The herald., 1895-06-03
Union Services


The y. W. G. A. and the Y. NJ. G. A.
held union service in the auditorium oil
The latter association yesterday afternoon
a 3 O'Clock. The occasion was an ad.
d ess by youn man named Shehadi A.
olehadl, native of Syria who is travel
ing in America delivering lectures before
scientific. literary and religious societies
and who IS also correspondent for two
newspapers published in Egypt, by name
AL Ahram and Moyad. The young Syr-
ian is a comely young man with dark
com plexion, dark eyes. hair and nous
tache and speaking with u foreign accent
very good English. His address was re-
plete with bright remarks. indicating an
undertone of humor that was delightful
TO listen to and held the closest attention
OF his hearers through the whole OF it.
He has been away from his native land
about two years. all of which time has
been spent in America except four months
In Egypt. His most recent work has been
in the way of lectures in and about San
Francisco a I'D in Southern California in
towns outside of Los Angeles.
The service was opened with a selection
by the y NJ. &. A. orchestra. followed by
a song service led by Prof. Fuller. Rev.
John Thompson offered prayer. Prof. d.
Ii. Morrison sang beautiful solo.
Mr.. Shehadi spoke of SYRIA its customs,
teligions and the missionary work. At a
day he had asked the pupils to tell him
about Syria, and at first they were only
abie to speak Of Its figs and dates and
rugs, but closer questioning brought forth
the important position it occupies In the
worlds history as the birth place OF hui
man society and the cradle of civilian
tion. Before America was discovered,
while Europe was in her bronze age, the
Farnks engaged in war the Phoenecians
inventing an alphabet, and Roman em-
perors in full pride, Syrian literature and
inventions and discoveries were flourish
ing. Now the speaker spoke with sorrow
OF It's present degradation and Of the hope
that civilization, after covering the west
ern world. would return to abide again
in its cities, mountains and valleys and
under its pleasant skies.
Syria has population of 2 500, 900 an
area OF 30. 900 square miles and more
sects in religion than any country known.
The speaker enumerated seven principal
ones. as follows: Mohammeda Druzes,
Jewish. Nusarieh, HISTORIAN. FL Fazi-
diah. Christians. These differences in
religion are an insurmountable obstacle
cause OF much strife. The Christians of
the west have sent missionaries who
have done much good and schools
have been established. The benefit is
evident, ana the Syrians acknowledge the
debt they owe to the missionaries. The
KorkS OF lne Amerlcan m 1SSlOnarleS may
be summed up as follows: The transla-
ton into Arabic of the best literary and
n edica books. the building OF churches,
the printing press, esta blishing schools,
the most notable being the Syrian Protes-
tant college. a very fine and complete in
stitution The Germans have also estab-
lishcd schools.
1t was with regret that the speaker was
Obliged to confess that the Europeans
had introduced to his country liquors
where they were not knuwn before, and
n q rrcat deal of vice; their princiapl aim
in gong there was apparently, to make
m1ncy.
IN conclusion. the speaker said the
country is in need of faithful workers.
and in the name of the Christian flag
mem Der that your hep is wanted in many
sistficts Of the country. Remember that