The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-12
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
LETTER FROM REV. J. h. BRYs0N.


LETTER FROM REV. J. H. BRYsoN.
DAMASCUS, SYRIA, Nov. 4th, 1877.
Dear DR.. Brown,-I will give you few
notes, from Smyrna to this old city of the
East. Leaving Athens / came by steamer
to the prosperous city of Smyrna, which is
the great commercial port of Asia Minor
1t is beautifully located at the head of the
bay. The English have built two railroads
out for some seventy miles into the interior,
which bring large trade to the city. The
French have built fine hsrbor for shipping.
The two great articles Of commerce are figs
and raisins; immense cargoes are shipped
from here to Europe and America.
In this city was located one of the seven
churches of Asia, to which reference is made
in the Book of Revelation. The city remains,
but all traces of the church are gone. had
hoped to get over to Ephesus, bat it was re-
garded as unsafe to spend night there be-
cause of malaria, and I had, with much re-
luctance, to give it up. The location of
Ephesus can be determined by few remains,
but that is all. Smyrna is fair sample Of
the eastern city, with the peculiar habits and
customs of eastern people. Here l saw the
camel for the first time as beast of burden,
and it is surprising to see what huge burdens
they can carry. The master divides the load
into two parts, then leads the camel between,
and tap on the leg makes him lie down
until the burden is tied on him. With q
groan he rises up and steps aside until the
whole train is loaded. The master puts them
all in line one after the other, and on the
neck of the rear one he fsstens a:lsrge bell;
he then mounts little donkey in front and
off the train moves for the interior of the
country.
From Smyrna our steamer passed south
ward touching at Chios, Rhodes and Cyprus,
on our way to Beyrout. In this journey We
passed along the track of the Apostle Paul in
some of his missionary tours going to and from
Ephesus and on to Jerusalem. Iregret very
much We did not pass near enough the island
of Patmos to get sight Of it. The islands
of the Egean Sea, and all the coas: Of Asia
Minor are covered with rugged mountains, af
fording but little land susceptible of culture
The grape seems everywhere to be the chief
product.
Early in the morning We cast anchor in
the harbor of Beyrout, and crowd of boat
men were soon on the steamer, ready to take
the passengers ashore. Here the Custom
House officials were to be met again, and at
these eastern ports the traveller has to pay to
get in, and to get out. Beyrout is beautiful
ly situated, and being on the side of hill,
there is fine view of the sea from all parts
of the city. Just back of the town is Mount
Lebanon, all terraced and cultured to the
top. 1t is said that forty villages can be
seen scattered over the sides of the mountain
from Beyrout. These villages are not very
attractive looking places to an American
traveller, being only a few mud huts, in which
donkies, goats, chickens, and the owner, all
stay in the same apartments. Beyrout is the
commercial port of Syria. The trade of the
East comes to this point by the excellent road
from here to Damascus. Here too are located
the colleges of the American missions for all
these eastern countries. We have had the
pleasure of seeing these institutions, and
learning the great work they are doing for
this bsnighted people. R,v. DR.. Bliss is the
able and efficient President of the college for
young men. The course of study embraces
four years in the literary department., and
four years in the medical department. The
institution has sent out about seventy-fve
graduates in all, and forty-seven have taken
the medical course. Many of these young
men have shown fine minds, and are succeed.
ing we'll 10 their professions. More than two.
thirds of the graduates have become mem
bers of the church. The medical school has
already been made a branch of the Imperial
school at Constantinople, which shows the
influence the institution is exerting all over
the country. The college buildings are ex
cellent, located on rocky cliff, commanding
a magnificent view of the sea, and the noun
tains of Lebanon. The female college, which
is most admirably conducted, s also doing 8
great and good work in more private way
These two institutions are the hope of thil
country, and may the Lord bless them more
and more.
After pleasant visit to Beyrout we took
the French Diligence for Damascus, which ii
a long ride of seventy.two miles, but the roat
is excellent and horses are changed every
hour. The west side of Mount Lebanon ii
cultured with vine and fig tree wherever 6
handful of earth can be found, and IN the
early spring the green terraces must look
very beautiful. As the road curved around
winding up the mountain side, we frequently