Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-02-08
LIE IN ABYSSINIA.


There is scarcely a country on the map
of the earth more interesting to either the
Christian inquirer or the student of his
tory than the kingdom Of Abyssinia.
Situated almost in the centre of the torrid
zone, between the land of Egypt, the
country of the barbarous Shangalla, the
Red Sea, and the great African Desert, it
seems cut off alike from the knowledge |
and the commerce of Europe. There
are, nevertheless, links that it bind it TO
the sympathies of Christendom. Abys-
sinia was the ancient Ethiopia so often
mentionedin the Scriptures, and governed
by that queen Candace, whose treasurer
was instructed and baptized by the Apos-
tie Philip. The natives assert that their
country was Sheba, and in the days Of its
ancient glory was governed only by
queens; one of whom, having journeyed
to hear the wisdom of Solomon, established
the Hebrew faith on her return, which
continued to be the religion of the land till
it was converted to Christianity by the
preaching of Philip. The story in the
Acts seems, in some degree, to favor this
tradition. The treasurer was probably
the disciple of Moses before he became
that of Christ; and it is certain, that not
only did the prosecuted Christians of
Egypt find refuge in Abyssinia from the
pagan Romans and the invading Saracens,
but, ever since the middle of the fourth
century, the form and profession Of Chris
tianty has been maintained in that African
land, in spite Of continual wars among its
different tribes, and with the pagan and
Mohammedan nations by whom it is sur
rounded. The light thus long preserved
is, however, but a feeble flame struggling
through the thick darkness of degrading
superstition, dissolute morals, and general
barbarism. The Abyssinian Church re-
tains, besides a multitude of minor OBJ
servances, that peculiar ceremony of the
Mosaic law which Christian baptism su-
seded it observes both the Jewish and
Christian Sabbaths; and though never
subject to the Romish pontif, patronizes
monachism, enjoins the alteration of saints
and does little for the instruction of either
people or clergy.
Abyssinia has, moreover, some natural
features of peculiar interest. The country
consists of mountain chains, with wide
valleys, or rather plains, between them.
One of the highest of these ridges divides
it into two provinces, which, as it were,
interchange the seasons. While the trop-
ical winter pours down its continuous rain
on the eastern side. the cloudless sky of
summer bends over the western. When
the rain sets in there, the summer returns
to the east, and the natives follow that
genial season by migrating with all their
focks across the mountains. The teff, or
corn Of Abyssinia, is grain no larger
than the head of a small pin. In its val
leys grazes the great gala OK, with horns
four feet in length. In its southern hills
lie the fountains of the Nile, first made
known to Europe by the enterpIising and
much-critictsed traveller Bruce. Very few
have followed his steps even in our trav-
cling times. The track lies too far from
European civilization. Butt latest ex-
plorer, Mr.. Mansfield Parkyns, has lately
published the notes and observations Of
a pedestrian journey through the whole
length Of Abyssinia in very interesting
work.
Like true and hardy traveller, he as
sumed the habit and equipments Of an or
binary native, wearing the costume and
accepting the privations of the country.
His dress was long coarse cotton scarf,
with drawers of the same. A red cap,
with which he reached the first town, was
borrowed of him and never returned; the
sandals were given up in less than amonth,
and for three years, Mr.. Parkyn says,
[ wore no covering to my head, except
a little butter when / could get it, nor to
my feet, except the horny sole, which q
few months rough usage placed under
them"
In this primitive equipage the traveller
journeyed over the great plains. Many
are his strange pictures of shepard vii
lagos, with flocks grazing on the bound
less pastures round them; of circular
churches, with thatch roofs and pillars Of
cedar of mountain fortresses built high
on the gray rocks of towns with earthern
ramparts, and merchant caravans with
their laden oxen and elephants. Mr.. Par
kyns also tells Us something of the courts
and camps Of those petty and rather un-
certain princes, whose wars and usurpa-