The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-12

Y system f lying and deceit. Frequent
there were propositions of compromise mad
y to us to evade the law, which We would blus
8 to own bad we acceded to them. Once it wa
e suggested to Miss Kyle to pay priest, hav
4 him come certain number of times
0 month, shut him up in room alone an
then report to the government that prizes
visited her school regularly. Almost an.
t such compromise could have been made, an
our school would this day stand, humanl.
8 speaking, upon sure basis.
But we know the ladies of the Societ,
whom We represent, and We feel sure al
Christian people at home would say, No
let the trial be as great as it may, rather lie
, your work be stopped than compromise; )
and 30 we have acted and the trial has come
and We feel that we are passing through TIT
deep waters, and our hearts are bleeding a
every pore. Just the same trial has come tt
US, which came to those whom some of III
knew and loved very dearly, more thar
thirty years ago; and the same law which
crushed out and tramped under foot the
good that was then being done for the souls
of this people, is now tying our hands, and
crushing US to the ground.
Our beloved school opened this year with
brighter prospects than last, at the close Of
the first month We numbered one hundred
and eight scholars, fourteen of whom were
boarding pupils; these with the two little ser
wants who attended the school, young
Greek teacher and our cook, made in all
eighteen who came directly under the reli-
gious instruction of our family, which We en-.
deavored in every respect to make like a
Christian family in our own land. I be-
ieve there was not child in the house who
did not regularly practice private prayer,
and most of them reading of the Scriptures
in private.
We were unmolested in any way until the
18th of October, when We were visited by a
committee of FIVE, who came officially to en-
quire into the condition of things. They
examined our permission, which was the one
given to Miss Kyle when she first opened
the school. This, they informed us, would
not do for US, and asking the direct question,
"Will you receive the priest or not?" We
replied "No;" they then stated that no
further permission would be granted us to
receive Greek children, that is, children of
the Greek Church. They told us that this,
from them, was not official, but we would re-
ceive an order from the Minister of Educa.
tion. This order came after ten days of
untold suspense and anxiety. In the mean
time, at the earnest solicitation of one of
our most Influential patrons, we endeavored
to have personal interview with the Minis
ter of Education; to beg that he would him
self, before signing the order, inquire into
the facts of the case, and ascertain if the
school now or ever had engendered any evil
designs or doctrines to the children. But
both at his private residence and at his pub
lie Office, during his hours for reception, he
positively refused to see US. So We were IN.
heard, and the order came by the hands of
q policeman; it was to this effect-that We
should close the school within twenty.four
hours, or force should be used and the rea.
son assigned was,-"we had no permission" "
This was utterly false, for had We consented
to comply with the law regarding the priest,
&c., the permission would have been changed
within twenty-four hours.
The order was Immediately complied with,
and at the noon intermisson the children
left US, amid many tears and bitter lamenta-
tions.
The day following, that same committee Of
five, accompanied by two priests and Greek
gentleman of our acquaintance, came to en-
force the law; but they found there was no
need for force. They then forbade, under
the penalty of the law, any lessons with the
pupils whatever, gave US eight days in which
to send away our boarders, and said we could
be prosecuted for what We had already done
-"taught without permission. They can
not prevent our girls remaining with US as
boardsrs, though only yesterday We were
subjected to the unpleasantness of having ar
official visit from policeman, who came tt
inspect into matters, and see that we were
obeying the laws. Is there in this world 6
country, civiliz ID or unci0ilized, where We
American citizens, could be subjected to sucl
inconveniences
The day following the faal closing of th'
school, We sent in request, endorsed by
petition from the parents, to give US imme
dately another permission like the forme
for Greek children; if this would not b.
granted, We demanded, as our just rights,
permission for purely evangelical school
Our representative, Gen. Read, is absent, O.
we would have submitted the matter at one
to him but in his absence the paper hs
been presented for US by Greek, acting a
American Consul here. We believe he j
, doing all he can, but nothing definite yet ha
been done. He tells US that there is n
hope for the school as it was, and he think
that in every possible way, they are going t
tie our hands, so that if possible we canno
receive children of the Greek faith.
8 Greece truly has need of the prayers 0
t Christian people. The young people here