History of the missions of the American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions to the oriental churches, Volume I.

by Rufus Anderson

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I. PALESTINE.—1819-1824.

The First Missionaries.—Their Instructions.—Reception by other
Missionaries.—The Seven Churches.—Temporary Separation.—Mr.
Parsons at Jerusalem.—Disturbing Influence from the Greek
Revolution.—Returns to Smyrna.—Their Voyage to Alexandria.—Death
and Character of Mr. Parsons.—Mr. Fisk goes to Malta.—Printing
Establishment.—Rev. Jonas King becomes Mr. Fisk's Associate.—Rev.
Joseph Wolff.—The Missionaries in Egypt.—Crossing the Desert.—At
Jerusalem.—Beirût and Lebanon.—The Emir Beshir.—An interesting
Convocation.—Journals and Labors.—Jerusalem revisited.—Arrest of
Messrs. Fisk and Bird.—Visit to Hebron.—Sale of Scriptures.
—Return to Beirût.—Communion of Saints.—Journey to Damascus and
Aleppo.

CHAPTER II. PALESTINE.—1824-1843.

Proclamation of the Grand Seignior.—Jerusalem again visited.
—Absurd Reports.—Disturbed State of the Country.—Mr. King's
Farewell Letter.—He visits Smyrna and Constantinople.
—Contributions in France and England.—Agency among the Churches.
—Sickness and Death of Mr. Fisk.—His Character.—Jerusalem
reoccupied.—Danger to the Mission Families.—Death of Mrs.
Thomson.—New Missionaries.—Death of Dr. Dodge.—The Cholera.
—Station at Jerusalem suspended.—Opinion of Dr. Hawes.—Burying
Ground on Mount Zion.

CHAPTER III. SYRIA.—1823-1828.

Origin of the Mission to Syria.—Beirût.—Studies of the
Missionaries.—Native Helpers.—Papal Opposition.—Hopeful View.
—Education.—First Acquaintance with Asaad Shidiak.—Greek
Invasion.—Providential Interposition.—Pious Natives.—Dionysius at
Jerusalem.—A Prayer-meeting.—The Mission Church.—Works in the
Native Languages.—Persecution of Mr. Bird.—Apprehension of War.
—Suspension of the Mission.—Parting Scene.

CHAPTER IV. SYRIA.—THE MARTYR OF LEBANON.—1826-1830.

Significance of the Narrative.—Early History of Asaad.—Becomes
known to the Missionaries.—Employed by Mr. King.—Prepares an
Answer to Mr. King's "Farewell Letter."—His Conversion.—Employed
by the Mission.—Stands on Protestant Ground.—His Constitutional
Weakness.—Puts Himself in the Patriarch's Power.—His Boldness.
—His Escape.—His Account of his Experiences.—First Effort to
Recapture him.—Second and successful Effort.—Is taken to the
Patriarch.—Imprisoned and in Chains.—The Family relent.—Barbarous
Treatment.—Increased Cruelty.—Time and Manner of his Death.—A
Martyr.—Exploration by an English Merchant.—Remarks on the
Narrative.

CHAPTER V. THE PRESS AT MALTA.—1822-1833.

Why at Malta.—Successful Publications.—Publication of the
Armeno-Turkish New Testament.—Extent of the Publications.—Singular
Use of Alphabets and Languages.—Preaching at Malta.—Missionary
Fellowship.—The Press removed to Smyrna.

CHAPTER VI. PRELIMINARY EXPLORATIONS.—1828-1831.

Need of Information.—The Author's Visit to the Mediterranean. —Results of Malta Conferences.—Explorers of Armenia.—Preparations for the Tour.—The Route.—Sojourn at Shoosha.—German Colonies. —Sufferings from Illness.—Kindness of the English Embassy in Persia.—The Nestorians of Former Ages.—How Attention was first drawn to the Nestorians.—A Week among the Nestorians.—The Published Researches.—Religious Condition of the Armenians.

CHAPTER VII. THE ARMENIANS.—1827-1835.

Effect of Mr. King's "Farewell Letter."—School of Peshtimaljian.
—Its Influence on the Priesthood.—The Erasmus of the Armenians.—A
Preparedness for Reformation.—Commencement of the Mission.
—Splendid Scenery.—Destructive Conflagration.—Schools for the
Greeks.—The Armenian Patriarch.—Accessions to the Mission.—Outset
of the Mission characterized.—Unexpected Obstacles.—Remarkable
Converts.—Removal of the Press.—Supply of School-books.—High
School.—New Missionaries.—New Stations.

