The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-09
THREE TOPICS OF INTEREST
A Young Syrian's Entertaining Talk
About His People and Their Religion.
The Present Condition of the Southern Ne
gro Described by DR.. Gray-Providentis
Interfersnces in the Affairs of Men.

address on his native land at Blackford-strees
III. Z Church, last night He is student or
Garrett Institute, Evanston, H., and although
apparently young man, has seen much OF the
world. and in many ways has had rather re-
mafkable career He was born in Antioch, and
states that so far rs he knows his ancestors may
have been next door neighbors or intimate
friends Of the Apostle Paul, or that st. Luke
may have been lis family physician. His own
father is at present q shoemaker in the city Of
Antioch. When he was small boy, however,
his father was in better circumstances, being
q well-to-do merchant, and his older
brothers Of whom he has seven. were
given the advantage of fine education while
he himself was yet baby; but misfortune over
took bis father, who failed in business. and fell
back upon the shoe-maker's trade and when he
himself arrived at school age he was left with
no opportunity for an education and had TO 90
In with his father aud learn his trade. His
father consoled him with the promise that when
he had thoroughly mastered his work he would
either send him away where he could get on
education would give him permission to
leave home. Young Taminosisn settled
down TO his work and became q good
shoemaker, and one day when he was fifteen
he overheard bis father say that he could make
q better pair OF shoes than he could He thought
this good opportunity to remind his father OK
his promise. and be did so The latter was
taken by surprise. thinking that the boy had
given up the ambition for an education. He
Kept his word, however, and being unable TO
send the boy away 10 school told him ne
would give him permission to do what he pleased
a N " ad ha hcxy IN a
and earn some money for himself before start
ing out in the world; and this he did. he was
successful, and soon had quite sum for poor
boy IN that region OF the world.
He went first TO Jerusalem, for he had heard
srom boyhood OF the many colleges at that
place. After arriving there he called the
presidents Of the various colleges, but received
little encouragement and found it impossible TO
enter the schools because OF the fact that he was
not an orphan Not discouraged, he determined
20 go next TO Constant.nople and endeavor to
obtain entrance to some OF the schools there.
He went. but met with no better success. He
remained there for some tine, aud his money
was almost exhausted. He determined to make
one more effort. and went from Constan-
tinople TO Smyrna When he arrived
there his money was gone, and the first
thing that be did was TO seek employment at
some CT the shoe-shops. but the times were dull
and he found 1t impossible 70 get work. He was
at last reduced to the strait of securing shoe
makers outfit which he could carry upon bis
shoulder and OF going from door TO door aud
mendinR snoes wherever he could find patrons.
He followed this life for some time. and al
most discouraged az doing better, when one day
ke overheard man nquiripg for q person who
could speak the Arabic language. The man
wanted such person TO accompany him OF an
expedition into Africa Young Taminosian told
him that he could speak Arabic as well as his
native tongue aud was engaged. 1t was long
journey. and at the end of it Taminosian found
himself on the island OF Malta. Fortunately he
mr. nd tba LAM 0ft ha Ia ha-
cause of its similarity to Arabic and he finally
succeeded in finding an opportunity to work his
way on . steamer 10 Liverpool. Arrived at this
latter place be Was uncertain what he ought to
co, but had a great desire TO come to America.
AT last he found a steamboat captain in want Of
q cook, and applied for the place, although his
experience IN that line had been confined to
cooking two or three days for missionary. He
got the job, however, and after what be pro-
nounces TO have been a most enjoyable voyage,
he set foot upon free America. He says that as
he came from Castle Garden, and looked upon
the crowded street-cars the elevated roads and
the hurrying crowds Of New York city, he said
TO himself, This is the land whore am to
mark OUT my destiny He also expresses the
belief that the hand OF God guided his footsteps
20 this country. He arrived in New York with
ST. aud here he found at last abundant oppor-
tupities for education. He pays quite an elo-
quent tribute to this country, where liberty is
afforded all and man is treated like Q man."
and he says thai IL Is the best country under the
sun.
During his address last evening he wore the
costume customariy seen the streets of his
native city, and from a satchel which he had
with him took out and displayed other gar
ments-among them those worn by ladies. He
said that Syria afforded the materials for most
beautiful garments. but that the art of dress
making was not far advanced. The main OBJ
ject Of the lady's dress in that country. howev-
er. was to conceal her identity, for no Syrian
woman was ever allowed TO show her face to
stranger. When she went out upon the street
she wore heavy veil. Regarding the land of
Syria, he said that the impression that il
was waste was mistake. for
there was no more fertile land on the
face Of the globe. It's great cities were, Of
course, indicative of its character, as the great
cities or any country were. One of the best
evidences Of n good government in Antioch was
that there q saloon in the city. The
Mohanmedans never touched intoxicauts, and
whenever thew saw drunken man they snee.-
inely referred to him as q Christian an infide.
The speaker thought it was quits a commentary
on the Christian religion that a half heather
peopls should be compelled to rsbuke them for
the intemperance Of their people. Those who
had an evening TO spend in his country spent it
at the coffee-houses talking over old traditions,
for they had no news over
in this country. His description of tie per-
sonal habits Of the Syriars was quite interest
ing. and some Of them created much amuse-
ment For example. he said that man who
would be considered crazy, but instead they
shaved their heads. Then when they went call
ing they did not take off their hats or turbans
on entering the house, but instead
took of their shoes. The Mohammedans
Arose for prayers every morning at o'clock,
going thence 10 their stores and shops. it being
considered iil-luck TO return home Immediately
after prayer. The ceremony Of marriage and
the events leading thereto were much similar to
those In other oriental countries. where the bride
never sees her husband until after she mas been
welded to him three days. The parents had
previously done the counting. II. after the
young married couple are introduced aud
become acquainted, the husband is disappointed
concerning his wife, finding out that she is nos
rs good q cook as represented, he has q right 20
tell her TO co back to her parents. Mr.. Tamino-
sian think the Mohammedans concern about his
wifes abilities 70 do house work might well be
emulated by the prospective husbands in this
country, and that no woman ought to marry
WHO cannot do house-work in an emergency.
since coming to this country Mr.. Taminosian
supported himself in the main by these lectures
and 81 the conclusion Of his address last night a
nandsome eolieetion WAS taken I'D for his bene-
nt AFTER completing his education he will DO
ministerial work.
The Negro Ia the south
Rev. DR.. Gray, Of Chicago assistant secretary
OF the Frsedman's Aid Society. delivered a ser
mon yesterday morning at Roberts Park Church