National Republican., 1883-07-09
A SYRIAN CHRISTIAN.
PROF. NAYEEB ABELY's INTERESTING TALK

PROF. NAYEEB ABELY's INTERESTING TALK
AT THE ouNDRY cHURcH. r
At the Foundry church last night Prof.
Nayeeb Abely. in the costume ofa Mohamm O.
don sheik or priest, occupied the pnlpit. A
white turban on his head, and long tunic
like robe enwrapped his person. His two
brothers were with him. One was dressed
Ikea Bedouin of the desert, in coat spotted
with strong bright colors, like that of Joseph,
and singular head dress, the ends of which
came down upon his shoulder. The other
was habited as Druse of Mount Lebanon, a
long dark blue sack, with arms somewhat like
the talma overcoa of past generation, con-
stituted his outer garments. His arms were
bare to above tho elbow, and a reddish look
ing cap, very like an Algerian fez in shape
and appearance, covered his head. Prof.
Abely commenced by felicitating himself
upon the very largo audience that had as
sembled to hear him. He then described the
struggles which the missionaries had
made for lodgment in Syria. He
sketched the condition of the people, and
classified them according to their religion.
There were no heather or pagans in that
land. Out of a population of over 100000
there were more than 100000 of Mohsm-
medans among whom no missionary work
could be done, the customs, religions, and gov
ernment of the people alike forbidding. The
remainder of the people embraced Chris
tianity, in the form of Romanism, the Greek
church, and the various sects into which the
Oriental church has long been divided
Among these were the Druses, who chiefly
inhabit the country around Lebanon There
are also about 10000 Jews. To reform these
native churches was the object of the mis-
sonares. The first evangelical missionary was
Eli Smith, the second was Robinson j. Smile,
the third, Eli Frazier. The difficulties they
contended with were enormous. They had
to learn the Arabic language, dialects of
which are spoken in Syria, 1t is difficult
language to learn for oneof Aryan race, and
without IL nothing could be done. When
they first appeared on tho street they were
followed about by n curious crowd Of men,
women and children, who stared at them
in curious wonder just as the crowds in Phil
adelphia and Chicago followed and stared at
Freddie Gebhardt and Mrs. Langtry. These
missionaries were not allowed to rent or buy
house. They had to take 10 a tent outside
tho walls of Beirou'. In those days there
were six Bibles in Beirout, a city of 100000
people. In Damascus, with 100000 people,
the oldest city in the world, whore Paul was
instructed in Christianity, there was but ono
Bible. To-day In both cities there Is Bible
in almost every household. In Beirout there
are thirty common schools, twelve universi-
NlNet htalNtl tlbNoh htNnpdpoinl
nine Of which have native Protestant editors,
and in Syria there are 5000 native church
members, within thousand Of the number
that God Informed Elijah were not worship
era Of Baal in ancient Israel. Tho field was
most inviting for missionary work.
In the course Of his lecture Prof. Abely re-
cited the prayers Of the MohAmmedans, trans
lating them In English, and went through the
ceremony as observed by the sheiks.
The prayers are chanted, the priest sways his
body 90 aud fro, and at one time kneels, pros
trating his forehead TO the dust, as he says in
his cultural Arabic; There is no God but
| God, and Mohammed Is his prophet" The
prayers vary in tune, and have a melody
about them that Is sweet and pleasant, albeit
irregular and foreign. The Mohammedan
benediction is very like an Irish tune, aud
had the lecturer brandished a club while
chanting IL one could have been easily per-
suaded that it was the opening song at the
Inauguration Of the mayor of Wind Gap.
Prof. Abely also furnished the audience with
a specimen Of the native Christian hymns.
These were chanted out of time and tune, and
seemed far less pleasant, less vigorous, less
ca nest than the Mohammedan liturgy.
The lecture was interesting in itself, but
doubly interesting from its suggestions. The
people 20 whom Christianity was first mani
tGst were sending out pleaders 10 the isles
beyond Chittim and Ophir TO come and re-
store TO them the blessed truths which had
been so freely given and so idly cast away.
| The lecturer described the great Druse mas
sacre five years ago and the narrow escape
his father made with his life in the street
! called Straight in Damascus.