CHAPTER VIII. THE ARMENIANS.—1836-1840.

Trebizond.—Favoring Circumstances.—Improvement in the Publishing
Department.—Progressive Civilization among the Turks.—Papal
Opposition.—Signs of Progress.—Education of Women.—Active
Usefulness of Der Kevoork.—Death of Peshtimaljian.—Deaths by the
Plague.—Missionary Convocation.—Remarkable Occurrence.—Serope at
Broosa.—Vertanes and Haritûn.—Year of Persecution.—Causes of the
Persecution.—The Sultan enlisted.—Deposition of the Patriarch
Stepan.—Banishment of Hohannes.—Zeal of the Persecutors.
—Coöperation of the Greek Synod.—An Imperial Firman.—Efforts to
Expel the Missionaries.—Divine Providence effectually interposes.
—The Power of the Persecution broken.—Hohannes recalled.—The
Persecutors brought low.—Stepan restored to Office.

CHAPTER IX. THE ARMENIANS.—1840-1844.

Pledges of the New Sultan.—Boarding School at Bebek.—Station
commenced at Erzroom.—Interest at Nicomedia.—The Gospel introduced
into Adabazar.—Danger from the Papacy.—Favorable Reaction.—New
Missionaries.—Publications.—Scripture Translations.—Education.
—Signs of Progress.—Visit of Vertanes to Nicomedia.—Awakening at
Adabazar.—New Missionaries.—An Anxious Sinner seeking Rest.
—Unexpected Opposition.—Hohannes goes to the United States.—A
Native Mission.—Prayer Meetings.—Publications.—Preaching to
Women.—A Turkish Execution.—Efforts of Sir Stratford Canning.—A
Second Execution.—The Ambassador's Demand on the Sultan.—The Death
Penalty no more to be Inflicted.—Importance of the Pledge.
—Sufferings from Persecution.—Changes in the Mission.—Case of Mr.
Temple.—Death of Mrs. Van Lennep.

CHAPTER X. GREECE AND THE GREEKS.—1824-1844.

The Greek Mind as affected by Circumstances.—Death of Mr. Gridley.
—Education of Greek Youth.—Result of Experience.—Marriage of Mr.
King.—His School in Poros.—He removes to Athens.—Change in the
Government.—A New Missionary.—High Schools.—Station at Argos.
—Power of the Hierarchy.—Free Circulation of the New Testament.
—Opposition to the Old Testament.—Intrigues against the Mission.
—Success notwithstanding.—Station on Scio.—Argos relinquished.
—Removal from Scio to Ariopolis.—Serious Embarrassments.—Death of
Mrs. Houston.—Religious Toleration and Political Parties.—Growth
of Intolerance.—The Station abandoned.—The Retiring Missionaries.
—Station among the Greeks of Cyprus.—Explorations.—Ignorance of
the People.—Insalubrious Climate.—Friendly Disposition of the
People.—Death of Mr. Pease.—Relinquishment of the Station.—Athens
the only Station retained in Greece.—Preaching and the Press.
—Labors among the Greeks of Turkey.—Why in great measure
Discontinued.—Valuable Results.

CHAPTER XI. THE NESTORIANS.—1833-1836.

Commencement of the Mission.—Instructions to the Missionary.—Rise
of the Nestorians.—Their Missions.—Destroyed by the Mohammedans.
—The Overland Journey of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins.—Hardships endured
in Russia.—Kindness of the British Embassy in Persia.—Remarkable
Escape.—Friends in Need.—The Field to be Occupied.—Preliminary
Measures.—Additional Laborers.—The Province of Oroomiah.—Dr.
Grant's Medical Practice.—Recollections of Dr. Grant.—When a
Missionary Physician is most valuable.—A Nestorian Wedding.
—Reducing the Language to Writing.—Rise of the Seminary for
Males.—School for Moslem Youths.—Sickness in the Mission.

CHAPTER XII. THE NESTORIANS.—1836-1840.

