St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-05-15
AbySSinia,


southern boundary being a branch
of the great river Nile, which separ-
ates it from the country of the Gal
las. 1t has an area of about 200,-
600 square miles and a population
of from 100000 to 100000.
Its name is derived from the Arabic
word Habesch, which means mix
ture, or confusion, and it was so
named on account of the mixed
character of the people.
1t is very mountainous country,
but has extensive elevated table
lands, from 5000 to 5000 feet
above the level Of the sea.
The climate is said to be very de-
lightful, not subject to extremes of
heat or cold. Here are found most
of the so-calIed domestic animals,
and the Gala oxen with their
immense horns, sometimes four feet
long, abound here.
The inhabitants are a mixed race
or we may say, they belong to
several races, but the majority are of
the Caucasian lineage and are gener-
ally we'll formed and handsome,
with regular features, bright eyes,
very straight hair, and are of a dark
olive color. Some writers who have
studied the subject consider them
identical in features with the Bedouin
Arabs. Many OF the people are still
idolators but most of them are
Mohammedans, and very many have
adopted the Christianity of the
Abyssinians. A race of Jews inha bit
a certain district and affirm that
their fathers came into the country
in the days of Rehoboam, but the
more correct opinion is that they
arrived here about the time of the
destruction of Jerusalem. The pre-
vailing religion is very corrupted
form of Christianity. AS far as we
can learn, the religion of Christ was
introduced into the country about
the year $50, but it has become so
mixed and corrupted that it is little
more than dead formality. Feasts
and fasts are very frequent and the
Lords Supper and baptism are dis
pensed after the manner of the Greek
church.
They have no images for worship,
but have many pictures of saints and
of the Virgin Mary whom they re-
gard as the queen of heaven and
earth and the great intercessor for
the sins of mankind. They are
divided into three distinct parties
and are far from friendly towards
each other. 1t is very plain that
these people are sadly in want of the
blessed Book which is able to make
them wise unto salvation.
In very early times the Hebrews
had intercourse with Philippians
and they have tradition that the
Queen OF Sheba was monarch of
their country and that from her
son Menelek the kings of Abyssinia
are descended.
1t is said that their first Christian
missionary to this country was Fru-
mentius who was consecrated their
bishop first.
The history of Abyssinia, which is
just now involved in sort of reli.
gious struggle, is very interesting,
and it may be that the stirring
events in that part of the world and
also in Armenia will prove to be the
beginning of a struggle which shall
end in the overthrow or the weaken
ing of the Moslem faith and the
triumph of the Cross.
1t is our duty as Christians who
are praying for the priceless Gospel
to acquaint ourselves with all these
great movements, that we may be
ready to give an answer to every
one who asketh reason Of the hope
that is in us" of the final overthrow
of error and the enthronement of him
whose right it is to reign. Surely
God is calling to us in tones that
cannot be mistaken to come up to
his help against the mighty, and
each one who claims Christ as his
Savior and King should be in readi-
ness to respond to the call.