CONTENTS
| CHAPTER | PAGE |
|---|---|
| [I. Armenia] | [17] |
| Mohammedan Intolerance—Location and Boundary of AncientArmenia—Divisions—Earliest Name—Mountains—Volcanic Actionand Earthquakes—Mt. Ararat—The Garden of Eden—Beauty ofScenery—Rivers—Lakes—Altitude and Climate—Fertility—Flowers,Birds and Animals—Mines and Mineral Springs—Ancient and ModernCities—Suffering under Turkish Rule—England’s Responsibility—Hopefor a Bright Future. | |
| [II. The Armenians] | [37] |
| Ancestry Traced to Scriptural Progenitor—TraditionalOrigin of Name—The First Battle for Liberty—EarlyKings—Testimony from Cuneiform Inscriptions—Relation toContemporaneous Nations—Babylonia—Assyria—The Medo-PersianEmpire—Macedonia—Parthia—Names and Derivations—Tigranesthe Great—Roman Ascendancy—Armenians Continued Struggle forIndependence—The First Christian Prince. | |
| [III. The Religion of the Ancient Armenians] | [59] |
| Primitive Religion a Pure Monotheism in PatriarchalForm—Abraham—Melchizadek—The Bible Not a UniversalHistory—Human Tendency Toward Retrogression—Divine Aid Necessaryfor True Progress—Influence of Surrounding Nations—AssyrianIdolatry—The Pantheism of Babylon—Semitic TheologicalConceptions—Zoroastrianism—The Magi—Armenia Affected by GrecianPolytheism but not by Roman Deification of Her Emperors. | |
| [IV. The Conversion of the Armenians] | [65] |
| The Religious Condition of the World at the Time of Christ’sBirth—Christianity Carried to Armenia by Three of theApostles—An Early Tradition of the Armenian Church—The King’sDecree that “Henceforth the Religion of Christ is the Religionof Armenia”—St. Gregory, “The Illuminator,” Ordained Bishopof Armenia—Idol Temples Pulled Down—Christian Training andLiteratures—Translation of Old and New Testaments—Persian Oppressionand Armenian Loyalty and Bravery—A Desperate Struggle—Addressof the Armenian Commander-in-Chief—The Army of the HolyLeague—A Desertion—Confusion and Discouragement—A Hymn of HighResolve—Persian Conquest and Oppression—Armenian Faithfulness toPrinciple—Terms of Peace Leading to an Edict of Toleration—A Periodof Tranquillity. | |
| [V. Conflicting Forces] | [80] |
| Changes Among the Nations—Division of RomanEmpire—Constantinople—Political and Religious Facts—UnfortunateMisunderstanding between Greek and Armenian Christians—PersianAttitude—Persecution and Division—Rise and Spread ofMohammedanism—35,000 Armenian Captives—Saracen Policy ofCruelty—Armenia Humiliated, but not Crushed—Again Strong IndependentKingdom—A Period of Progress—Mongolian Tartar Tribes—A KingTreacherously Dethroned—Turkish Cruelty—Armenians in Cappadociaand Cilicia—Reuben the First of Cilicia—The First Crusade—Attemptto Bring Armenian Church Under Control of Pope of Rome—GenghisKhan—Capture of Jerusalem from Crusaders—Capture of Constantinopleby Crusaders—Ignominious Treatment of Christians—Christian ArmeniaEntirely Surrounded by Foes of Christianity—The Country RenderedDesert—An Opportunity for Victory through United Forces of Grecianand Armenian Christianity Lost—Resultant Suffering. | |
| [VI. The Armenian Church] | [102] |
| Apostolic in Origin—National in Extent—Her Defense againstZoroastrianism—Oppressed by Mohammedans—Formalism in GreekChurch—Roman Attempt at Subordination—The Election andOrdination of Armenian Bishops—Doctors of Theology—Customsof Armenian Church—Points of Difference between Armenian andRoman Churches—Church Councils and Their Decrees—Statement ofArmenian Belief—Tribute to the Bible—Superiority of ArmenianTranslation—Greek Invasion—Saracen Desecration—Loyalty of ArmenianChristians under Persecution. | |
| [VII. The Period of Subjection] | [117] |