Escape from Assassination.—New Missionaries.—First Impressions.
—Too much Pecuniary Aid given to the People.—Native Helpers.
—Eminent Qualities of Mrs. Grant.—She commences the Female
Seminary.—Her Death.—Priest Dunka.—Robert Glen.—Schools.
—Scarcity of Scriptures in Ancient Syriac.—Dr. Grant's Desire to
enter Koordistan from the East.—Authorized to enter from the West.
—An Arduous Journey.—Battle of Nizib.—Consequent Anarchy at
Diarbekir.—Mr. Homes.—Dr. Grant goes to Mosul.—Starts for
Koordistan.—Is challenged from the Rocks.—Welcomed by the
Mountaineers.—Boldly enters Tiary.—Pleasing Meditations.—His
Reception there.—A Learned Priest.—How Received by Mar Shimon.
—The Patriarch described.—Old Parchment Copy of the New
Testament.—Visits Nûrûllah Bey.—His return to Oroomiah.—New
Missionaries.—Arrival of Press and Type.—Bold Inroad of Jesuits.
—Counteractive Influences.—Demand for Preaching.—What was the
Calamity of the Nestorians.

CHAPTER XIII. THE MOUNTAIN NESTORIANS.—1840-1844.

Invitations from the Patriarch.—Dr. Grant resolves to return Home
through the Mountains.—Ten Days at Julamerk.—Womanly Forethought.
—Arrival at Boston.—Work on the Ten Tribes of Israel.
—Missionaries for Koordistan.—Dr. Grant returns through Van.
—Again with the Patriarch.—Painful Tidings.—Hastens to Mosul.
—Journey of the New Missionaries.—Death of Mr. Mitchell.
—Sufferings and Death of Mrs. Mitchell.—Seasonable Arrival of Dr.
Grant.—Reflections.—Reception by the Jacobites.—A Syrian Priest
from India.—The Koords making War on the Nestorians.—Bishop
Athanasius.—Dr. Grant again visits Oroomiah.—A Third Time enters
the Mountains.—Guest of Mar Shimon.—The Patriarch's Coöperation.
—Mr. Hinsdale.—Papal Missionaries.—Dr. Grant visits Nûrûllah
Bey.—Returns to Mosul.—Death of Mr. Hinsdale.—Influence of Mr.
Ainsworth and Mr. Badger on the Patriarch.—Letter from Mar Shimon
to English Bishops.—Dr. Grant's Last Visit with Mr. Laurie to the
Patriarch.—Visits Bader Khan Bey.—Subjugation of the Mountain
Nestorians.—Escape of Dr. Grant.—Destruction of Tiary.—The
Patriarch flees to Mosul.—Destruction of Life.—Death of Mrs.
Laurie.—Arrival of Dr. Azariah Smith.—Death of Dr. Grant.
—Reflections on his Life and Character.—Tiary again explored.
—Discontinuance of the Western Branch of the Mission.—Disposal of
the Missionaries.

CHAPTER XIV. SYRIA.—1830-1838.

The Station at Beirût resumed.—Gregory Wortabet.—His Conversion.
—Accompanies the Missionaries to Malta.—Returns to Syria.—Active
in the Christian Life.—Respected by all Classes.—His Death.
—Disturbing Influences.—Conquest of Syria by Ibrahim Pasha.—Mr.
Bird's Letters in the Arabic Language.—Arabic Press at Beirût.
—Explorations in the Hauran.—Journal of the Tour lost in a
Shipwreck.—Presses in Syria.—Influence of the Mission.—National
Protection.—Schools.—Retirement of Mr. and Mrs. Bird.—Accessions
to the Mission.—Improvements in the High School.—Great
Improvements in Arabic Type.—Death of Mrs. Smith.—Biblical
Researches.

CHAPTER XV. THE DRUZES, AND THE WARS OF LEBANON.—1835-1842.

The Druzes.—Hope of introducing the Gospel among them.—Disposition to Hear.—Their Leading Motive.—Subdued by Ibrahim Pasha. —Increased Tendency towards a Nominal Christianity.—A Hopeful Druze Convert.—His Firmness under Persecution.—Admitted to the Church.—Striking Illustration of an Apparent Religious Interest. —Papal Opposition and its Effect.—Treatment of Papal Druzes. —Causes of Declining Interest.—Changes in the Mission.—Evidence of Progress.—Connection between Religious and Political Events. —Consequent Warlike Proceedings.—Remarkable Preservation of Mission Property.—The persecuting Emir Beshir deposed.—Changes in the Seminary.—The Mission Reassembled.—Inroad of French Jesuits. —Mistaken Policy of English Officials.—The Patriarch's Effort to expel the Americans.—English Officers better informed.—Mistake of the American Minister.—Renewed Interest among the Druzes.—Proffer of Friendly Aid.—An Unfortunate Interposition.—The Patriarch makes War to his own Ruin.—Deliverance of the Mission.—Its Favorable Prospects.—The Success of the Mission proportioned to its Efforts. —Value of the Results.—A Sudden and Disastrous Revolution.

