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

dents and observing men. The developments |
are sometimes almost startling, and always in
teresting and profitable matters of general |
knowledge. This site of one of the seven
churches of Asia, was built by Seleneus Mica |
tnr. perhaps about two hundred and ninety |
five years before the Christian era, during !
time of peace. After he had achieved many |
triu1uphs over his enemies, he formed an alli- |
snce with >Sandrocothus, an Indian King. In
connection with whom he conquered Amigo
aus IN final battle, called the battle of 1psus,
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
bull. few years after the cessation OF war
The modern name OF what remains Of il is call
ed Ak-hicar and it is situated on the river Hy
las, on the borders OF Lydia and Mysia, on
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
the gospel was introduced into Thyatira,
whether by Paul from Ephesus, or upon the
return of Lydia from Phillippi, whether she
did not first announce the glad tidings like the
woman Of Samaria, and thus became an instru
1nent 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 full of interest
ing events connected with the spread of chris
tianitv. The Jews had places erected for
reading the law and prayer, in the places where
they were scattered, and accordingly in Phil
lipi they repaired 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 evinced.
Thyatira was celebrated for the manufacture
Of fine fabric, and for the art of dyeing the
most beautiful purple. 1t entered largely in
to the coloring Of the royal habiiiments, 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
~ ~, =
Turkish name of the place means 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 Ak-hicar IN
which the most of the inhabitants worship
There are thirty thousand inhabitants, all OF
whom are Turks except about three thousand
Greeks and Arme9iabRe besn snFifibd distributed among
Hen TO some extent, and they have two
churches. one for each denomination. Here,
ss elsewhere, in this country, the pure priIni-
tive christianity of the scriptures is unknown,
and its claims are as strong upon the churches
of this country for Bibles and Missionary Ia
Dor as any part of Heathendom.
The surrounding scenery of this city is ex-
ceedingly beautiful. The mountains on eth
er side ranging with the wide plain in which
the City stands with their beautiful undula-
tions covered with Cyprus trees, presented to
the eye fine view of a 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 overhuug with the deep and pa
ier 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 ex-
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
not, and accordingly the candlestick is reno
Fed out of its place. Like the other places
mentioned, this is standing monument of
Divine displeasure, and testimony to the
New Testament scripture.
There is a melancholy and yet hopeful feel
ing steals over the imagination in the contem-
plation of those once splendid and populous
cities, now all diapdated and wasted, if not
entirely oTerthrown and destroyed. While
we linger upon the scenes of falling cities, as
they pass away before invading armies, vast
ing pestilence, or overwhelming earthquakes,
as direct Judgment of Heaven in fulfilment of
threatings revealed; may anticipate the
advantage of the fact in future attempts to
spread the Gospel in those cities, that monu-
mental testimony stands all around asserting
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