| The Armenians in Cilicia—Mongolian Invaders—Condition ofWestern Asia—Rise and Growth of Ottoman Power—The StandingArmy—Compulsory Service of Conquered Christians—A Tax of EveryFifth Child—A Military Caste—Extent of Turkish Empire—ArmenianExiles—A New Calamity—Treachery and Cruelty—“The Lordof Asia”—Crossing the Bosphorus—The Turkish Capture ofConstantinople—All Europe Filled with Consternation—Luther’s HymnContaining Prayer for Deliverance—Divisions and Famine—God’sPurpose in Sparing Armenia—Bitterness between Turkish andPersian Mohammedans—Deportation of 25,000 Families—ComparativeRest for Eighty Years—Hope for Emancipation—Russia OffersProtection—Faithless to Promises—Russian Armies in Armenia. | |
| [VIII. A General Survey] | [133] |
| Armenians Compared to Jews, because of Persecution—Numberof Armenians in Different Countries—Description of ArmenianVillage Life—Agricultural Methods and Implements—PatriarchalLife—Shepherds—Absence of Means of Transportation—VariousTrades and Callings—Churches and Schools—“The Anglo-Saxons ofthe East”—Popular Prejudices against the Armenians—ArmenianBoats—Armenian Commerce—Accumulation of Wealth—Jealousy ofTurks—An Inscription from a Tomb—Armenian Constitution of1860—The General Assembly—The Ecclesiastical Council—Revocationof Constitution in Turkish Armenia (Aug. 12, 1916)—The Armenians inWestern Persia—Russia and the Armenians—The Armenians of the AryanRace—Testimony of the Language—Armenian Literature—Catholic andProtestant Missionaries and Impetus to Education—Armenians in Schoolsand Colleges of the World—An Armenian Poem. | |
| [IX. The Reformed Church] | [153] |
| Condition of Church which Needed Reformation—Roman CatholicMissionaries—Catholic Armenian Church—Effect upon Armeniaof the European Reformation—Work of the British and RussianBible Societies—American Missionaries—“An OrientalMelancthon”—Translation of New Testament into Armeno-Turkish—Needof Wise Leadership—Roman and Greek Opposition—Attitude of AmericanBoard of Foreign Missions—A Turkish Pledge Unkept—A SeparateOrganization—New Churches—Progress of the Reformation—PreachingTours—Family Worship—A Seminary for Women—Anathemas upon the“Heretics”—The Crimean War—An Edict of Equality Rendered Null andVoid—Continued Persecution—Growth of Evangelical Churches andDoctrine—Statistics of the Work for 1914. | |
| [X. Causes of Progress, and Hindrances] | [169] |
| I. The Bible. Armenian Reverence for the Word ofGod—Translations—Co-operation between Bible Societies andMissionaries—Personal Experiences—A Refusal Turned to a Blessingin Disguise—“The Two Edged Sword”—Banishment by Turks, forCarrying a Scripture Test in Armenian. II. Education:Ancient Centers of Learning—Turkish Destruction—Activity ofArmenian Press in Seventeenth Century—Work of the Enemies ofProtestantism—Revival of Learning in 1835—The Seminary at Bebek—TheEnglish Language Proscribed—Discussion and Opposition—ArmeniansGoing Abroad for College Training—Personal Mention of Men WhoHad Excelled—The Advantages of General Culture—List of NativeColleges and Seminaries—Standing at Beginning of War. III.Christian Literature: Translation of Bible Followed by thatof Other Books—The Mission Press—A Means of Helping Students.IV. Medical Work: Limited Knowledge of Early NativePhysicians—Meaning of Christ’s Commission—Mission Hospital Work atBeginning of War—Letter from Dr. Barton. Hindrances: Povertyof Protestant Communities—The Mohammedan Government. | |
| [XI. The Armenian Question] | [186] |
