Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-10-06
Hon. George p. Marsh on the Turkish
Missions.

slonS III the lurklsh Empire. Mr.. Marsh
commenced by some general statements con-
corning the geographical extent, surface, soil.
climate, &c, of the Turkish Empire, and
then went on to speak Of the characteristics
of the different tribes and races comprised
within the boundaries of The Empire. and
among and upon whom the Missions are at
work.
The total population lie estimated at about
thirty-tive millions, of which number about
twenty millions are Mussulman.. The re-
mainlcr are nominal Christians, jews. Dru-
zcs, Fire-worshiprers, &C., the Greeks. that
is those who profess the Greek faith, being
the most numerous. They number about five
millions. The Turks proper are found mainly
in the cities and towns. There are great
errors prevalent respecting their character,
errors which have arisen from ascribinr TO
the whole nation the vices of the Janizaries
and Mamelukes. These have ever been des-
peratc and bloody set, taken from their
parents, generally Christians, in childhood.
brought up with no home, no family ties. no
profession but arms, With these travellers
have heretofore been mostly brought in con-
tact in Egypt and elsewhere, and have taken
them to be true representatives of the Turkish
nation.
The religion, laws and institutions of the
Turks are founded, as i. well-known, on the
Koran. Now the leading doctrine of the
Koran is not as is so commonly supposed, that
there is but one God and Mahomct is his
prophet, but it is submission 10 the iH of God.
The words Islam and Mo,lem, by which they
designate their faith, signify submission,
resignation. These then are the cardinal
points of the Turk, religion, and the Turks
revere their religion. You never hear the
Turk speak lightly of his God, his prophet,
or his religion, or use profane expression
The Turk never murmurs or i. impatient
under any dispcnsation of Providence As
an instance, Mr.. Marsh mentioned that of two
hundred and fifty wounded Turks brought to
Constantinoplc after the bloody naval fight at
Sinope, and placed under the care of the
British surgeons, not one was heard to utter
groan, word of complaint, or even a muir
muir, although they underwent the sevcrest
surgical operations Inc lur"' are plous
people. They observe five hours of prayer,
one of which occur, at midnight. At those
''Vuf' INC -,uef1'"' commonly oiihc men,
'eiec.eu Oh '"a' account as 'heir elevated post
would otherwise allow them to look into the
surrounding court yard') sound the call to
prayer from the mlnarets, and at each OF these
hours the mosques are commonly thronGcd.
lh'y observe their lasts, some OF which are
very severe, also with great strictncss. They
are sobcr people. The vast majority never
taste intoxicating liquors. They respect all
lawful authority " Nowhere, said Mr..
Marsh g have seen community SO FREQ
from violence ana crime ms Stamboul,' the
i"rk'sh quarter Oh Cohstahtlnoplc'
i"'rc are o''cr CIRCUMSTANCES winch as
P''' '''o "iAS " '"Noi"pic reception OF the
MISSIONARIES anu ol t'elr te"cAlhSs Al
'"o"Sn 'ncy REJECT oNri'tianity' they receive
us true inc blple history though they snip
pose II 20 nave neen corrupted by TIE Jews
ihey .hei!eVe IN the DIVINE mission OF Christ,
tut do not believe that he was crucihed. God
would never have allowed that, they say
They have a strong dislike to ldolatry. They
look upon the Roman Catholics and Cir, eks n.
ldolaters, and they observe tie distinction
between them and the protestunts in this re-
spect. They are exceedingly charitable. A
turkish gentleman nerer passes a bcggar
without giving him something.
The Turks are remarkable for extreme
cleanliness in their persons and dress. Good |
breeding j. universal among all classes, and
he lowest clas,e. are a. polished and ceremo- |
Nous as the highest. The Turkish women |
ire uneducated, but arc well treated. They
10 not labor and are allowed every liberty as
much so as the women Of America, and more
10 than the higher clas.e, in other portions
If Europe. Children and servants are treated
With groot kindness, and ;ndul,cpco and tho
.b;ldra, -o,,,u, og,,;o e .,,.
,.;,h go. ., -
- W." p
I"'' ". '"0 1"'''n '' 60
''a' - ANc "'V'',o' % WV r''''''
% '"' ~ '"o D"'p,'' ''"''fy
70 NOV ,o1'4 a" evil ana Saves "heh
Ireeu' "a'' as sooa chance 10 rise as tho'c
~ ,ho rm,;.a " '1 VI '"o "is" "'''oritle'
IT, '''h ''"'e''
30 tho r,rr. aoo'e rev poets similar
Tho c-.'T, 'I' ''0 " more savage rae.
.ol;u;. ~ "'0 f'o''s' 'Ne creek
site Of + he Turks Van o.n .1... .,.''r, 'PPo-
,.,,, r,-... wa "heh
citv NV i. ahon,;nstI, aws ,hon a"'N'sn
and aro ad,cts :, I,,,r ,, 'VrS
ooj orerr ,n.o;o. ar rand Tbsr a.
- '''y''' "'' ""-
,,.t.,,o .I,,a., l.. ,.o,.iIi. ;. .t;-:' '''''p''
onro. They p.,.hor in TurLoy t,,o AID
half millions. ,,t every Greek i. Russian
,r The Arn,...ns NAV lie set down a. the
rst p-orlo in m. Emrire the most intclli-
.o,+ ,.. ,i ,,o.t cor,oI,le of i'm