The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-11

OCC0SOO,
America may BE- expected to flow from this most
judiciOus proceeding.
Outrage ON an American Mlssl0nary In Syria.
[BeyrOut (kay ~ Correspondence Of London News
There has been disturbance at Zahleh since my
last which Is likely to be talked of both sides Of
the Atlantic Zahleh, must tell you, Is the largest
town in Mount Lebanon, and with its suburb, Mual-
lakah contains about 10000 inhabitants 1t is
situated the east slope Of the range just above
the plain of the Bukaa, and is distant from Beyrout
days journey of eight hours or about half way
between this and Damascus It Is considered the
headquarters of Romanism in this place, the people
priding themselves upon being all members OF either
the Latin or the Greek Catholic churches The
Jesuits, all Frenchmen, have large establishment
in the place; and the Greek Cath0lcs-that is mem
bers of the Greek church who are In communion
with Rome-have bishop, a convent, and numerous
priests in the town. Some six months ago an Ame-
rican missionary of the Presbyterian church took up
bis residence at Zahleh with the intention Ofearning
the Arabic language, and also of seeing whether, in
time, schools could not be established in the place.
The people themselves were glad to this gentle
man, as all over Syria the American schools have
first rate name; but the priests were exceedingly
angry at his presumption for coming amongst their
flock, and several times wrote him letters warning
him to leave the place. The Missionary name,
by the way, is Dod-replied that he was in his own
right in living where he liked; that he not aware
of having given anybody any Offences and that, with
all due Difference to the indignant ecclesiastcs he
unmOlested; but upon his concluding bargain for
the hire of house. which he engaged for term OF
seven years. the storm burst out again. One Of the
chief Greek Catholic priests visited him at the small
hotel where he was living, and said that unless he
took his departure forthwith the people Of the town
would rise and stone him out of the place Mr.. bod
answered that he did not think that likely, for the
inhabitants of Zahleh had always shown themselves
kind towards him. few days afterwards (only
fortnight ago), some ten dozen of the order
of priests together with of the French Jesuits,
came to his house and brought with them mules, up
which they said he must pack up his baggage and
be of. They were not accompanied by any of the
townspeople; but they said they were acting under
the orders of the bishop. Mr.. bod said to them
that II forced to go he could not help himself but
declared he would never move from what he consi-
dered his post of duty, Of his own accord. Upon
this, these gentle ministers of the Gospel, with their
own sacred hands threw out of the windows all his
books, clothes and furniture; also all that be-
onged to his wife and chid-the latter an infant in
arms. The French Jesuit took no active part in the
proceedings; but he did not prevent-which he
might have done by word, as the native priests in
Syria have the greatest fear and for all
European monks and more particularly for those of
his Order-the others acting as they did. The wo-
man-an old Italian, who keeps the small inn at
Zahleh, where Mr.. bod was iving-remOnstrated
with them for treating her ledger as they did, but
all she made by her move was to be beaten by them
very severely. They were then proceeding to eject
Mr.. bod and his wife; but as the former did not
wish to expose lady to the hands Of these fellows
he volunteered to move OFT at once. One would
have thought that in lonely far off place like
Zahleh, and, above all, under the circumstances
l have mentioned, an establishment composed of
European men Of education, more particularly men
who professed to be ministers Of the Gospel and
who call their order by the name OF our common Sa
viour, would have offered Mr. bod some assistance,
some shelter at least until he could make arrange
ments for his departure. But not So The Jesuits
of the place never much as made him the slightest
offer of assistance in any way whatever, and under
burning Syrian sun, at moments notice, was this
gentleman obliged to move off over1the mountains,
with his wife and young child, journey of eight
hours, to the house of the brother missionary who
1t is but just to the Turkish authorities to say that
they are not to blame for this outrage. Zahleh has
long been in a sort of passive rebellion against
fact, the people Of the place do very much they
like, and the only persons who have any command
over them are the priests and monks of the town.
The incident l have related seems TO prove that
country assert viz, that where the Christians pos
sess power in Asia they are to the full tyrannca
bigoted and bloodthersty as the Mosems have ever
shown themselves to be.
the matter TO drop. After taking his family TO
Bhamdoon he came on to Beyrout and reported the
case to Mr.. Moore, the English Consul General, who
is acting as American Consul, there having been no
Consul for the United States in Beyrout for some
time past. Mr.. Moore has taken up the matter with
great spirit, and through the Pacha of Beyrout has
sent an order to Zaheh for the chief Shieks
Of the place to proceed 10 Bhamdoon aud escort Mr..
bod back TO their town, making them responsible
that be will net be i'll treated or molested for the
future. To this the Shieks have agreed urging that
they had nothing whatever to do with the outrage.
which was the work Of the priests, and Of them
alone. But question much whether the affair will
be allowed to remain in sfafu quo. Brother Jonathan
is not the TO allow his fellow countrymen TO be
insulted with impunty. Mr.. Moore has done all
that he can in the matter; but suspect the Ameri
IN at nj w hp
rngleaders of this outrage being punished.