The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-12-31
Tho Syrian Converts.


on since 1868, amongst the Moslems of
movement and the prosecutions to which
the converts are subjected by their Govern
ment, we publish the following from the
London Tablet, of the I'd inst:
In commenting on the extraordinary
facts which have come to our knowledge
respecting the wholesale conversions from
Mahomedanism in Syria, we mentioned
some time ago that inquiries had been ad-
dressed to us with the object of ascertain
ing the authority upon which such start
ling statements rested. We now revert to
the subject, for the purpose of drawing at
tention to q communication which has just
reached US, and which we publish below.
The name of Mr.. Tyrwhitt Drake is well
known to the English public as an intrepid
explorer, and is at present peculiarly asso-
ciated with the countries which are the
scenes of these extraordinary events as it
is to his energetic enterprises and scientific
accuracy that the researches in Syrian geo.
graphy and archaeology. undertaken by the
Palestine Exploration Fund, have been en-
trusted. lie writes from Damascus, the
very centre of the marvellous movement.
Mr.. Drake is not Catholic, and his testi-
mony to the facts of the conversions and
the consequent prosecutions is all the more
valuable on that account. His confirma.
publicity is more than complete. "You
have," he says, "an exceedingly well-in-
formed correspondent, but one who seems
hardly aware what enormous proportions
this movement is assuming in the districts
of HUNS, Hannah, and even Aleppo. The
almost impossible to calculate, but believe
that, in the whole of Syria, twenty to
twenty five thousand is moderate compu-
| tation."
We were folly aware that our iRformant's
estimate of the number OF these extraordi,
nary converts was far below the truth, and
that, numerous as they were, they were
multiplying every day. We thought 1t
| safer, however, to limit our statement to
the earliest and most restricted account, in
order that we might be certain to avoid
even the very least exaggeration of the
facts. We had reason to believe that in
Damascus and the neighboring villages and
Bedouin tribes the number of these "secret
Christians" was not far from Is 900, but. we
have now the authority of we'll known
Englishman on the spot for estimating at a
still higher figure the amount OF these con-
versions throughout the country.
There are two points to which we desire
to call the earnest attention, not only OF
Catholics, but of the English public gen
orally. One is, that these conversions are
of O most marvelously exceptional charac-
ter. Putting aside for the time the super e.
, accompanied them-thouGh We may say
that We have ourselves received per-
sonal testimony to the truth of those occur
rences which appears to US as Absolutely
notwithstanding aside, we say, all tina
is absolutely and in itself Supernatural
we have to observe, not only that CONVEX
sior from Mahomedanism have been hither
to almost unknown, but that these particu
lar conversions, counted, as they are, b!
thousands, have been purely spontaneous
we mean that they are the work of no hu
man teacher. the result OF no preaching
propaganda. Nothing is more certain thai
;, that the converts who came to tn
u Father Guardian of the Franciscan
: to profess their faith and ask for instruc
= ton, had previously been in no communi
. cation whatever with any Christian teacher
. . Their conversion was simply the fruit q
o earnest, prolonged and united prayer. i
Catholics it will occur, that, if such has,
these instances, been the wonderful efec
v of simple prayer for light, without an
;, reservation of self, or any rejudged con
= clusion whatever, one can scarcely sa
!, what might not be hoped for those, even
. our own land, who are without Inc pare
z truth, if they set about search TOR IL
>. the same way and in the same spirit. u
u the thoughtful and religiously dispose
~ public in general we would press the spor
~ taniety of these conversions and the NOR
- courage which, under Mussulman rui
they muSC nave TequiLCu, ao % PAooh VI ~
, reality and earnestness of the movemen
. and Of the claim which these witnesses
the faith have upon the support OF
Christian nations.
This brings us to the second point, whi'
~ we wish again to urge with all possio
earnestness and force. The twelve COME
sors who have been banished to the interi
of Barbary still remain there. They we
n sent there in defiance of treaties, and
he contravention of the Hatti-Sherif, viii
protested to secure to the subjects of t
Porte full liberty to profess the Christie
religion. Not only so, but they were to
from their families, who would, as n
ne. Drake assures US, have persisted from wa
,ur if they had not been succored by their 4
low Christians. More than this, in the IL
lation of a half savage settlement, tn
fanaticism Of despotic local authorities
an excited populate. They are in consts
danger of this, aud they and i their fam Ill
ID know it. They might perish, and nc
~ might be tue wiser-or plausible P
the text for their death might easily be lou