CHAPTER XVI. SYRIA.—1842-1846.

Experiences of the Mission.—Missionary Convention.—The People all
of one Race.—The most Hopeful Districts.—When to form Churches.
—Qualifications for Church membership not to be relaxed.—Practical
Errors.—Counteracting Agencies.—Call for Preaching at Hasbeiya.—A
Secession from the Greek Church.—Attention given to the Gospel.
—Needed Explanations.—Affecting Scene.—Arrival of Persecutors.
—Seasonable Intervention.—The Protestants obliged to flee.—Their
Return.—Interference of the Russian Consul General.—Partial
Success of the Enemy.—The Jerusalem Station suspended.—The
Seminary revived.—Death of Yakob Agha.—Another War between Druzes
and Maronites.—Its Results.—Friendly Services of the
Missionaries.—Reflections on the Patriarch's Death.—After the War.

CHAPTER XVII. DR. JONAS KING AND THE GREEK HIERARCHY.—1845-1847.

Importance of this Struggle.—The Accusations against Dr. King.—His Response.—Increased Violence of the Opposition.—His Examination by a Judge.—His Book denounced at Constantinople.—The Courts against him.—Goes to the Criminal Court at Syra.—A Dangerous Gathering. —Returns to Athens.—Is offered British Protection.—Again cited for Trial at Syra.—The Citation recalled.—Alleviations.—Renewal of the Storm.—Extraordinary Accusations.—Call from the Governor of Attica.—A Guard of Soldiers.—Advice from the King.—Offer of Sir Edmund Lyons.—Retires to Geneva.—More Slanderous Accusations.—His House protected.—Subsequent Proceedings of the Government.—Goes to Malta.—Editions of his "Farewell Letter."

CHAPTER XVIII. DR. JONAS KING AND THE GREEK HIERARCHY.—1847-1869.

Returns to Athens.—His Reasons.—The Reception.—Resumes his
Labors.—His Chief Accuser discredited.—Cheering Incident.—The
Greek Synod demands his Prosecution.—An Outbreak.—Quelled by
raising the United States Flag.—Answers to a Judge.—Effect of a
New Publication.—Allegations for a New Trial.—The Trial at
Athens.—Decides to go to the Court-room openly and on foot.
—Extraordinary Sources of Proof.—His Condemnation.—Ground of the
Condemnation.—Is imprisoned.—Appeals to the Areopagus.—Which
confirms the Sentence.—Greek Lawyers dissent from the Courts.
—Appeal to the United States Government.—The Rights of
Missionaries.—The Appeal responded to.—Opinion of the President.
—Justice partially rendered.—Sentence of Banishment revoked.
—Opinion of the American Minister.—Favorable Change in the Popular
Sentiment.—Temporary Outbreak of the Old Enmity.—Unexpected
Citation.—The Judges decide not to proceed.—Coöperation of other
Missionaries.—A Revolution in the Government.—Disgrace of Old
Persecutors.—New King and Constitution.—Association of Editors.
—An Act of Public Justice.—Visit to the United States.—Return to
Greece.—Zealous Native Labors.—Conference with the President of
the Synod.—Death of Dr. King.—General Reflections.

CHAPTER XIX. THE NESTORIANS.—1841-1848.

Visit of Dr. and Mrs. Perkins to the United States.—Accompanied by
Mar Yohannan.—Schools and the Press.—Improved Type.—Health
Station.—New Missionaries.—Dr. Perkins's History of the Mission.
—His Return.—Version of the Scriptures.—Religious Influences.
—The Jesuits and French Government.—Counteracting Influences.—The
Patriarchal Family.—Hostility of the Patriarch.—Dismission of the
Schools.—Female Seminary revived.—Boys' Seminary reorganized.—On
employing the Higher Clergy.—Mr. Merrick's Connection with the
Mission.—Ordinations.—Protection for Native Christians.—The First
Revival.—Its First Fruits.—Brother of the Patriarch.—Interest at
Geog Tapa.—Interest in the Boys' Seminary.—Estimated Number of
Converts.—Modern Syriac New Testament.—Translation of the Old
Testament.—Nestorian Hymn Book.—New Missionaries.—Devastation by
the Cholera.—Dr. Wright's Visit to Bader Khan Bey.—Wonderful
Change in the Mountains.—Homeward Route.—Mar Shimon invited to
Constantinople.—Flees to Oroomiah.—Conflicting Influences upon
him.—His Apparent Friendship.—Throws off the Mask.—His Power
circumscribed.—His Unfriendly Acts.—The Government interposes.
—His Combination with the Jesuits.—Prejudicial to Both.—Death of
the King.—Providential Interpositions.—Persecution of Deacon
Tamo.—Deposition of the Great Koordish Chieftains.