| The Question Not a New One—Resistance of Zoroastrianism—OfMohammedanism—Of Pagan-Mohammedanism—Turkish Misrule—“Tears ofArmenia”—Cause of the Russo-Turkish War—“The Infidels Must beKilled”—Testimony of an Eye-witness—The Treaty of San Stefano(1878)—Promises of Reform—Anglo-Turkish Convention of Cypress—TheTreaty of Berlin—England’s Contract with Turkey—Disturbanceamong Kurds—The Abandonment of the Cause of Justice—Arms Deniedthe Armenians, but Granted All Others—The Turkish “Court ofMockery”—Correspondence of the London Daily News—Revisionof the Treaty of Berlin—England’s Responsibility—Statement of theArmenian Question—Turkish Disregard for Pledged Treaty—Indifferenceof Other Nations—An Instance of Cruelty—Simply One of Many—“ARevolutionary Poem.” | |
| [XII. The Gospel and the Koran] | [204] |
| Growing Indications of Turkish Misrule—Underlying Causes—Teachingsof Christ and of Mohammed Contrasted—The Attitudes of Each TowardWomen—Toward Holiness—Toward Forms and Ceremonies—The Revivalof Mohammedanism Means the Suppression of All Other Religions—TheSword of the Prophet—Choice of Islam, Slavery or Death—A MohammedanPrayer—Impossible for a Mohammedan to Keep Promises—War on AllInfidels, Commanded—Subjugation of a Jewish Colony—Division of theSpoils. | |
| [XIII. Massacre of the Christians] | [212] |
| Faithfulness, at What Cost?—The Greek Revolution—In the Islandof Chios—An Explorer’s Description of an Assault—Massacrein Syria in 1860—Scenes in Damascus—Letter from AmericanConsul-General—Correspondence in London Times—Testimony ofAmerican Missionaries—A Noted Change of Sentiment—Sultan AbdulHamid—A False Accusation—Condoning Injustice—An Armenian RevolutionImpossible and Absurd—Kurdish Chiefs Armed for Suppression—AMedical Missionary’s Letter—Who Posted the Placards?—Two CollegeProfessors Unjustly Imprisoned—Moslem Mobs in Possession ofCæsarea—Official Reports of Turkish Outrages—Rev. Father EndeavorClark’s Experiences—So-called “Agitators”—Result of Trial—WhyTheir Anchors Could Not be Lifted—Enquiry in the English House ofCommons—Memorial Sent by the Society of Friends to the Secretary ofState for Foreign Affairs—Reply to Memorial A Difference of Opinion. | |
| [XIV. The Massacre at Sassoun] | [235] |
| Location and People of Sassoun—Vexatious Conditions—Self-defenseMiscalled Insurrection—A Cruel Order—Harrowing Details ofMassacre—An “Agitator’s” Appeal to the Sultan and Reward forService Rendered—England’s Position—Armenian Mothers—TurkishAttempt to Conceal Facts—Denial of Truthfulness of Report ofBritish Vice-Consul—Mohammedanism and Barbarism—Sultan’s Refusalto Receive President Cleveland’s Appointed Representation of the U.S.—The Sultan’s Commission and Its Work—How the Result was Receivedby Other Nations—A Humiliating Failure—Address of Hon. W. E.Gladstone—Rupture between Turkish and European Commissioners—Reportof European Delegates—A Just Request Refused. | |
| [XV. The Massacres of 1895-6] | [250] |
| A Scheme of Reform Presented by the British, French, and RussianGovernments—The Sultan’s Promise—Unfulfilled—Abdul Hamid II—TheTruth about Armenia—Biased Statements of the German Press—Turkey’sUncertainty as to the Action of the Powers, an Encouragement toHer Misrule—Refusal to Receive an Armenian Petition—Letter froman American Resident of Constantinople—Statistical Table of theMassacres of 1895-6—Summary—A War of Desolation—Pretense of“Suppressing a Revolution”—“Horrible Details of Butchery”—ChurchesInvaded and Burned—Indignities to Women and Girls—Manyof Them Commit Suicide—A Daughter’s Sacrifice—Germany’sFriendship—Quotation from a German Paper—Dr. Lapsius’ Reply—MoreStatistics—Compulsory Conversions to Mohammedanism—IndividualInstances of Faithfulness—Faithfulness to Christ Reported asObstinacy—At Cæsarea—Report of the British Vice-Consul—Workof Miss Corinna Shattuck—Other Missionaries Give PersonalExperiences—Atrocities of Soldiers and Officers—England’s ProfessedInability to Act—The Massacre at Constantinople—Plans Known toTurkish Government and Made Occasion of Outbreak—PersecutionFollowing Worse in Its Effects than Massacre Itself—“Conductof European Powers”—Result of a Disagreement—Germany SeekingExpansion—Emperor’s Tribute to Mohammedanism. | |
