Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-10-20
OH Stree press.
LETTER FROM TURKEY.
An Eminent Nisslonary-The Condi.
ton of the Country.

ton of the Country.
Foreign Correspondence of the Free Press.l
TIEBIzoND, Turkey Sept 10, 1889.
Because of the troubles in Egypt, man
persons imagine the whole of Turkey is in
terment. heard, the other day, of a part
oil missionaries, who, on their way iron
America to Persia, had decided TO avo
Constantnople because of the danger o
passing through it. This is strange mis-
conception of the real state of things Con
stantnople was never more quiet or sccur
than it Is to-day. All the operations of
time of peace move on the same as ever.
Among the missionaries the venerable DR.
Elias Riggs and wife are preparing tocclcbrat
on the 18th of this month, at their home il
tcnsianlinoplc, the Both anniversary of thei
marriage, and commencement of missonar,
life For this purpose all the children, will
their families, have gathered from dilrcren
points TO engage, unmolested by war, in The
appropriate festivities of the occasion. Amona
them is daughter with her husband DR.
Trowbridge of Aintah, president of the Cen.
trail Turkey college. and their five children.
son, Rev. Jarvis Riggs of New jersey,
made the long journey with his wife and
child In order to be present, and Rev. Ed
ward Riggs, missionary at Marsovan. is pres
ent with his wife and beautiful group OF six
children. The remaining son, Charles,
though blind, Is a valuable instructor in the
college at Aintab. The whole group of
twenty one, surrounding the worthy couple,
made a charming picture, as photographed
by the celebrated Constanlinople artist, Alb
dullah Fires
Dr, Riggs is "a remarkable lingnis, aud as
such has been most valuable missionary.
This talent appeared very early in life.
Though completing his full courses of COL
lege and theological studies at the early age
Of twenty one, he had found time while in
the seminary to prepare grammar of the
scandinavian language.
His first missionary language was Greek.
tie afterwards took up Armenian and Turk
ish, becoming so familiar with them as to
prepare grammars for the use Of new mis-
sionarics learning these languages. The
translation of the bible into modern Ar
menii Was chiefly the work Of his | and lie
was also on the committee that prepared the
Turkish translation, which sug !csted
the picture OF the three translators
Drs. Goodell Schauiller, and Riggs
which las since become so widely circulated.
lie also became familiar with the Bulgarian
language and assisted in the translation of
the Bible into that tongue, and he is now
engaged IN literary work in connection with
the Bulgarian Mission. | would moi under
take to say how many languages he knows
more or less fully, hut probably twelve or
fifteen, having thorough aud critical knowl.
edge of no less than six or eight of them. The
world can hardly produce his equal in Cit
ical knowledge of the text of Scripture. and
his Translation Of the Bible into Armenian.
though following in the main the English
version, IS in many respects great improve
ment on 1t.
Dr. Riggs is man Of retiring habits.
otherwise his great attachments, would have
attracted more notice in the world. Dur
ing the half century of his missionary lite
he has visited America hut once, and
then Tor me purpose of putting the
Armenian bible through the press. While !
engaged in This work in New York he accept |
cd for year the position Of instructor in |
Hebrew in the Union Theological Seminary |
Since the revision OF the English bible was
begun, he has ventured to issue small vol |
ume of notes on the English revision which |
have occurred TO him during his long study
OF the text Of Scripture, ard lie has now in |
press volume on the New Revision,
which will be Il valuable contribution To the |
literature OF this object.
Df Higgi has for many years been in |
feeble health, aud he now seems much more
than seveniy-two his real age. He and Lis |
good, faithful wife are to be most heartily
congratulated that they have brcu permitted
to see their golden wedding day. that their
long and happy life together has been thus
suspiclously rounded out md that Heaven |
grants tho privilege Of looking on the large
circle OF their descendants gathered around
them, in this distant land May they vet
see many more days, equally useful and .
happy.
Though the country is quiet. events In
Egypt cause much discussion, and general
expression OF wonder as to what the future
may bring forth. The anti. English feeling
Is very strong among the Turks This had
its beginning in the failure of the English to
save them from the Russians in the late war.
The policy of the English in Egypt strength
ems This feeling because there is wide
spread feeling OF dissatisfaction with the
present government, and Moslems have a
vague hope that revnlutionist like Arab
might help them in some way. THIS hope
will die away if the English make quick
work with Arab. Should the issue he an
English occupation of Egypt the Turks
would not feel more friendly toward them.
they would then ask, (Which province will
go next p
~ NuSsiais arc tNlututlN watching tnelf |
opportunity u get another slice of Turkey
on this side. The koordish Shekh Obei-
dullah, who fought the Pcrsians a year or
TWO ago, and who has been prisoner of
honor since that time in charge of the Sui
tan, has lately escaped and is again among
his people on the Persian border near Van.
The Russians are thought to have assisted in
his escape in the hope thai disturbances he
might toment would serve as a pretcXt for
their Interference, the issue beieg a new
ceding OF territory to Russia. The Russians
are seid to re very active in massng troops
on the Turkish border The Turks are start.
ing up also in bewildercd way, 10 see
what they can do to avert the storm. Two
Turks, with whom | conversed the other
evening, expressed their supreme disgust for
this government, and their great anxiety TO
be rid of its exactions Formerly only one
male in eleven was taken for the amy now
)ne in six is demanded How to escape the
CONSUMPTION was the great question with
these men. They detailed the bitter suffer
ngs of the soldiers, imp, rfccty fed and
clothed, aud commanded by incompetent and
heartess Officers One of these men gave
30 liras (S220) to be relieved of military duty
during the war. To pay this sum for each
)f his sons would impoverish him. and in
his desperation he was ready to welcome any
hing for change. Nothing but the strength
81 religious superstition and the difficulty of
united action prevents revolution. A change
must come some time-just when aud how
to he seen. MPP
THE LATE GEORGE =. MARSH.