The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07

upon the gray, misty shores of the Old World
The "Hispania" of which we read. upon the
recitation bench, lay spread out along our East
ern horizon. BY noon of that day, we had pass
ed the once-called Pillars of Hercules " The
more conspicuous of which, the far.famed RocI
OF Gibraltar, was, for our benefit, draped in 8
gorgeous rainbow garment of purple and gold
After this glorious welcome to a new Cont
nent, we glided on over the comparatively calm
waters OF the Mediterranean. At Malta we
stopped for some days; and visited among
other places of interest, the bay were st. Pam
was shipwrecked. After fitting by "the isles
OF Greece" and making very brief STAY al
smyrna, we came on to Constantinople, the
city OF mosques" magnificent indeed in pros
pect as We first viewed its hills and minarets
from the deck of our vessel. But nearer &C.
qualntance with its narrow, muddy streets,
comiortless houses, and degraded inhabitants.
proved that distance had indeed, in this in.
stance, lent enchantment to the viewl" In
the families OF the various missionaries, station.
ed at and near Constantinople, found home
tor some weeks; and can truly say of them,
that they are among the choicest of Americas
sons and daughters. One valued member was
| taken from the little band of patient, busy
workers, during my stay, to a nobler work in
heaven. He died as Christian and a mis-.
sionary should die, thanking God to the last
Tor the lot that bad been appointed him and
leaving his four young, helpless children to the
tender mercies of this great world, without a
Pang, IN implicit reliance on the promise of
him who said, "Lesve thy fatherless children
l will provided"
Inc regular season for commencing over.
lsno journeys had not yet arrived, when l left
Oonstantinople for this place. The first STAGE
OF tne Journey was made in a small steamer.
which being detained in the Bosphorus by
strong north winds, did not reach its port, Sam.
soon, until week after starting. The same
storm delayed the friend who was crossing the
mountains to meet me; so that, on arriving at
SAMSON, L found myself in the midst of a
people of whose language and customs knew
almost nothing, without AN acquaintance or in.
terpretsr, and longed most earnestly for the
gilt OF tongues" A few hours, however.
brought me the most pleasant company and
assistance. After remaining two weeks in a
native house, becoming gradually initiated into
the pecuarities ofthis deeply interesting though
semi civilized race we had the pleasure of see
ing the sun shine again. This was the signal
for commencing our journey anew. We mount.
ed our horses, and, leaving the regularly-tray.
elled road, which was as yet impossible, we
took brldle-path over the mountains of Asia
Minor. Toiling up steep hill-sides, struggling
through sloughs of mud, creeping along mar,
row paths between a precipice above and
precipice below, where a single misstep would
have plunged one into eternity, and fording
swollen rivers and mountain torrents, we came
slowly along our way. At length we reached
snoW-oapped mountain top, somewhere in what
was of old the kingdom of Pontus. This the
guides at first refused to attempt to pass. But
after coaxing, threatening, and insisting, on our
side, they reluctantly set forward. For nearly
two hours, our tired horses were half buried in
the before-untrodden SHOWS of the last winter.
Numbering and plunging until they seemed
nearly exhausted. At last, Mr.. Van Lennon.
who was the leader of the party, as he rode over
the highest activity, waved his hand aloft. and
cried, Volta Herek!" (See HerekD And.
surely, there lay spread out below and far be.
yond us, long, narrow, beautiful, green plain.
winding like q rich riband among the bleak
hlli'ranges, and decked already with all the YER
took courage; and we soon found ourselves at
our nightly resting place. These places of rest
were no quiet country inns, such az one may
lind along the road sides of Ohio. Being on a
route seldom travelled, we had not even the
advantage of the (k)hdns, which sometimes take
the place of inns, and are desolate enough.
We spent the Sabbath in little, mud.waled
mountain village, where our accommodations
"
our horses and a company of buffaloes who
had prior claim to the apartment. We occu-
pied raised platform at one end of this curl
Gus room, where we had the privilege of watch.
ing our animal friends through the night, if I'm.
able to sleep. The villagers showed much
curiosity, especially the women, many of whom
had never before seen Frank lady" Turk
ish etiquette requires them to cover the face,
with the exception of the eyes, before their
male guests; but they would cluster about the
door, and often crowd into the room, half for
getful of the dingy white sheet-like envelopes
which they used as wells. Like children, they
would exhaust their vocabulary in wondering
at our dress, our saddles, and other equipments,
so unlike their own clumsy contrivances.
After eight days of such travel, having been
more than once delivered from imminent peril,
we were grateful indeed to reach this city of
gardens, which holds, as its most sacred treas
ure, the earthly remains of Henry Martyr.
monument to his memory has been forwarded
by the East India Company, and is soon to be
set up under weeping willows, at the foot of
the mission garden. Here, in Tocat, is a
fourishing school of Armenian young men,
who are being trained as teachers to their peo-
pie; also, g prosperous school for younger chill
dren. A pleasant little congregation of those
who have forsaken the superstitions of their
corrupt church, has been gathered about the
missionaries. There is now much to be done
among the women, in their families and this
is especially the work for missionary ladies.
Tocat lies in gorge, between ranges of high,
overlapping hills, and is consequently subject
to great heat during the summer. In spring
and autumn, however, it presents a delightful |
view, as almost every house is surrounded by a
garden. But it is true here in "Ceylon's isle"
that though every prospect pleases," "man,"
alas "is vile !" The missionaries are slowly, |
but surely, increasing the circle Of their hear.
ers and their helpers; and how much more |
might they not do, had they men aud means. !
Could their friends in America know the lives
of selfdenisl that some of them have been |
leading here, and know, too, what excellent |
worldly prospects they sacrificed, for the sake |
of elevating this Armenian nation, they would |
be more ready to give, in sympathy, contribu. |
tions, and prayer, the aid they cannot give in |
person.
One of the slightest of missionary privations
is the scarcity of news from our beloved coun.
try. We cannot indulge in correspondence as |
our hearts prompt; for the postage of every
letter must be paid on this side the water, |
Though it may be refunded to the Missionary
Rooms in Boston by our friends in America \ |
and, moreover, we have not the precious mo- |
ments to spare from our pressing duties. We |
seldom see a new book from America, or even
. pamphlet or magasine. One religions news
paper finds its way to the Tocat station, and |
TO that we all eagerly turn, on its arrival, to
learn something Of our country's welfare.
But am making my letter too long. have
told you, as desired, of myself, and the new
country into which have wandered. Will not
some one or more of you, in return, tell me of
your meeting who were there, what was said,
and done, and sung?
Dear teachers and fellow-students, will you
not especially remember in your nravers a |