| [XVI. The Revolution and Massacres at Adana, 1908-9] | [282] |
| The Enemies of the Sultan—Demand for the Restoration of theConstitution—Abdul Hamid’s Insincere Acquiescence—Joy of thePeople—Instigation to Mutiny—The Night of April 13, 1909—Characterof the Sultan’s Success—The Young Turks Take Possession of thePalace of the Sultan—Abdul Hamid Sent into Exile—Mohammedan Massacreof Christians—Disease and Starvation Follow in Wake of Murder—Letterfrom Wife of British Consul of Adana—Kessab—Testimony of Presidentof St. Paul’s Institute at Tarsus—Turkish Determination to Annihilatethe Armenians—“The Armenian Question” a One Sided One—UnderMohammedan Rule Reform Impossible. | |
| [XVII. The Reign of the Young Turk] | [290] |
| Mohammed V.—Divisions of Empire for AdministrativePurposes—Troublesome Times for the Young Turks—SurroundingPeoples—The Bosnians and Servians—Austro-Hungarians—The Bulgarian’sDeclaration of Independence—Turco-Italian War—The First BalkanWar and Its Results—Second Balkan War—Reverses of the YoungTurks—Plan to Use Armenians to Instigate a Revolt—Offers of RewardRefused—Modified Demands on the Armenians—Still Refused—A PeacefulEndeavor. | |
| [XVIII. The Massacres of 1915-16] | [298] |
| Why the Young Turks Declared War—Reasons for the Beginning ofthe Massacres—A Draft of Armenians with the Army—Disarmed andMade to Work on the Roads—Turkish Proclamation of “A Holy War”—AHoly War Explained—Proclamation Favorably Received by MohammedansEverywhere—Suffering Syrian Christians—“A Price on Every ChristianHead”—Consequences—Letter from a Medical Missionary—Heart-rendingScenes—A Catholic Priest Who Refuses to Confess Mohammed as God’sProphet and His Fate—Report of Dr. Vanneman—Urumia—NativeChristian Preachers Crucified—Inhabitants of Van Resist—TimelyArrival of Russian Forces—Succor only Temporary—Turks and KurdsReturn—“Suppressing Armenian Rebellion”—Turkish Treachery—Scenesalong the Road—Christians Held in Prison and then Slain—AtrocitiesMiscalled “Justifiable and Necessary Measures”—WholesaleDrownings—“Turkey for the Turks”—Testimony of Dr. Herbert AdamsGibbons—The Turks not Satisfied with Less than the CompleteExtermination of all Who Oppose Mohammedanism. | |
| [XIX. The Deportations of 1915-16] | [316] |
| Deportation and Its Consequences: Orders fromConstantinople—German Influence—No Exceptions to beMade—Reasons for Scheme of Transportation—A Procession of DoomedVictims—Unparalleled Savagery—Character of Armenian People—TurksEncourage Armenian Organizations which, Later, They Brand as“Revolutionary”—“The Blackest Page in Modern History”—Five HundredMen Imprisoned in an Armenian Church—Awaiting Orders to March intoExile—Allowed to Take but Few Possessions—Searching Out ArmenianNames—The Procession as Seen from a College Compound—A HopelessJourney of a Thousand Miles—Forced to Abandon Food and Beddingon the Road—Uncertainty of the Fate of Loved Ones—The Minds ofSome Become Unbalanced—Boys and Girls Sold to Mohammedans to beReared in that Faith—Two Girls Sold for Eighty Cents—A LoyalPriest of Ninety—Women and Girls Carried off to an Unknown Fate—Atthe Euphrates River—A Faithful Teacher Accompanies Her SchoolGirls on Their Way to Exile—Extracts from Her Letters—“GettingAccustomed to Being Robbed”—Exiles from Tocat—Men Tied Togetherfor Execution Overtaking Those Who Had Fallen by the Way from FormerDeportations—Not Allowed to Go Further—No Later Word from HerCompanions—Dual Orders Issued from Constantinople: One to be MadePublic, the Other to Deal with Armenians. | |