CHAPTER XX. THE NESTORIANS.—1848-1852.

Mr. Stoddard Visits the United States.—Death of Mrs. Stoddard.
—State of the Schools.—Mar Shimon returns to the Mountains.—A
Visit to Mosul.—A Second Revival.—Deacon Guwergis.—Third
Revival.—Deacon John.—Deacon Jeremiah.—Various Tours.—The
Mission Enlarged.—Advance in Female Education.—Village Schools.
—Sabbath-schools.—The Monthly Concert.—Preaching Tours.—Deacon
Isaac.—Station at Gawar.—A Remarkable Youth.—Adverse Influences.
—Persecution of Deacon Tamo.—Intervention of Lieut.-Col.
Williams.—Powerful Friends.—Release of Tamo.—Favorable Results.
—Modern Syriac Bible.

CHAPTER XXI. SYRIA.—1845-1856.

Good News from the North.—Mr. Thomson Visits Aleppo.—The People
characterized.—Greek Catholic Archbishop.—Visit to Hasbeiya.—Mr.
Laurie's Return Home.—Unsuccessful Appeal for Laborers.—Relation
of the Druzes to Mohammedanism.—Successful Appeal of the Hasbeiyans
to the Turkish Government.—Desperate Resort of the Greek
Patriarch.—Formation of a Purely Native Church.—Translation of the
Scriptures into the Arabic.—Station of Aleppo.—Visit to Northern
Lebanon.—Death of Bedros.—Intelligent Men affected by the Truth.
—Another Visit to Hasbeiya.—English Protection.—Seminary at
Abeih.—Improved Arabic Type.—The Native Church.—Outrages at
Aleppo.—Effect of the Proceedings.—Pupils in the Seminary.—The
Church at Hasbeiya.—John Wortabet.—Drs. Bacon and Robinson.
—Female Boarding School.—Native Church at Abeih.—Experience in
Different Localities.—An Interesting Conversion.—Hopeful
Developments.—Opposition and its Effect.—A Church built at
Hasbeiya.—Progress of the Arabic Translation of the Scriptures.
—The Gospel at Ain Zehalty.—Northern Syria transferred to the
Armenian Mission.—Accessions and Bereavements.—General View.

CHAPTER XXII. THE ARMENIANS.—1845-1846.

The Grand Crisis.—The Persecuting Patriarch.—Mention of Bishop
Southgate.—The Patriarch's Mode of Proceeding.—His Treatment of
Bedros Vartabed.—Priest Vertanes.—The Chief Persecutors.
—Persecution at Erzroom.—Its Effect.—Central Position of
Erzroom.—Progress at Trebizond.—Persecutions.—The Patriarch
resorts to Excommunication.—Temporal Penalties enforced.—The
Patriarch and the First Protestant Pastor.—Appeals of the
Persecuted.—Charitable Aid.—Good Resulting from Evil.
—Intervention of the Government.—The Patriarch's Subterfuge.—Case
of Priest Haritûn.—A Temporary Triumph.—Cruelties at Adabazar and
Trebizond.—A British Consul interposes.—Effect of the
Persecutions.—Barbarities at Erzroom.

CHAPTER XXIII. THE ARMENIANS.—1846-1848.

Continued Persecutions.—Interposition of the English Ambassador.
—Designation of "Protestants."—A Vizierial Letter.—The
Patriarch's Hostility to the Seminary.—Its Effect.—Seminary for
Young Ladies.—Perpetual Excommunication of the Protestants.
—Consequent Organization of an Evangelical Church at
Constantinople.—Choice of Officers.—Ordination of a Pastor.
—Public Declaration of Faith.—Other Churches formed.—Early Death
of the Pastor.—The Pastor's Wife.—Der Haritûn.—Reformation at
Aintab.—Visit of Mr. Van Lennep.—Visit of Mr. Johnston.—Arrival
of Dr. Azariah Smith.—Mr. Schneider's Visit.—Trying Situation of
the Protestants.—Power of the Patriarch reduced.—Number of the
Protestants.—The Churches.—Additional Native Pastors.—Revivals of
Religion.