The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-12
ESPON NOE.
The Volos Church.
(In Greeoe.)
BY REV. S. R. HOUSTON, D. D.

BY REV. 5. k. HOUSTON, ID. u.
There remains debt of taOo hundred
dollars burdening this mission church,
notwithstanding the cordial and liberal
sentiment manifested toward it by many
friends of Greece. The agent, in the ef-
fort for its liquidation, would appeal once
more to those who look upon the world,
as the field" assigned them for Christian
benefcence, to consider the special claims
of this particular portion of that field.
Aside from the great spiritual destitu-
tion of the region in which this church
edifce has been erected, there are some
interesting facts calculated to excite at
truly benevolent.
This church is in Thessaly, once distin-
guished among the provinces of classic
Greece for the fertility of its soil and the
general prosperity of its people. The
lapse of ages has not deprived it of this
latter distinction, though it is still the
most fertile section of that whole region
of country. Its deliverance from Turkish
despotism, from Mohammedan rule, and
introduction into the domain of Christian
Greece, with religious liberty, secured to
itby some of the most powerful govern
ments of the world, have given it a spe-
cial distinction at the present time.
The city is situated on bay which, in
beauty and grandeur, compares well with
the Bay Of Naples. 1t is the seaport of
Thessaly, and is growing rapidly extend
ing semi-circularly around the spacious
port, overlooked by Olympus, Pelion and
Ossa. Some twenty-four villages dot the
hills on its immediate surroundings.
The situation of the church is beauti-
full one, on the third of the three streets
which run pararallel with the sea, just
back of the centre of the town
A good, substantial, stone building has
been erected on very desirable lot, seat
ing some two hundred and fifty or three
hundred auditors, very comfortably, with
three large windows on either side. There
is also basement, divided into separate
rooms, suitable for Sabbath school and
other purposes.
The church was commenced in the year
1878, after the brethren had been favor
ably received in Bible and Colporteur
work, as well as that of preaching the
Gospel and after a special visit made to
the place (for the purpose of determining
the question of permanent location) had
been most cordially received by the ma
tives. Considerable aid for building had
been obtained by DR.. Kalopothakes, in
England; but, owing to untoward cir.
cumstances, the cost of the work greatly
exceeded the expected amount It was
put into the hands of trustees, as the
property Of the Greek Evangelical
Church, and to be so held by them, as
not to be transferable to any other mis-.
sion than that of the Southern Presby.
terian Church of America.
The work began before that persecution
was excited In Volos, in which Miss l. M.
Leyburn was the chief sufferer, and sue.
tanned herself SO .resolutely and so sue.
cessfully. 1t was sscertained, however
that the persecution was instigated more
by the prospect that this new sect, in
building such house, would thereby
establish "a faction" than from any
other cause. 1t proved decided gain,
In the end, both to the mission and the
cause of evangelical Christianity in Greece.
1t eventuated, through the judicious and
Persevering efforts of Rev Messrs. Ka-
iioopothakes and Sampson, in the introduc-
tlon OF that supplementary clause to the
decisions Of the Berlin Conference. pro-
Im9lsing entire religious freedom to any
GGreek territory that might be ceded to
G' GIeece' and the third article Of the
.I',l u[eecoI l urkish treaty, quoted by the
subscriber In former appeal.
AT present the Volos church is really
entitled to more rights and priviIeoe.
than the Greek Evangelical church st
Athens, and in view Of the favorable nosi
tion of the city, its magnificent haTbor
increasing prosperity, and It's relation to