Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-11
Written fUT the Free Press.
lettings Of Travel.

AMERICANS IN CoNsTANTINorLE.
Constantinople has very large foreign
population, chiefly Europeans. As the diff
fcrent nationalites of Turkey do not blend
with each other, but maintain their national
characteristics from century to century, so
these foreigners, though living in Turkey
generation after generation, cling closely to
their peculiaritiss and rights as citizens of
more civilized governments. The English
are 80 numerous that several churches are
maintained, there is an English postotlice
building with a postmaster and corps of
clerks. there are judges and lawyers and doc
tors and hospital, and there are at least
two very beautiful English cemeteries.
These English are merchants, wholesale and
retail they are insurance agents, engineers
in the steamers, skilled workmen-in short,
anything that promises better livelihood
than they can get in their own cramped
British Isle
The Americans in Coastantinoplc and in
all Turkey are very few in numbers and not
one, so far as know, has ever gone TO Tur-
key in order to better his worldly prospects
unless it be those connected with the Lega-
ton or Consulate. But America is we'll
known in Turkey, not only by her repeating
rifles, her sewing machines and kerosene
oil, but chiefly by the men that are spending
their lives there solely to benefit the people.
These men, known as American mission
aries are located as most of your readers
know, at various points throughout the Turk
ish Empire. At some future time hope to
be able to speak OF the writer's personal
share in their work, but at present | am to
speak of Americans in Constantinople.
If a traveller should ask a native where
the Americans could be found he would
receive tho reply ''at the American
Khan" And what is the American
Khan 1t is what We call the
"Bible House" This may be reached by n
five minutes walk from the bridge which
crosses the Golden Horn on the Stamboul or
southern side 1t is fine light thrown stone
building, four stories high. DIR. l. q. Bliss
raised the money, some $50, 900, with which
1t was built, and it is now held by board of
trustees in this country. In the first story
is a bookstore containing all tho books issue
by the mission. Several shops on this floor
offices Of the treasurer of the board for
Turkey, who handles some Sl5J, 900 Il year,
of DIR. Bliss, who is agent for the American
Bible Sncieiy and Of missionaries engaged
in the puhn .iion department. There l. also
a large priuiI,... establishment on iai- floor
which is IL pr.atc hands. the MISSION print
ing being all doEr by contract. On the third
floor are the offices of the agents OF the
British and Foreign Bible Society, OF the
editor of the Bulgarian newspaper and the
storeroom for books where orders are filled.
On the fourth floor are the editorial rooms OF
the American and Turkish newspapers, also
several committee rooms and II hall for pub
lie meetings. Altogether it is II very con
venient headquarters for the cvangclistic
work going on in Turkey. From this place
90 forth mighty influences that are felt in
The farthest corners Of the land. The force
of missionaries is far too small for the work
thrown on them, but they struggle bravely
on. Dr. Byington. with his Bulgarian pa
per is doing much. not only TO give religious
lone to tho new principality. but to mould
It's political character. MIR. Greene breaches
to hundred thousand with his papers, and
is quietly preparing the people for that bet
tor day which is sure 10 come. ere long, Tor
all Turkey. Dr. +. l.. Bliss, Dir. Pettibonc,
MI IT..
working on, Issuing books that are filling the
houses and schools of the land.
A Sunday school question book is issued
yearly, following the international series
OF lessons in the Turkish and American Ian
C,,accs and has grown TO be a necessity in
l.aching the Bible In the Sunday school.
Thirteen millions Of pages were printed last
wear besides III, 900 copies of tho Bible and
parts. These figures give faint impression
of the mighty power that is moving in the
Bible House ut Constantinople to evan.cllze
Turkey.
IL Won would see Robert College you
would take small steamer one oil many that
DIV mot "fly" ~ your printer made me say
IN and down tho Bosphorus. From the
deck of this steamer one gets fine view OF
the principal palaces of the Sultan and the
many villages along the shores A hall
hours ride brings you to Bobek which Is SIT
uated on lovely bay. Just beyond ON II
high bluff stands Robert COLLEGE. You
Chamber up tho steep path and are cor
daily welcomed TO the college grounds
and building. 1t is built in the form OF II
hollow square, galleries on Inc inslIG' max
ing all the rooms easily accessible. Here are
APARTMENTS for the president and tutors, and
for some hundred or more students, bcsldes
recitation and apparatus rooms and public
hall The site is healthy and very pic
turcsuue, and the college ID now IN II most
prosperous condition. The students are
from nearly all the eastern nalionaliilcs, The
largest number being Bulgarians. English
IS the common language OF the school anu IL
is surprising to observe how quickly the
Young men become fluent in using 1t, The
commencement speeches and debates con
Quoted in English, which ! once hal the
pleasure Of hearing, would do credit 10 the
the students Of any college. am glad that
Presi,ient Wsshburn, now IN this country,
has secured $50, 900 additional endowment
from the stony state of Maiden, and hope
.crc will vet bc still larger additions The
college is destined 10 be growing power in
Turkey.
From Robert College, in order to visit the
the 'IIome" school for girls, you must re
turn down the Bosphoris and land ut Sculari
after which you must Chamber u mile up
hill or hire u horse OF carrlnse. IL IS beh'iil-
ful building standing in the midst of grounds
That are adorned with trees AMI lowers
The air of the house is that oil home indeed
and all are cordially received who VISIT
there. The school is full to Overlooking
and il has become necessary TO plan Tor
larger premises. Not only every Christian
sect is here rcprasented but Jewish aud Mo
hamme,lan girls arc scholars, n very rare. al
most unprecedented thing III turkey here
the highest and best culture may I've obtained
and the Home" is destined to bo the mother
of many truly Christian homes IN Turkey
NJ p. Z.