allow themselves to do any 6 P. S. I have forgotten to inform you, thing, not strictly in accordance with the that the Kâim Makâm said, that if the orders from Tehran, which are, (1.) That two Asker Khans do any thing over and the permission granted to the American above the Firman, he is ready to prohibit missionaries to establish schools, be ex- them from it. This is not so badly tended only to the province of Oroomiah, devised to disembarrass himself of this and not to that of Salmas. (2.) That the affair, but in all reason this ground ought number of schools do not exceed thirty, to be abandoned, for it will bring you to and the number of scholars one hundred nothing.” and fifty, (without indicating whether it The consul's secretary, who brought is for each school, or for all the schools.) this note to us, stated, that the following (3.) That these scholars be of the male orders were also from Tehran. "(12.) sex. (4.) That the missionaries do not That the missionaries print no books induce any person to a change of reli- conflicting with the existing religion of gion. (5.) Their scholars have no right Persian subjects. (13.) That whenever to be sent to preach under their direction, teachers or preachers are employed, it be nor to be placed in that office. (6.) That done with the knowledge and approbathey do not give instruction to girls. tion of the Bishops, Mar Yoosuph and (7.) That they do not teach their own Mar Gabriel.' These Bishops, you are language to the scholars of the country, aware, are unprincipled, wicked men, but that they limit themselves to teach and have been for many years bitter the language of the country. (8.) That opposers of our work. there be no school any where , but in the "In addition to what the consul wrote, places of the residence of the American his secretary stated to us, that in accord-. missionaries. (9.) That it be forbidden ance with Mr. Khanikoff's suggestion, he If you told the Kâim Makàm that it was not orders to Asker Aly Khan to let things expedient for him to bear too hard upon remain as they were last year. 2. If he us, as we might be obliged to carry our refuse this, to lay before him the contracause to Tehran, where we should un- dictions which are in the Firman, and to doubtedly have the assistance of the request of him a delay, in order that these Russian Mission. The Kâim Makâm contradictions may be explained. This replied that he could not take the re- would be the best thing, for it is ten to sponsibility to revoke these orders; that one that he will not long remain here, when the Firman was sent to him two and that his successor will not dream years ago, he wrote to the government, of executing this order before he may raising objections to it, and intimating be influenced by your enemies. As to that we should get up an interest in that which concerns Tehran, I cannot opposition to it, which would make it say in advance, yea, or nay. difficult of execution; and the response wish, I will write to Mr. Anitchkoff, (the of the government was unequivocal, that Russian Minister at Tehran,) but in any the Firman must be executed. He case, I do not believe if one of you added, that if we thought best to go to presented himself at Tehran our Mission Tehran, we could of course do so. would refuse him its unofficial co-operaAs soon as Meerza Aly Akbar left us, tion with the Prime Minister. Confer we dispatched a messenger to the consul again with Meerza Aly Akbar. I have with the following queries. “1. Is there warmly re-committed your cause to him, any reason to hope, that the Kaim Mak- and you may be sure that all that is in åm will admit the orders of Asker Aly my power shall be done.” Khan to be suspended for the present We called immediately upon the conand things to go on as in years past, or sul's secretary and held a long confermay we regard his statement to your ence with him ; urging him, if possible, Meerza as a final one, to which he will to induce the Kâim Makâm at least to probably adhere? 2. What is your give an order suspending the execution opinion now as to the expediency of our of the Firman until the question could Carrying the matter to Tehran ? Is it be referred to Tehran. your impression that the Russian Mission posed to do. With an English army on at the capital would interest themselves the borders of the country we have in our cause so far as to make an appeal every thing to hope for from delay. to the King or Prime Minister, and to Dec. 7. The messenger for Erzroom endeavor to procure a revocation of the leaves to-day, and we forward our letters. Firman? Our business is as yet unfinished. We "P. S. It occurs to us to ask whether hope to obtain some order favorable to it is possible that the Kâim Makâm would us to the authorities in Oroomiah, though consent to instruct Asker Aly Khan to not of such a nature as we could wish. suspend the execution of the Firman It may put off the evil day, and in the till application be made at the capital ? meanwhile Providence may interpose in This would procure at least a delay of our behalf. several months and give us a quiet win GAWAR. The next morning we received the following note from the consul in reply. LETTER FROM MR. RHEA, NOVEMBER 8, 1856. "I hasten to reply to your note of to-day, SINCE his return from Oroomiah, (June 1,) which I have just received. For the Mr. Rhea had enjoyed, unrestricted, the moment, I believe that which it is best privilege of laboring in the villages on the to do is, 1. To return to the charge upon Sabbath, and with but one exception, had the Kâim Makâm, to engage him to give | visited from one to three villages each Lord's This he pro ter." nd repass day. The helpers also had rarely been absent | times proposing questions which showed from the villages. “I can only hope," he that they were not merely giving the writes, “ that these labors, feeble and unworthy enough, will not in the end be in vain. hearing ear, but also the understanding So far as I can see, there is no change for the heart. During the three months, we had better." between five and six hundred, who were guests in our house, and who heard, Preaching to Travelers. many for the first time, the glad tidings For three months, this season, up to of salvation through Christ. The exthe time when Mrs. Rhea and myself pense attending this department has left home to make a short tour in the been about thirty dollars. May we not mountains, I found considerable, and I hope that some, if not many, have retrust not unprofitable, missionary em- ceived the word into good and honest ployment in meeting with and preaching hearts. These efforts have at least had to the travelers who pass this the effect to draw the mountaineers into way for purposes of trade. I had often closer sympathy with our station, to restood at my window and seen them move many of their unfounded prejufrom the different districts passing in dices, and to secure for our helpers who large companies, and longed to sound go among them, a more cordial recepin their ears the good news of salva- tion. tion through Christ. But they were in haste and had no disposition, of their own accord, to call upon us, and receive Southern Irmenian Mission.