The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-28

"A somewhat remarkable man has
recently been removed by death from the SER
vice of the Western Turkey Mission of the
American Board Born in the tent of Kurs-
dish nomad, of the lineage of Abu Bekr, the
companion of Mohammed he was as a prince
among his people. He was early educated in
the science of robbery, in athletics, and in the
use OF arms. Breaking away from this kind of
a lite, he pursued, in the face of the greatest
difficulties and through the greatest privations
full course of study in Moslem theology Just
as he was beginning to feel that he had mastered
the principles of the Moslem system he met with
an experience that showed him that his life had
been sacrificed In studies of dead, unfrutful
wisdom. A fire ,0orshipper who had never seen
a missionary, showed him Christian Bible and
convinced this Moslem by argument and COM
parison of texts. that, if he would have truth.
he must look for it in that book In time the
result of that conversation in the interior of
Persia brought this man to the feet of those who
were glad to instruct him, and at the same time
to utilize his talents for Christian objects Thor
oughly versed in the Oriental languages and
the Moslem philosophy, endowed with fine
literary taste, and truly In sympathy with the
OBJECTS OF the missionary enterprise, this man
has been during eight years most valuable as.
sistant In all literary work for the Turkish
speaking races: He was never baptized yet
his simple faith in the Saviour testified to ON
his death bed, gives cause for hope that he has
truly found rest at last Among both Moslems
and Christians this man has left a cherished
memory as OF simple hearted, wise, pure man
ABOUT SOME CANNIBALs.-Here. to
close with, is an item, clipped from last nights
San Francisco papers, of interest to all lovers of
missions. The great steamship City of Toxic
came In from Yokohama yesterday In the
report of her arrival occurs the following:
There are also aboard six South Sea Islanders
from Abimana of the Gilbert Islands. They
were picked up at sea by the ship Northern
L'ght and taken to Yokohama The ship found
them adrift and in dying condition on Nov
ember 10th in latitude z deg. 81 min south, and
longitude 16S deg. l min. east The boat con-
tanned ten persons. FIVE of whom had died from
starvation. There was one woman among the
survivors. They were so emaciated and looked
so wretched especially the woman, that at first
their recovery was believed to be impossible.
However, they received all possible care and
all recovered. Their story was that in attempt
ing to cross from one island to another storm
overlook them and drove them to sea and ont
OF sight of land. They had nothing to eat but
little dry pulverized banana, and to drink a
few gallons of water in vessels The woman
gave birth to a child while on board the North.
ern Light, but the babe did not survive. One
of the men speaks little English They are
to be sent back from here to Australia, thence
to the Fiji Islands and from there to the Gil
bert Islands. To all outward appearances they
are untutored savages, yet constant intercourse
with them shows that they have been under
missionary influence. Captain Slocum, OF the
Northern Light said regarding them: &" A more
devout band of Christians l never met. When
hrst hauled out of their cherries cookie. shell
more dead than alive, they fell upon their
knees on the deck and gave thanks to the
Almighty with becoming reverence"
Perhaps it pays to send red night-caps and
flannel shirts" to the cannibal Islands, after
all2-CdtyorniG Correspondent Of The Advance