St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-10-01
Letter from Turkey.

there is quite a full representation Of
missionaries from different parts of the
various fields in Turkey, and we have
been detained here much longer than
We expected on account of the length
of the meeiipgs-for there are so many
complicated questions to discuss and
decide this year. OF course in such a
company, there is a diversity of opin-
ion concerning the best methods of la
Dor. whether the same rules which
govern the enlightened cosmopolitan
city OF COnstantinople are always ad-
visable and practicable for the Interior
Also in the present status of affairs,
what additional expense it is best to in
cur in extending our field of labor and
in employing more cO-wolkers among
the natives. Miss West has arrived from
Smyrna with new plans and petitions.
1t is reported that Miss Rapphye is to
give up her school at BroOsa and go to
America to fulfil the dying request of a
loved friend, who wished her to take
charge of her children and family.
This is the best season to visit this
city, when every thing is so fresh and
green, before the scorch;ng summer sun
has burned up vegetation. We learn
Mr.. Fuller of st. Johnsbury has been
here on visit, and 1 will not attempt
a description of this city, for you will
probably have a graphic one from his
pen in the CaIedOniaR. 1t would have
been pleasant to have seen him, but it
is a singular fact that you will find
VermOnters all over the world. We
see Miss Gleason of McIndoe's Falls al
most daily at the meetings. She is also
studying the Armenian language. Miss
Bliss, who was at st. Johnsbury for
some time, is now at her fathers and a
very hospitable and charming home one
finds it. 1t seemed quite n coincidence
one day to find ourselves seated at ta-
BILE by the side of DR.. and Mrs. Gulick,
missionaries in Japan, and learn that
Mrs. Gulick was the daughter of Rev.
Ephraim Clark of Peacham, VT: 90
years a missionary in the Sandwich Is
lands. They are very excellent and in
telligent people, but the DR.. is much
worn by his labOrs, and is on his way to
visit brother in Spain.
The delegates to this meeting are
scattered around among the missiona-
ry families here. Sometimes we break
fast at one place, dine at another, and
go out among the suburbs to spend the
night. In this way we become acquaint-
ed with all the missionary families
here. 1t is more agreeable than board
ing around among teachers in the cOun-
try, for you always receive a kind and
cordial welcome. r. Hissar is one
of the farther suburbs, and gives us one
of the longest boat rides to the meet
ings. We enjoyed our stay here
much, for the high cliff upon which the
houses seem to hang, reminded me OF
Giesbach in Switzerland. The location
of Robert College is very fine. The
scenery on the Bosphorus seems so de-
lightful, after being eight months in the
Interior when the water is smooth the
motion of the caiques is so easy, and
such a restful way of riding, we would
not object to transportation into the
Interior in this manner, but these boats
are not safe in a storm.
l think that the missionaries here are
very broad in their charity, and always
speak so kindly of all new missionaries
that come out, and of course they are
more liable to make many mistakes
from ignorance but the older mission
aries only smile, and consider the sin
of ignorance should be winked at. The
houses of the missionaries built by the
natives are liable to have so many
creeping things of various kinds, it is
sometimes quite difficult to get proper
ly quarantined before taking possession
of them. Some one has said it was an
excellent place for the study of Natur-
al History, especially the department
of Entomology. We could but admire
the serenity of lady the other day, i'll
crossing the BospbOrous, who quietly
removed a few olive geese feathers
from the clothes of her companion, anG
calmly gazed off on the beautiful scene
beyond. If the virus was not so poison
out to us, we might hope to attain tt
such desirable equanamty of mind.
You would be surprised and pleased
to visit the school at the "Home.'
Nearly hundred pupils aud eight diff
ferent nationalities represented, ant
they intend to make English the com
mon language of the school. You woulC
be gratified to see how well some O
them converse in it now. l heard classes
recite in Roman and General History
of course their textbooks are simple
you would call them primers in com.
parison with those used in America. A
class in Botany was also very interest
ing. 1t costs a great deal to go round
the city, and it is tiresome to walk, the
streets are so badly paved, but there
are many pleasant and interesting
places to visit.
BLACK SEA.
You would smile to see us extended