The herald., 1896-11-11
ARMENIAN PROSECUTIONS.
Stedfast Adherence of the People to the
Christian Faith Amid Tribulation.

In no country on earth, perhaps, has
the Christian religion commended against
such fearful odds as in Armenia.
Away back in the fourth century, less
than 300 years from the date upon which
the last book of the New Testament was
finished, Tiridates the Great, the ruler
of Armenia, was converted to Christian
ity by st. Gregory. Armenia was at that
time Roman province but its ruler was
native prince, and his example was fol-
lowed by thousands of the nobility and
common people.
From that time down to the present
period of over 1900 years, Armenia
has been the bulwark Of Christianity
in Asia. But the standard of him who
died on Calvary, and whose teachings
have been practiced "even in the utter
most ends of the world" has not been
held aloft by this determined people ex-
cept under the most adverse circum-
| stances.
Soon after the death of Tiridates, and
when the little band of Armenian Chris
| tians had been reduced to mere hand
full by the incursions of the pagan tribes,
which surrounded them on all sides,
Aheir country was literally overrun by
the Persian fire. worshippers.
Hardly had it recovered from this pa
gan raid before its Christian population
was again decimated-this time by the
Mohammedan caliphs, who proceeded
to put every man and woman to the
sword who would not publicly declare
that there is no god but God, and Mo-
manned is his prophet"
But the Christian watch fires did not
entirely die out, even during the preva-
lence of the great storm of adversely.
From the few sparks which were pre-
served through these perilous times
sprang the movement which nearly
wholly Christianized that isolated Ash
attic region during the ninth and tenth
centuries. During the two centuries
mentioned Armenia was ruled by native
princes and enjoyed great prosperity.
The eleventh century inaugurated an
other era of massacre and devastation,
the almost defenceless Armenian Chris
tians being this time assailed by both
the Greeks and the Turks, who divided
the country between themselves, leav-
ing but one or two tributary princes.
They withstood this crucial test, as they
had Others however, and came out as
the Omitted Armenian Provinces" with
in less than century.
In the thirteenth century the Mongols
took their turn and almost wiped the
Armenans off the face of the earth, but
they arose. and We're quite prominent
in Asiatic affairs until the middle of the
fifteenth century, when their country
was divided between Persia and Turkey.
Then came struggle between the two
countries last mentioned for the Bosses
sion of the ancient province in which. of
course, Armenia was the greatest SUI
ferer. Early in the present century the
Russian car took a hand, declaring him
self to be the protector of Christian
rights in Armenia. The British have
also proclaimed themselves champions
of Christianity in the east, but the mas
sacres of Armenian Christians by Turks.
Kurds and pagans continue, just as thew
have, except the short intervals of com.
parative quietude, for more than 1900
years. Any people who for conscience
sake will suffer one constant nightmare
of war. blood and general oppression
surely deserve the sympathy and should
command the help and support of every
Christian nation on the globe.-S..
Louis Republic.