The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-03
S2,776 II
Our Mission in Greece.


arr from Athens, February 1st:
I do not think we ever entered upon q
year with more earnest purpose to do what
is in our power, nor with deeper feeling
that the issues of all things are in the hands
Of God. The peculiar circumstances of the
country tends to increase this feeling, for no
one can even yet predict what course the
war may take as to Greece and the Greek
provinces belonging to Turkey, where our
stations arc. We only know that God is
pledged to establish His kingdom in the
world, and we look for wider fields to be
opened to the gospel through these over.
turnings in the East. We have some solicit
tude for our friends at Volos since the rising
there. Thirty Greek families arrived at the
Piraeus last night from that place. Ayoung
man came to US yesterday from Broosa on
his way to our school at Volos, but We shall
DOT send him on till we know something
more definite about the prospects there. We
are pleased with his appearance. We hope
that means may be furnished to help these
young men. We must have workers ready
for the fields opening before US. We were
very much impressed with that when our
brethren we're together for the annual
meeting.
These younger men already employed need
additional advantages of culture, and what.
ever may be said about the danger of giving
the natives chance to learn the languages
there can be no question about it here
There is universal craving after knowledge
The commonest Greeks demand that in those
who would be in any sense their guides, and
all those who have any claim to be educated
are at least acquainted with the French, al
it is taught in all schools without additional
charges. For our evsngelists, Eoglish is fal
more important than French, not only be
cause there is really more valuable help il
that language, but because We have suct
helps at our command and can better direc
their reading than through the French. Thu
brethren all feel this and are very anxious t
learn, but there are not the same facilities
for learning English as French and German
There is no Professor of English in the Uni
vefsity, and only one for all the gymnasia
We should regard it as good omen fol
Greece if we could see English literature TAKE
the place in the country that French doe
now. We find the educated men employing
themselves with the theories which occupied
France century ago, while they have little
interest in the patient investigation Of Ger
man scholarship, and Eoglish they are
scarcely acquainted with. We desire very
much that our American missionary should
be able to reach the more cultivated men OIL
Athens. By association with them he mus,
learn their habits of thought and feeling ant
be able to help them. We are glad that Mr.
Sampson (who expects to join the mission
this summer from our Synod of Virginia,
already knows German so that he may enter
into social relations at once. There is wild.
field before him. I hope he may be more
greatly blessed than any that may have gone
before--blessed in seeing fruit, rich and
abundant for the Masters praise.
A deep and earnest feeling was manifest
during the week of prayer. Most of the
brethren left in the middle of November tc
return to their respective fields, but they
went with the feeling that the one great OBJ
oct is to reach souls-to lead them to Christ
God grant that the year may be one Of in.
gatherings. Mr.. Kszscos arrived after the
close of the meetings; spent week with uf
before going to Saloniks. The night before
he left we had meeting Of the church mem
bers at the house of one Of them, and talked
of the need of each one who knows the love
of Christ doing all be can, in every humble
way, to lead others to the truth. This feel
ing is also prominentin cur little meeting fol
prayer with the women. There are two oil
them who seem not far from the kingdom.