Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-08
THE TROUBLES SYRIA.

The American board have nine missionary
stations in Syria, nine out stations, eleven
| missionaries, one printer, thirteen female
assistant missionaries three native preachers,
thirty six teachers, and other native helpers.
ALL or nearly all, of these missionaries were
gathered at Beirut, at last accounts, having
left their stations for place of greater safety /;
and as Beirut is now the rendezvous of a large
European naval force, no fears need be enter
tanned for their safety. The PresbyteranS
also have missions in that country. The last
news from Damascus of the massacre of five
hundred Christians is given without date, but
it doubtless occurred soon after the 23d of
June. Hasbeiya, the place blotted out Of ex-
istence by the bloody Druses, constituted with
Sidou one half of the mission in extent and
population, and also in the number of church
es and church members in attendance upon in
structfon.
The New York Observer publishes letter
from the Rev. VIM M. Thompson, Missionary
of the American Board in Syria, and author of
ssThe Land and the Book'' from which we take
the following, which explains the heretofore
almost incomprehensible condition of affairs
in that country
1st. The European governments having a.
dopted Turkey In the general family of nations,
consummated their folly by deciding that no
interference with her governmental operations
was to be allowed. Hence, the Consnls of all
nations found themselves parayzed by posi-
tive instructions forbidding them to do any,
thing to arrest this mad and internal work.
I'd. Beirut has been governed for the last
few years by an old, talented, but most bigot-
ed Pasha, who has managed to get the Chris
tains of Kesrawan, of Zaheh, and of Deir ell
kamr into state of semirebellon against
himself, and he has been plotting their de-
struction for long time. By increasing the
| ill-wi!l between all classes, and especially by
stirring up the hatred OF the Druses towards
| the Christians. he has now succeeded.
| Sd. The Christians having been now for so
| many years without any acknowledged head
found themselves utterly disorganized and
| unabled to resist the wild onslaught of their
enemies. Except at Zahleh, they have made
no real resistance. The whole affair was
driven through with startling rapidly. All
| Lebanon was in blaze in one day. The
| Turkish Government everywhere assisted the
| Druses.
4th. l regard the success Of the Druses
and its accompanying atrocities as their final
and utter destruction as a body. Never
| again will they rule over Christians. Remem-
| ber that the scenes of cold -booded butchery
/ of unarmed men, of women, of priests, monks
| and nuns, not to speak of confagrations OF
| towns, villages, hamlets, churches, converts
| &C., has no parallel in the history of Lebanon
l have this very year read through the entire
| history of Lebanon, since the Arabs have re-
sided on it, and it contains nothing that can
compare with this tremendous tragedy.
! 5th. There were no European ships of wa
on this coast at the outbreak, and they are just
| beginning to assemble. but their coming is
certain, and non Intervention is at an end
! The Consuls yesterday received orders all to
| act in, concert to stop the war.
9th. 1t is expected that Russia and France
will act separately from England, Austria and
Prussia. and the downfall of the whole Turkish
Empire may be looked for. i am slow to blow
the trumpet of alarm, but this grand and
| fearful result is not improbable.