| [XX. Camps of Refuge, 1915-17] | [332] |
| Physical Suffering Compared with the Deeper Anguish of Mind andHeart—Why the Young Turks Continued Their Barbarity—An AmericanMissionary’s Experience—Martyrdom of First Christian Century Comparedwith Scenes in 1915—An American Woman’s Appeal Unheeded—Absurdityof Turkish Excuse—Inefficiency of Armenian Defense—CilicianArmenians Disarmed by Misrepresentation—Evacuated Homes Given toMohammedan Refugees—More than 20,000 Armenians Forced to Emigratefrom One Province—An Almost Miraculous Escape—“Christiansin Distress. Rescue!”—The Third Stage of the Turk’s Plan ofExtermination: “Agricultural Colonies”—Most Undesirable SitesChosen—A Thousand Families with only Fifty Grown Men—UnwholesomeClimatic Influences—Scenes in the Refugee Camps—American EmbassyRefused Permission to Carry Help—The Sufferings of ShelterlessExiles—The Unburied Dead—Epidemic of Typhoid Fever—Exhausted ExilesDriven Forward at Point of Soldiers’ Bayonets—What a MissionarySaw—Distributing Bread to the Hungry—Children Sold to PreventStarvation—580 Buried in One Day—A Town in the Desert—InstantDeath Preferred to Long Suffering—A Protest from GermanMissionaries—Heart-rending Scenes—Massacres Still Going On—LateNews—Present Conditions—Accessories to Turks’ Crime—U.S.A. Enteringinto the Conflict. Encouraging Signs—God rules. | |
| [Map] | [352] |
A CRY FROM ARMENIA
By Ellen M. Mitchell
(The New Armenia)
Through all this golden sunshine there peals a mournful cry,
Help, help us, or we perish—help, help us, or we die!
Our babes are begging wildly for one small crust of bread,
They faint, they die with hunger—is there a God o’erhead?
Oh, haste with friendly succor, we are starving while we wait,
To thousands sinking graveward your help may come too late;
Our gaunt forms totter feebly; our lips grow wan and white,
Oh, God, how hard it is to starve beneath a sky so bright!
Your hearths are crowned with plenty, your homes with blessings rife;
The scattered crumbs that strew your floor might save a human life;
Oh, can you hear, unmoved and calm, of all our bitter need,
Nor feel your quivering heart-strings with throbs of pity bleed?
Dear brethren, would ye follow Christ, our starving children save,
Keep back the shuddering feet that tread the margin of the grave;
Send on your bounty quickly, with timely comfort haste,
For human lives are ebbing out each moment that you waste.
I
ARMENIA
Within the last few years Armenia has been attracting the attention of the civilized and Christian world. Those parts of Armenia, which were in the Turkish and Persian empires, have been turned by the devotees of the Mohammedan faith into altars upon which human sacrifices have been offered. Yea, not only the Turkish and Persian Armenia but also the whole of Asia Minor, and in fact every city, town, and village in the Turkish Empire where Armenians were found, the high priests and low priests of Islam were intensely engaged in the slaughter of the Christians as sacrifices acceptable to Allah. It is a lamentable fact that according to the teaching of Mohammed the severer the Mohammedan is to his unbelieving or non-Mohammedan neighbor the greater will be his reward, and the better his position in paradise.
It may not, therefore, be amiss if we say a few words about the original and ancestral home of the Armenians, whence they have been at times driven and scattered throughout the Mohammedan dominions and have become the victims of cruelty and massacre for ages.
Armenia lies directly north of Mesopotamia. It is bounded on the north by the Caucasian Mountains, on the south by the Mesopotamian plains, on the east it extends to the Caspian Sea and Media and on the west to the Black Sea and Asia Minor.[1]