Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-03-05
THYATIRA.


are sometimes almost startling, and always in
teresting and profitable as matters of general
knowledge. This site of one of the seven
churches of Asia, was built by Seleneus Mica
tur, perhaps about two hundred and ninety
five years before the Christian era during a
time of peace. After he had achieved many
triumphs over his enemies, he formed an alli-
ance with Sandrocothus, an Indian King, in
connection with whom he conquered Amigo
nus IN final battle, called the battle of Ipsus,
which was fought about three hundred years
before Christ Syria and part of Phrygia, and
all of the provinces, finally, between that and
India, fell into his hands.
He then built many cities and expended
large sums to promote the arts of civilization.
And among others the above named city was
built few years after the cessation of war
The modern name of what remains of it is call
ed Ak-hicar and it is situated on the river Hy-
las, on the borders of Lydia and Mysia, on a
plain about twenty miles wide, between Sar-
dis and Peragamus. Like other cities in that
part of the world, it was subject to such chan
ges as war and earthquakes effected until the
time of our Saviour. 1t is not certain by whom
>,
whether by Paul from Ephcsus, or upon the
return of Lydia from Phillippi, whether she
did not first announce the glad tidings like the
woman of Ssnaria, and thus became instru-
ment TO lead the people TO enquire after the
truth. The narrative of her conversion is ex-
ceedingly interesting, and there is no doubt
but the sequel of her life was fun of interest
ing events connected with the spread of chris
tianitv, The Je-xs had plaa-H e-se.ea FOR
reading the law and prayer, in the places where
they were scattered, and accordingly in Phil
lipi they repaired on the Sabbath to such
place, and Paul generally resorted there to
preach the gospel. Lydia, who, perhaps, was
= sproselyte to their religion, was also there,
and heard the Apostle, whose heart was open
ed to the truth, as her conduct afterwards
clearly eyinced.
Thyatira was celebrated for the manufacture
of fine fabric, and for the art of dyeinE the
most beautiful purple. 1t entered largely in
to the coioring of the royal habiiments, and
the curtain decorations of costly buildings
Lydia had not moved to Phillip for perma-
nent residence, but was there, like other east
ern merchants, only temporarily. Upon her
return to Thyatira, she may have made known
the Gospel, and then they, as heather villa
ges now do, may have sent for the missionary
of the cross. to preach to them more fully
the gospel of salvation.
Of the former buildings of note there is on
ly one edifice left standing. The present
Turkish name of the place Gaeans The White
Castles, probably on account of The great pro-
fusion of white marble which is strewed around
and Of which the buildings are erected. There
are eight Mahomedan Mosques in AlS-hica: in
which the most of the inhabitants Worship
There are thirty thousand inhabitants, all of
whom are Turks except about three thousand
Greeks and Armenian christians. Bibles in
modern Greek hare been distributed among
them 10 come extent, and they have two
churches, for each denomination. Here |
as elsewhere, in this country, the pure primi- /!
tive christianity of the scriptures is unknown,
and its claims are as strong upon the churches
of this country for Bibles and Missionary la |
Dor as any part of Heathendom.
The surrounding scenery of this city is ex-
eeedingly beautiful. The mountains on eth |
er side ranging with the wide plain in which
the City stands with their beautiful undula-
the eye a fine view OF few miles in the dis
tance, while the City itself is literally embo-
somed in trees and groves of Cyprus and Pop
lar. This buildings being of white marble sur
rounded and overhung with the deep and pa
Ter green foliage of those splendid arbor trees,
present altogether the most delightful view. |
There is no place in this country would pre-
sent any resemblance except New Haven or
Cleveland, and I. ey only some slight rcsem- |
blance in regard to the trees with their green
foliage. When the letter was addressed to the !
ancient church in this city, it would seem hat |
idolatry was influential and had to some e1-
tent seduced some of its members, on account |
of which the judgment threatened unless |
there should be speedy repentance. But the
Divine testimony is that this church repented |
rot, and accordingly the candlesticIl is remo-
we'd out of its place. Like the other places |
mentioned, this is standing monument of
Divine displeasure, and a testimony to the |
New Testament scripture.
There is a melancholy aud yet hopeful feel |
ing steals over the Imagination in the contem-
plstion of those once splendid and populous |
cities, now all dilapidated and wasted, If not |
entireiJ c'Sf1IoHH aHo oestf"sro- ME |
we lDser upon the scenes of falling cities, as
they pass away before invading armies, vast
ing pestilence, or overwhelming earthquakes, |
rs direct Judgment Of Heaven in fulfiment of
threatings revealed; we may anticipate the |
advantage Of the fact in future attempts TO
~-Drcad the Gospel in those cities, that Honu- |
meaNsi testimony stands all around asserting |
the ihifnstable truth of the scriptures; and ira
ditIon ados hSs voice to give confirmation to |