Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-10-13
FOREIGN NEWS.
MASSACRE OF THE HISTORIAN
CHRISTIANS


We hasten to lay before our readers the follow
ing thrilling description of the horrible slaughter
Of many OF the HISTORIAN Christians, insgaled
as is alledged, by English Episcopaan and Ro-
man Catholic missionaries. The account is con-
laned in the Oxford Chronicle of Sept 9b, re-
ceived by the steamer on Tuesday, and kindly !
furnished us 10y a friend in this city. We learn |
by letters received at the Missionary House, that |
il is probable the mother aud only one brother of |
Mar Shmon the HISTORIAN Patriarch, have been
slain that three other brothers have been taken
prisoners, and TWO have fed 10 Persia. 1t gives
us great pleasure to add, that DR.. GraHt, whose
life has been considered in danger, Is now sale at
hlosul.--.N Il. Puritan.
The Levant Mail has this week brought inlelIi-
gence of The most painful character from Con-
slanlinople. On the Eth Of last month, letters
were received in that city announcing the success
of combination between the PaCha OF Mosu
and several Kurdish chiefs, for the subjugalon of
the HISTORIAN Clristans-a community which
has always excited high degree of interest in
Christian Europe, because presenting the specta
Gle OF people retaining through long centuries
the forms and doctrines OF Christianity, even when
assaied by triumphant Mahomedsln, by which
they were surrounded. The details vi this dreud-
fu affair are not fully given, but in brief terms
are told " that the troops of the Pacha and his
sociales bad penetrated into the centre of the II
yaree district burnt the villages and churches de-
sexes 10 the sword. Three, or according to 9th
er accounts, five brothers Of the Patriarch, have
been slain, his mother was cut IN halt, and his SIS
ter horribly mulilaled. The Patriarch himself
he'd fled to Mosn aud taken refuge in The British
vice consulate.
Shocking and painful as this brief description
of the massacre and subingation of independent
tribes protesting Christianity in the midst Of Is
lanisin u.s. there is yet something worse behind:
There is TOO much reason b believe that This terri
Die tragedy has been brought about by The intrgues,
and The spirit Of proseyfism Of projessedy Chris.
tian ministers from England and France!
Oh Religion what crimes are committed in thy
name To ministers OF the established Churcl, OF
this country, and TO the efforts of Roman Cetho-
lie priests, are these horrors 10 be attributed.
! The facts are as ioll0ws:-Sone years since A
mercan Christians, participating in the interest
which the HISTORIANS, rs body of nominal Chris
tans in the East, has always excited, showed their
sympathy in practical manner. Animated by
desire to revive the spirit OF pure Christianity, and
to promote education amongst the mountaineers,
DIR. Grant, an agent of the American Board of
NJ issnns, penetrated the mountain Businesses of
the HISTORIANS. He established schools and Other
educational agencies, and enjoyed the confidence
of the pupils to n considerable extent: and work
recently published by DIR. Grant, gives most in
teresting account of the religion and mlnners Of
these people,
| But the SUCCESS of the American mission pro-
voked the envy of Roman Catholic. missionaries
at MosuI, and, we are deeply concerned 10 add
excited similar feelings in certain quarters al home
feelings which led Roman Catholics aud English
Episcopalians 10 enter upon inirigues which have
ended in this mourniul catastrophe We give the
following extracts from the letter of the cores
pondent of the Morning Chronicle, at CONSTANT
nople:-
"No sooner had DR.. Grant met with some sue
cess in the mountains, than the Roman Catholic
al h.,E
cal agents, endeavored 10 counterac; ii. The
English high Church was also jealous of Arneri-
can encroe hments in the midst OF a sect still VEN
Grating episcopacy and an additional e-brand
was thrown into the country, last autumn, in the
person Of Rev. Mr.. Badger"
During the last winter the American missiona-
ries were the objects of intrigue and the pro-
ceedings of the Roman Catholic priests were sim
liar in character and spirit 10 those which have
been attended with such melancholy results in
Tahiti.
"The Americans, who had been first in the
field, only acted on the defensive /; the influence
they had already acquired amongst the HISTORIANS
enabled them, without much difficulty, to retain
their position. The object of The hco remaining
parties oas TO eject The americans, and 10 establish
their o,cn influence. They did not act in concert,
for their mutual enmity equalled their hostility TO
the Americans. No means were left unlred 10
effect their object. The agents OF the Church OF
Rome received the earnest operation, in fact
became the tools of the French political agents
Mr. Badger enjoyed the support of the British
local authority. report began to prevail that
the Americans were assisting the HISTORIANS to
build forts in their moIntulns The ignorant in
hnbtants Of the surrounding dis riots, und their
governor the Pacha OF Mosu, readily believed
the assertion. For some time access 10 the noun
tans, from the west, was denied TO the American
missionaries Mr. Badger and the Papsls renew
pd th, ir seuarale attacks, Both had interviews
with the Patriarch. and both believed that they
had established their influence. The suspicious
of the Pacha of Mosul were excited from both
parties he received accusations against their re-
specve adyersaries, tending TO increase ms alarm
Mr. Badger pointed out the danger oil Roman
Catholicism and French influence in the noun.
tans the French, in return, the danger of Eng
lish influence
The result of these unholy priestly inlrigues
was. that the Mohamedan Pacha was alarmed -
formed combination with the Kurdish Chiefs
AGAINST The Nestorlans and then followed the
bnrnipg of villages and churches, the destruction
of the crops and the massacre OF men, women and
children, aud an accumulation of horrors upon the
Innocent victims of prleslly intrigue.
The writer from Constantnople, TO whom we
have before referred, ponedlylasks
nAre the quarres of our church TO be transfer
red even into the East TO our own dishohor, and to
the destruction OF the peace and happiness of men
who have hitherto been unacquanted with a
schism and ignorant of religious rancour aud in
tolerance? Before the Bishop of London in
slructed Mr.. Badger, willing and enthusiastic
agent, TO proceed 10 the HISTORIANS TO eject the A.
mericans, to expose their 'heresles,' aud TO inss
upon the only true orthodoxy OF the High Churcl
OF England, his lordship might have received
lesson of Christian charity from those very Nesto
rans who admit Christians Of all denomination