The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-10
A Statement in Regard to the Work in Mac
edonia its Interests and Importance and
the Necessity Of having an American
Missionary ResideoJ at salonlka.

the Necessity or having an American
Missionary ReSldeoJ sc salonlka.
Adopted by the Greek Mission and direct
ed to be forwarded to the Missionary Com
mittee at Baltimore.
Owing to peculiar obstacles and diff'ul-
ties in the kingdom of Greece (of which you
are aware by far the most hopeful and in
teresting fields Of our mission are 20 be found,
not in Greece proper, but among the Greeks
Of Turkey For the real success Of this
"Greek Mission" it is of the first impor-
tanee that we should have stations, we'll
manned and efectually worked, among these
Greeks in Turkey. Aud while any Mission
for the Greeks must have its principal sta
ton at Athens-which for all Hellenisss is
the centre, political, educational, literary,
ecclesiastical, &c., yet, the establishment Of
stations in Turkey is essential if not TO the
existence, certainly to the highest efficiency
aud success of the work among the Greeks.
For reasons already communicated to you,
Macedonia was thought to be the most invit-
ing field, and Salonika the most important
point in European Turkey. 1t was accord
ingly occupied by Mr.. Mich@ides in Janu-
ary last. So important did it seem that this
point should be at once manned, that DR..
Kalopothakes did not wait for the consent of
the Committee at home. Since that time
there has been no reason to change our views
in regard to that place and field, bat much
to strengthen and confirm them.
But now for the matter more specially in
hand, viz: The Importance and necessity
of hauiag an american Missionary at Sa-
lOnika, and that speedily &? Among others
we mention the following reasons, VIZ:
l. The Importance of the place itself, es-
pecially as centre for missionary opera
tiOns in Turkey. Saloniks is the capital cf
the large and productive province Of Mace
donia, which is city Of one hundred thou
sand inhabitants, with fifteen or twenty chou
sand Greeks; it Is also the chief seaport of
European Turkey, and is the natural centre
of missionary operations among the Greeks
in that country.
?. The experience of the brother now Oc.
cupying that post. Mr. NJ, We believe 10
be true Christian and good man, and in
many respects he is most admirably fitted
for the position yet he is young in the
Christian life and entirely without expert
ence in conducting missionary operations
He very much needs the advice and assist
ance of one with greater knowledge and ex-
perience. This no feels himself, and no one
was more earnest than he in urging Mr..
Leybura, Sr., to come to SalOnika.
3. Mr.. MicLaides is a Greek, and a
Turkish subject. On this account he cannot
command the same respect as an American,
either from his Own people or the Turks; mol
has he the same rights and privileges as al
American citizen would have before the law
Hence as the representative of our mission
before the Turkish government and officials
on questions that may arise from time tt
time he would be great advantage. TIT
presence Of an American would at once give
to our mission, both in society and in law, {
character and position which it cannot other
wise attain for long time, if ever. l
would command the respect of both Turk
aud Greeks, would secure rights from th
Turkish government, denied to its own sub
jects and might encourage some who nov
hold back through timidity to declare them
selves openly in favor of Evangelical Chris
tianity.
To sum all up-QuestiOns affecting tn
interest, perhaps the very life of our wOrl
and mission in Turkey are liable to arise a
any time, which in the present state of al
fairs it may be both difficult and expensiv
to settle satisfactorily, but which could b
easily solved, if not prevented altogether,
there were an American missionary at Sa
lOnika.
4. The only other society (of the eatat