— Turkey. instruction. If I invited them to our house, it would have been rude, accord Division of the Armenian Mission. ing to the universal custom of the coun- As is generally known, it was sometime try, to have sent them away without since decided to be expedient that the Armeplacing bread before them. As this nian mission should be divided into two, the Northern and Southern. At a regular meetcould be done with so little ing of delegates, held at Aintab in November inconvenience, and as it promised to be last, the Southern mission was duly organa hopeful department of missionary work ized. It embraces the following stations, viz. thus to meet the mountaineers from dif- Aintab, Aleppo, Antioch, and Marash. Oorfa ferent districts and various villages, I is also to be occupied as a station as soon as ted Mr. ventured to try the experiment, and thus possible, the mission having desig Nutting to that place, with the expectation, far it has appeared to work well. Mr. however, that he will remain at Aintab until Perkins, when visiting with us in the spring. In regard to that place, the commitsummer, became much interested in tee on the proper supply of the field, write: these mountain travelers, and strongly “At the annual meeting of the Armenian urged the experiment. mission in May, 1854, it was voted that Oorfa demanded two missionaries; and certainly Many did not find time or inclination the necessity of the place has not become to call, while many others were glad to less since God has blessed the feeble and rest themselves and their mules, sit in interrupted labors which have been expended the shade, eat morsel of brea and there to the calling out of a little church of listen to a portion of the Scriptures, as six members, who need, and long, and beg read and explained. We had an average for some one to teach them the way of God more perfectly; that they may be built up in of about eight a day. On some days the faith, and become to the thirty thousand we had none, and on others as many as of Oorfa, and the other thousands of the field thirty. Not unfrequently we had a little of which Oorfa is the centre, what the church company of thirty mountaineers from at Aintab, organized with about the same number in 1848, has been to the whole field different villages seated in our yard dur of our mission-a light in the darkness—a ing our evening service, listening with living witness to the truth of the gospel. apparent interest to the truth, and often Every member of our mission felt, that even expense and . may be. with our present number of missionaries in as there is no hope of or wish for his the field one should be designated to Oorfa, wife's return, we cannot expect that the and that our brethren there should be imme. relation so happily instituted between diately informed of such designation, that Polat and the Kessab brethren, will be their hope, long deferred, might not be utterly extinguished. Yet, though the missionary a permanent one, as he cannot be a long designated was willing and desirous to pro- time separated from his children. This ceed at once to his station, it was thought by we all deeply regret. He seems to be all, that the great amount of missionary labor just the man needed in that church. to be performed at Aintab, particularly the He is a strong man, with a strong proimportance of carrying on the system of theological instruction, plainly required that Dr. pensity to lead, and generally leads in Pratt should not remain alone through the the right direction, so that any erratic winter." tendencies among the people are checked; The mission also, “in view of the many and he is very useful and acceptable to openings in the villages around Antioch, and the church and congregation. I have the wants of the thousands of Armenians in strong hope, that if he were to remain, Adana and its vicinity," appeal to the Prudential Committee for the immediate desig both he and the people would soon get nation of another' missionary to that portion into the spirit of the peculiar relation of of the field. pastor and flock. But if God closes up the way, we ought to be very thankful ANTIOCH. for an unmistakable expression of his will, however great our disappointment LETTER FROM MR. MORGAN, DECEMBER 18, 1856. MR. MORGAN had recently spent two The congregation there is up to its months at Aintab, and with reference to the highest number, and seems to be pergreat work which has been accomplished vaded by a deep interest in spiritual there he remarks: “It is useless to attempt things. I could not but notice the to describe the emotions we feel on entering thoughtful, solemn expression upon the that church and looking about on that great faces of many as they walked out of congregation. To see them unite in the ser church after the service. vices of the sanctuary with so much fervor, and at times tenderness, is, I am sure, one tells me that this has been the case for of the most gratifying sights to the Christian some weeks. The school is in a most in the whole East." gratifying condition, numbering about The Work at Kessab and Vicinity. eighty pupils. The teacher, a young man from Killis, gives great satisfaction. When Mr. Morgan wrote he had just returned from a visit of a few days at Kessab, There are several young men of families where he found many things of an encourag, attending regularly, and pursuing their ing and some of a trying character. He studies with great zeal, who seem to be actuated not so much by a desire to I am sorry to be obliged to say, that acquire knowledge, as to gain something our hopes of a change in the feelings of that they can use for the spread of the the pastor's wife were not well founded. gospel. They expressed great thankShe did appear well for a time, but if the fulness that they were enjoying such Spirit was really striving with her, she privileges, and begged, with earnestness, grieved him away and became worse an interest in my prayers. than before. After giving her husband But better than this school, in my all the trouble possible, she determined estimation, is the movement among the to return to Aintab. The pastor is in There are more than eighty many respects left in an uncomfortable of them now learning to read. The condition, yet on the whole he is, I priest, Margos, goes about from house think, able to give himself more quietly to house giving them their lessons, and to his work than before ; but, of course, they are taking hold of study with great The pastor writes : women. |