The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-17
The Christian Massacres In syria.

public meeting Of Christian laymen and ministers de-
wise the best means for the carly relief Of the unhappy
survivors of the brutal and arocous persccutous in s
ria met at the Of the Tract Society 100 Nassau
street, at four O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
On notion Pcletah Port, Esq., was unanimously
called TO the chair.
The Rev. DR.. BAIRD opened the proceedings with brief
but appropriate prayer.
Mr. HIRAM KErcuM drew attention to the fact that the
proceedings under which the committee acting
not altogether a commendabe one. lie thought there
necessity for different Kind OF organization. He
had himself taken great deal of interest in the year
1897 for the unfortunate Greeks whose voice OF distress
had reached this country The greatest interest
at that time displayed on behalf Of the Greeks I:
did not appear to him that this was the case
with the Christian Syriars though theirs was
case that ought to stir very souls
He did not think that any partial action should be taken
in this matter because the circumstances concerned tho
whole Christian world. Tho Protcssn,s had taken the
initiative although their fellow releonts had not suf
ered in any comparison with the Roman Catholics There
should therefore, be general movement Of Catholics and
Professionals uness was expected that assistance was
among Protestants But II they were 10 move behalf
Of crushed Christianity, then all Christians should
together He doubted the expodiency Of their meeting
simply as Protesiants Tho grave evcnts in Syria
interesting the British ana rcnch govern nent aud in
short tue all the Christian uatons OF the earth must
people, would not lag behind; any movement made
should be to aord relief to the suffering without distinc
ton OF creet For his part he did want To act
Protestant only but a. Christian, with bis Roman Cstho-
| lie brethren
tves OF the various Protestant churchss OF America and
course they ready operate with Proestuts
SO easily operate wh Roman Catholics He would like
know they could co operate With Catholics He did no.
think that such course was feasible and any attempt 10
bring II about would be futile and only tend defeat
the objects they had in view. He did not, In fact, opine
that the Roman Catholics would be willing 10 act With
Mr.. Krrcnrx inquired Of the chairman whether it was
contemplated 10 raise relief for The Proestans of Syria
alone
! The CHAIRshS said no such thing intended. The
fupds raised would DO applied TO the relief Of the suer
| ing, without distinction OF religious crceds.
Mr. KITCuuM again referred 10 the Of the Greek
struggles and SAID that the action OF the American peo
/ pie nj thai time sas general.
The CL,Ixuax said that was very different affair The
Greek movement was national for arms, untions,
and men ofwar were collected for the success Of the
movement II Involved no question OF religion at all,
and therefore everybod could together II then
Greek against TURK; the Christian against the
| barbarian.
| Mr. fKkp 2. wIssrox thought THAT every Christian
heart would be prompted 20 It's best efforts for the
aueoaton Of the condition Of tho survivors Of the Turk
ish barbarian In Syria Yet no did hot believe that II
possible for the Roman Catholics and Protestan's to
any movement during The last thrty years. and II
those who had set this WORK foot waited FOR union with
Roman Catholics they would not succeed. lie be.
| llcved himsef that was against thor
principles 10 unto with Protcstants. Tue committee
should its cxortions 10 such funds could DO
sus IN syria to be applied 70 the relief q All are
need That the fund.- sont gill be In the hands OF
sponsble Christian men, but too well In the high
character Of the American miss onaries Consus TO
which the chairman had borne his testimony, aud In
their e,fdcuyins cscrtions which had evoked maay
prsscs on the other side ofthc Atlantic.
Mr. frms Hovr made some general remarks on ,ee
necessity tor sc,,vey following up ho moyemssi a. Tue
sder He alluded also 30 the necessity for mcmoraxng
the government to keep an armed force IN the waters
lnfe hr MoSte he
seb,o Of American ships In the fAstrn
waters az salusary means Of oacck.pg ps,eman cx'
qucnty mado evident mud the government sho'd bear u
mind, a. nj the present moment hc dd not mix that
there than American vessel In TIC Ncdter
rancan
The cH,msss suggested The necessity Of Informing The
public through What channel they could contribute " tho
\ fund for the relief of tho destitute -yrans.
Mr.. GKESD HN8ocN said that as a great nation any
movement for the aid Of tue sufferers SHOULD be made 70
accord with the uagntr6c Ct The nation. The Protest
should al IN tbs iaudabe action. and be had
no doubt that tho Roman Cahuhcs would their rart.
The cathotc natons Of Furcpc such Franco and Aus
tra would al thcy could for their coreconsts,
ps md VII, ntTe attached 10 the Greek Church Esx.
aud and America With rrusf.a ard other Protcsfan's,
would not bchlndhnnd in assisting the Protcstsns,
though be Lored that thC money collected would be az
Piled IN the mosi general nauuer.
Mr. VIZ A. DovTB, VITO has recently returned from
essios ~ TIC syranr ana Arabs and the frugal
in ~h.eh they i've. a ball rIssires worth Of bread
rcrhe pas,rc being valued at four cents of American
currency lie had frequently been as,onshcd at the very
nte which these TEcrle could exist lie thought that
wncro money In zen, from this csunsry the American
Consuls and missionaries should be permitted ~ arpon
local n;ees tho SPOT for its distribution accord.
ing 10 the necessities Of the There number
of eminent American and Er -lsh gentlemen In Bcyrout
and other place. who would be glad 70 aid tho mssio,a
rlcs give the all tho Interest In their power
The funds were be applied in q scctarian manner
/ but were " BE- Distributed among the destitute and
starving, whether Christians, Druscs or Mussulnen
Wa A. Tooth, Esq we appointed Treasurer by sccls
nation and ct lrst declined, but Afterwards consencd
70 set .
| On motion of Mr. HmAS Kxrcnrx, wW resolved
thai funds be collected for tho relief of the destitute
and starv ing victims the hate In Syria, and that
the same the American missionaries and con-
suls In that country, under tho supervision o. this com
mttecn
Dr nrnp read an address 70 Tho public on the Syrisn
sacrcs which adopted, with the reservation that
be referred 10 sub committee OF two to BE- aobrcvat
cd Mcssrs Howe and Winston being appointed such com
| mittoo
was ALSO resolved that our fellow ctsecs 10 respect
fully and earnestly invited 70 send Minds mredaicy Y
Vim. A. Bcoth, IN, rrcAsurcf Of The oop,aucc, AZ W
| Front street, New York.
On motion Il vas rceovc that 5000 "a the Treasured
i In possossjon of $500 that he rers the same a. in
. str,cted.
Tho committee then adjourned 10 meet 81 tho gim'
! place ai the same hour On fhurSeAy nest.