The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-11
SHALL RUSSIA HAVE CONSTANTlNOpLEp
Tho "Eastern Question" In tho PoIIt-
ical Affairs OF Europe.
Rev. Or. Cyrus Hamlln Talks to the
Congregational Club.
The First Meeting After the Summer
Recess Largely Attended.

This vigorous organization gathered In ex-
ceptionally large numbers at the Preble
House last evening, for the first meeting OF
the autumn season. The popularity aud
strength of the club, never so great as at
present, are due largely to the enterprise and
wisdom Of the president, Rev. f.. +. Wilson,
and his excellent coadiutors in the official
board. They spare no pains to make the
club evenings genial and enjoyable, while
they intend that every meeting shall spread
genuine intellectual repast.
The promptness with which the members
gather for the social hours shows the zest
with which this feature Of the club life Is en-
joyed. Hearty greetings. lively reminiscent
ces Of the vacation season, and free and ami
mated canvass of recent events In church and
state rendered the opening hour In the par
lOrs last evening one Of special attractive
ness.
The dinner was served In the great dining
hall at 30 promptto the minute. and the
opening evening had due attention on the
part of the manager msnt Of the Pre6le, In a
banquet superior in quality and admirably
served.
At the table the Divine blessing was In
vOked by Rev Dwight NJ. Pratt, the new
pastor Of Wilston church. Following the
dinner very interesting feature was a song
Ia the Welcn language by Rev. T. NJ. Dayels
of BiddefOrd, who gave in admirable voice,
selection winch In taste and musical quality
was greatly appreciated. Mr., Davels sang
again most acceptably In the course Of the
evening.
President Wilson introduced the business
session by few remarks in his genial, char
acteristic vein which quite well prepared the
way for prompt and pleasant despatch OF the
matters In hand. which. with the reception
OF new members, and liberal number OF
members proposed, ineludeda change in the
annual payment, the change due to the great
prosperity Of the club.
A committee ON nomination Of new men,
bers was appointed as follows: DIR. B. f.
Dunn. John Russell. II. II: Nevens. Osman
Adams and b. NJ. Edwards.
The special guest of the club and the
speaker of the evening. the Rev. Cyrus Ham
lin, d. d. of Lexington, Mass, for long
time missionary in Turkey, was introduced
by President Wilson as "fve able men
rolled into one." DIR. Hamlin Immediately
added "and only one broken down mlsslona-
ry after all"
DIR. Hamln said the Eastern Question Is
simply "Shall Russia have Constantinople?'
Russia says. will. The rest Of Europe says:
You shall not. BY large map the position
of Constantinople as the key to the East was
made very clear. Russia without COntanti-
nople is bottled up. Give her Constantine
pie and the bottle Is opened and the giant set
free.
Some say Russia Is a Christian nation, and
why not let that country take control Of
Turkey? 1t does not appear that a gain
would be made for either Turkey or the
world by giving the dominant power to the
great empire Of the Gar.
Turkey has made some sincere and wise
steps toward reform, but by Napoleon and
others. especially Russia, the attempts have
been, for policy, defeated.
As to Turkey, itself. In Its poor, depressed
condition. there would probably be. could
secret ballot be taken, a majority In favor of
passing out Of Turkish despotism into the
power OF Russia. Yet one year, as thought
full Turks say, would cause them all to vote
the Russians out again, especially on ac-
count of the Russian cOnscriptlon OF all
young men into the army, and cOmpulsiOn OF
all into the Greek church.
At present Russia Is still preparing her
encroachments, she does not cease for a mo-
ment. Russia is continually stirring up
trouble In Turkey, but always doing this so
difficulty. Russia secretly incites perseeu-
tiOns against Protestant Christians, and
even now 1t Is trying to defeat education.
Russia stirs up reyolts to weaken and de-
plete Turkey.
Turkey IS broken, sick unto death, but
cannot die. Russia will not let II die except
for her own advantage, and Europe Will not
let IL die exception her advantage; and so
Turkey stands, braced up by these two
great agencies.
dreat reforms have been started by patri-
Otic and able Turks, but the powers would
not allow them to go on. Nothing useful
can be done there, not even railway built,
for these outside opposing powers set them
Missionary work goes on, mainly because
these powers are inclined TO despise such
things. So the weak things there are bee0m-
ing stronger than the mighty. IL Turkey
could be let alone there would be hope. But
between two such friends as Russia and Eu-
rope, Turkey Is subjected to.theitender mer-
cies Of the upper and the neither millstones.
Russia will not soften In her despotism,
and nothing but some grand revolutionary
convulsion Of the people will break up Rus
sia and Russian despotism.
There Is a Divine plan for Russia, no
doubt, for the Lord God OmnipOtent reign
eth, but what that plan Is no man Is wise
enough to read. One thing Is certain, there
is more hope for Turkey in Divine Provi-
dence than in either Russia OF Europe.
The entire address was impressive by Its
ability aud lthoughtfulness. DIR. Hamlln's
residence for many years at COnstantin0ple
| has given him the best possible preparation
| to speak on this question. The address was
| commended on all hands and the vote OF
| thanks moved by DIR. Fem for the able and
| profitable address was passed with great cor
| dlality.
session Of Forefathers' Day, when the cluo
/ hope, TO welcome DIR. A. K. Dunni1g Of Bos-
| ton as the orator Of the occasion.