The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-05
Episcopal Residence,

OdpSlS ySS]ClOJ, VIII NC iOoU Will
general interest
Episcopal Residence,
Columbia, S. c., Jan. %, 1896.
To the Clergy and Laity Of the
Diocese of South Carolina.
Dear Brethren: | have received from
the presiding bishop copies of sundry
petitions. to which he has asked my
signature, the same being addressed
by himself, and the bishops of the
Protestant Episcopal church in the
United States, to the archbishop of
Canterbury, and to the crowned
Leads of Europe, asking their inter
vention in behalf our suffering fel-
low Christians in Armenia. Accom-
panying these petitions is commun-
ication from confidential correspon-
dent in Constantinople, whom the
presiding bishop assures me is in
every way trustworthy and entitled
to entire confidence. This cores
pondent gives the presiding bishop
the facts respecting numerous mur-
ders, massacres, outrages and martyr.
dom which transpired in the months
of October and November last. given
in the order Of their dates.
I make the following extract under
date of November 11th:
"In the city of Harpoot the Chris
tain quarters Of the city were sacked
and many houses were burned,
Over 5000 people were killed and
many others escaped death only after
accepting 1slamism. The churches
and schools were sacked and burned.
Many priests were killed with hor-
rible torture. Others yielded to
the pressure and became Moham-
medans. The Protestant pastor at
Koh, near Harpoot, was killed for
refusing to become Muslin. The
Protestant pastor at Nulakeny es.
capped from the horde of butchering
Muslims and with his wife reached
the city Of Harpoot in safety There
they were taken from the house where
they had found refuge, were ordered
to accept Islamism and on refusal
were put to death At 1tcbee, near
Harpoot, number of the people
succeeded in escaping to the Armen-
ian church, which was a strong, stone
building. Having been induced to
come out they we're allowed to pass
the door one at at a time. Each one
as he came out was invited to en-
brace Mohammedanism All who re-
sused were killed on the spot. Fifty
two accepted martyrdom, and among
them the venerable Pastor Kriker." :"
:. * <
The correspondent above referred
to, writing to the presiding bishop,
uses the following language:
II wish you could help force upon
the minds of the public that no ef-
fective relief can be distributed in
the villages without a special staff
from abroad under the protection Of
the foreign governments. x x
There must be plenty of young
men who would willingly go out on
this errand of mercy accompanied by
native interpreters. There must be
enough conscience in our government
to insist upon their leing protected
while doing SO x x x
"Wbatever is done must be done
quickly. People are dying at the
rate Of six to ten day in several
towns like Ervingan, Arabkir and
Malatia. Even in Van this death
rate exists among the refugees. x x x
"That no nation is really Christian,
and that all nations secretly hate
Christianity has been the burden of
the appeals made, to which in past
years Muslin writer's have prepared
the minds of the people for the
dreadful work now being done. The
apathy of Christendom is now point
ed to as proof of these assertions.
Is Christendom to stand idly and see
the impressions left indelibly upon
the minds of the whole present gen.
Grafton of Muslims ; that Islam is
proven by it's success to be blessed
of God, while Christianity is dis
credited throughout the world ? The
church everywhere has duty to
perform for the honor of Jesus
Christ"
I write to you now, brethren, to
ask your prayers and your AIS in
behalf of our suffering brethren IN
Armenia Let there be an Offering
in each Of our churches for their re-
lief and sent to the Rev Dr. john P
Peters. 2225 west Ninety.nint|: street,
New York city also request that
the prayer, "Fo1 times of war and