The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-03-07
ATTITUDE OF THE MISSIONARIES IN
TURKEY.
BY EDWIN E. BLISS, D. D.

pied by the missionaries of the Board in re-
ference to certain questions which are so
prominent before the world. It has been
said, indeed, that we are hostile to the
"ChriStian cause" in this Empire. Those Of
US who reside at Constsntinople, believing
that our position, and, 80 far as it is known
to us, that of our associates throughout the
land, cannot be characterized as one of hos
tility, or even of indifference to the cause of
the Christian communities here, believing,
too, that our position will be approved by all
candid men in our own country, ask atten-
tion to the following statements:
1. The missionaries of the Board in Tur
key carefully abstain on principle from all
interference in political affairs. Any other
course would compromise their character as
religious teachers, and Justly expose them to
the animadyersion of the government whose
protection they claim. At the outset, before
the real character and purpose of our labors
were known, the missionaries we're sometimes
suspected and accused of having political de.
signs, and of being political agents of the
United States. A consistent adherence to
the principle above stated has long since
quieted such suspicious. Men recognize the
fact that the doctrines preached by the mis-
sionsrieS will, through their stimulating and
eleVatipg power, at length exert an influence
in the domain of politics; but they admit
the distinction between the legitimate infu-
ence of religious doctrine and political pro-
pagandism.
2. While carefully observing the rule of
non-interferenCe in political questions, the
missionaries have not hesitated to denounce
acts Of oppression coming under their obser-
walton, by whomsoever committed. Times
without number they have demonstrated with
Turkish officials and the ecclesiastical rulers
of the ChriStian- -communitiea, when found
guilty of such acts themselves, or conniving
at them in others. When the circumstances
required it, they have taken the necessary
steps to bring such acts to the notice of the
government, and failing of redress have in
important cases invoked the influence of Eu-
ropean and American public opinion, as also
the friendly Offices of foreign governments.
They have done this principally in reference
to violations of the rights of Coincidence
But as those violations almost always involve
violations of civil rights, what they have
been enabled to accomplish has had no little
influence to increase respect for civil rights.
Whatever the missionaries have done in this
line, they have done openly and above board.
They have had no motive for concealment,
believing, as they have believed, that their
conduct was in the interest of the govern
ment itself, helping to the realization of that
just and impartial administration which the
highest authorities in the land have so often
declared to be the object Of their desire and
efforts,- administration the lack of which
is as harmful to the Turkish as to the Chris
tian part of the population, and which is now
sought by the Christians more earnestly than
ever before, for the reason that their advanc.
ing intelligence quickenS their sense of the
evils of maladministrston. It is believed
that the position of the missionaries in this
respect is known to all classes, rulers and
subjects, as far as they themselves are known,
and that no one here has any doubt upon
which side they stand on the question of JUS
tice and equal rights for ALL As for the
particular political measures by which justice
and equality are to be secured, the mission
aries have no occasion to take any public
position.
8. During the exciting events of the past
months, and in reference to questions which
have recently come go prominently before
the world, the missionaries of the Board have
not departed from the policy above indicated
They have not identified themselves with any
political schemes; and they have endeavored
to discharge all the duties of Christian phil
anthropy, Much the larger part of the mis-
sionaries are stationed in Asia Minor, and
hava therefore had no direct connection with
the disturbed districts in European Turkey
None Of their number are in Servia, Mon.
tenegro, or Herzegovina. Among the Bul
garians four stations are occupied. So fal
as the missionaries at these stations exerted
any il flence in regard to the political agi
tation around them, it was to dissuade from
the attempt at insurrection, which brought
such fearful horrors in it's train. They strong
ly advised those who asked their advice to
seek redress of grievances by other means
than an appeal to arms. When the massa.
cres took place, those residing nearest the
scenes of these massacres were not in haste tc
report in reference to them, because they
found it impossible, in their position and il
the great excitement prevailing through th'
whole region, to ascertain the facts in tn,
case. As soon as a necessary regard to th'
safety of their own families would allow, they
visited the principal places in the ravaget