The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-09-14
A New Phase of Affairs in
Turkey.

The work of the American Board in
Turkey is quite well understood by the
Christian public of America and of Great
Britain. For forty years the Board has
steadily enlarged its work, multiplied
and improved its schools of all grades,
led the churches out to more and more of
self-reliance, disarmed opposition, and
stimulated both Armenians and Moslems
to educational efforts in their own behalf.
So well satisfied has the English public
been with this work that it has called
forth heartiest praise, not only from Of
ticlals of the government, but practical
aid from British Christians, through
1.-The Turkish Aid Society,"" at the
head Of which is the Earl of Shaftes-
bury. By common consent, therefore,
this field has been left to the Ameri-
can Board, the more willingly as the
United States has no political compli-
cations with the Turkish Empire.
Not now for the first time do the
Ritualists of England appear on the
scene of American missions to create
disturbance and encourage the spirit of
faction. They moved upon the Sand
wich Islands, after the work was an as
sured success, much as they now appear
in Central Turkey, in the person of a
Learned canon" of the English Church.
He was courteously received by our mis-
sionaries at Aintab and Marash, and by
invitation addressed large congregations,
assuring the brethren of the latter place
that " in no case did he propose to inter
fere with the work of the American mis-
sionaries;" then visited one of the nearest
out-stations and, in the absence of the
preacher, enrolled twenty names and
sent the list to the Archbishop "a dis
affected convert, made "Archbishop" in
England" and the next Sabbath these
unsophisticated brethren, with the aid of
the prayer-book, began an English SER
vice, In the place of the regular preach
ing" A few days later this "distin-
guished canon" acknowledged to one of
the missionaries the good work accom-
plished by them Gin distributing the
Bible and in lifting the people out of
their degradation" and declared that
"now is just the time for the Church
to step in and reap the fruits of their
labors." 1t seems, also, that several
English agents have visited Central
IuIhey, giving dlu ana comfort 20 little
knots of disafected Professionals and
making plans for churches and schools,
to be paid for out of British funds. The
Rev. Henry Marden, tried and Judi
cious missionary of the American Board,
the man who distinguished himself in
the deliverance of Zeitoon, and who has
OF late been doing missionary work in the
hardest part of that mountain city, lays
bare the animus of this movement in a
two-page article in the Herald for Sep
tember the first intimation received of
it. He well says: $50 far as this Eng
lish movement has any power, it tends
only to loosen the foundations laid with
great labor and care, while it's success
would hardly differ from grand lurch
back half way toward the old Armenian
Church. He very pertinently refers
to the dark, unoccupied spots in the EN-
pire whittier the distinguished canon"
might turn and find field for his zeal,
and concludes in words not one whit too
strong: Batting all questions of faith
and polity, this English movement is
bold violation of the principles of mission
airy comfy, and challenges rebuke and
protest. "-ChriStioaa Union.