Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-07-19

industry of the christians for their owl
revenues, and use every means 10 win thei
favor, and they know well that genera
war would deStory not only the christian:
houses, but also those of the Druzes, ant
thus bring ruin upon the whole country
Self-interest thus prompted them TO Use
every means To preren' war.
On Saturday night there was an awful
stiffness over the whole mountain. The
most of the people spent sleepless night,
with their guns loaded Early ON Sunday
morning all of the Protestauts of Abeill
came TO Mr.. Calhoun to ask his advice
They expected war, but did not wish TO
fight on either side. What should they
do? He sent them TO Kassim Beg, the
Druze governor of the village, who is a
man of decidedly peaceful disposition, and
the Beg requested them to take refuge in
the premises of the American mission.
At ten o'clock the students of the SEM
mary, and the little Protestant community
assembled in the chapel for divine worship.
After the Invocation, the 9lst psalm
was read, together with the Sth chapter of
Romans, and ever word seemed written for
the occasion. Anxiety, fear and nervous
excitement were depicted on every counten-
ance, and the sweet soothing words of the
psalmist, were like oil on the troubled wa
tiers. After the reading came tho prayer,
and just as it was concluded, man came
running by the chapel, screaming for some
friend who was within. This startled every
person present, but none left the house,
The hymn was then read in Arabic, trans
lation of "My faith looks up tc Thee; !"
and just as the preacher was reading the
words, "When griefs around me spread, be
Thou my guide" loud shout, followed
by the discharge of twenty guns, started
every one to his feet. Every face turned
pale, and in moment not one person re-
mained in the cbaple. The whole popula-
ion were running to and fro, women and
children screaming and crowding to the
house of Mr.. Calhoun. One man had
been killed, and parties of armed Druzes
were marching about, singing their fen
dish war song, which is still ringing in my
ears as l write. As soon as the truth was
known, there were more quiet. 1t seems
the firing was only salute to the begs, by
the people of neighboriDg village, and
Druze hearing it, and supposing the war
had begun, shot the first christian he met
Fifty of the leading Maronite men of the
village fled at once to sea-shore, a fight
took place half mile below, the christian
village of Ain Rufeal was burned by Dru-
zees of Aramoon, and there was general
alarm. The begs sent around word to as
sure US Of safety; but it was evident all
day that trouble was not far off
On Monday and Tuesday the war went
on in earnest. Tannoos Beg moved for
ward his disordered forces toward the south
rom Dog river, and ON Tuesday night
reached Babda, southeast of Beirut. On
morning the Druzes rushed
lown from the mountains, drove back the
Christians, burned the villages of Babda,
Ell Hadeth, and Wady Shehroor, and
'ent the air with shouts of triumph. To
be east, the Christians burned in all thir-
,een Druze villages. On Thursday morn
ug We left Abeih for Beirut, via Suk Ell
1harb, taking with US from the latter
place Miss Temple one of the teach
IFS of the female boarding school, with
line of the girls, and nearly hun
lred of the poor villagers followed in our
rain, to have the protection of the compa-
~ of Franks and guards in escaping from
he mountain. To the north, in the Metir
district, the war was raging violently as
We came down the mountain. Near El
1adeth the rocks were stained with the
blood of the Druz,s wounded the day be-
ore. We reached Beirut just after sunset,
grateful enough to have escaped. Mr..
Bliss and family came down to-day (Sat-
lrday,) and DR.. Thompson has just started
or Abeih and Deirel Komr to bring down
dr. Bird and Mr.. Calhoun and their fami-
les.
They are now well and safe, but the
onsul wishes all Americans to leave the
at such a time as this. Nearly
fifty villages and hamlets have been burn
d, and the work is still going on. The
'asha of Beirut has gone up to Khan Med
irej with an army; but is said TO be ST.
ing with the Druzes against the christians,
S he regards the latter as rebels, on ac-
cunt of beginning the war. The French
ag has been insuted and Frenchman
illed, and the French fleet is expected here
n Sunday June 8. A thousand reports
re in circulation about the intentions of
he French, and they may have designs on
'eria. In Mount Lebanon there is almost
famine-men are living on wheat which
hey rub between their hands. Many will
ges have not an ounce of floor, and the
Dads arecut off by the war Hundreds
ave already died by the sword, but more
ill die of famine, if this imbecile govern
lent allows this fiendish war to 90 on.-
lssure your readers that the Americsns
Il safe and sound. Missionary work is,
course chiefly interrupted. II is time
" earnest prayer, on the part of christians
America, for this desolsted land, and
lay the Lord cause it TO result in the fur
lerance Of his kingdom.