The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-29

the ar is very oppressive and unhealthy:
Tor, besides the unfortunate inhabitants,
many hundreds Of animals-mules, cows.
and sheep-have also been buried.
But for the timely aid which was re-
celved from Smyrna and elsewhere, more
persons would have necessarily died from
hunger than from the falling houses.
Men-of war of all nations Immediately
fastened to the island, and through them
chiefly the work, commenced bv the
Smyrna Committee, was carried on until
new arrangements could be made. The
French, English, and Americans nobly
co-operated with this committee called
" The International. They divided the
work, the English and French building
barracks, setting up tents, and distribu.
ting food and the Americans collecting
the wounded from the various villages.
and placing them in the hospitals at
castro, the principal town of the island.
The Greeks were also active but worked
by themselves through their own com
mlttee. They worked we'll; but, of
course, they could not do anything like
the amount of work done by the other
committee. Nor can too much be said
in praise of the Sisters of Charity, who
came over from Smyrna with the COM
mlttee. 1t would certainly be a good
thing IT we Presbyterians would follow a
little more closely the scriptural idea of
deaconesses, and have such CORPS of
trained nurses ready to obey marching
orders to the relief Of such cases.
The greater part of the severely wound
ed have been sent to Smyrna, where they i.
can be cared for more easily by the resi-
dent physicians; and thus the tents and
barracks used by them in Scio can be oc
cupied by the houseless residents The
immediate necessities of all the inhabi-
tants in the way of food have been met.
but there is still great deal to do to get
them even tolerably housed. There is
no timber on the island. 1t has all to be
imported and conveyed by mules to the
villages. The narrowing incidents of
widows, orphans and disconsolate fathers
can only be imagined AS 1 entered the
hospital four brawny English sailors were
tt!enGderly placing a pale, almost lifeless,
little face of four years old, in litter to
be conveyed to the ship. One of them
said to his fellow, "Jim, tell them this
little chap has not living soul to look
after him, and tell them his left leg is off.
and they will lift him more carefully
Unfortunately, heard only complaints
against the Turk In the presence of so
much noble effort am not going to re-
oroach anyone but the authorities in
Sclo have certainly not given the assist
ance which they could and should have
gwen. The same is true about the CEN
trail authority at Constantinople, no doubt
On Thursday company of men arrived
from the Dardanelles, who came, it was
said, to help to excavate But on Satur-
day they had all to be sent back, as thew
showed that they had come to steal and
not to work
Many of the inhabitants have left for
the neighboring islands and cities. but of
course thousands will be obliged to re-
main, and until the mills, which are near
ly all down, can be rebuilt, they must be
supported from outside. A permanent
committee has been organised for the
island. But there are many at Athens
and the Pir@us who must also be aided:
and it is for them in particular that 1
have sought your generous help 1t will
be long time before the widows and or
phans can be distributed and provided
for. Amid the horrors of this place it
has been most refreshing to see the supe-
riority of Western civilization over East
ern barbarism, and Christianity with its
selt-denying activity, over Mahommedan
stolidness and lazness. That is one
thought, but the lesson most present with
us has been the Masters words: "What
| say unto you, [ say unto all, Watch.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the
day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man
cometh. T. R. SAMPSON.