The morning times., 1897-01-05
HIS VISIT TO THE GEAR
Bishop Satterlee Tells Of His
Recent Trip to Russia.
AUDIENCE HARD TO OBTAIN
After Repeated Efforts Nicholas
Received the American Minister
and Listened to His Plea for
Armenians-Dowag Empress In
terested In the Question.

IeFGSteU III
Exceedingly interesting and instructive
was the address of Bishop Satterlee at
Trinity Parish last evening. He gave an
account of his mission to Russia on behalf
OF the prosecuted Christians OF Armenia.
The audience, which was composed exclu-
clusively of men, gave the closest atten-
tion to the bishops narrative, and the
touches of keen wit and bright sketches of
life in the domains OF the cZar were highly
appreciated.
Commencing with the object OF his mis-
sion to the Russian capital, DIR. Satterlee
laid especial stress on the absolute lack OF
all governmental assistance in its pIosecu-
tion, saying that his efforts to obtain an
audience with the dignita1es of the Rus
sian court were made as the agent Of the
religious bodies of the United states.
The help OF Minister Breckinridge in get
ting a hearing at the court OF st. Peters
burg was not sought, as it was assured that
the presentation of the petition should be
absolutely devoid of even the appearance
OF political Significance. Therefore. when
the bishop reached st. Petersburg he tonce
set about obtaining the desired audience
with the young emperor in way which was
decidedly unusual in that country where
the strict observance of all ceremOnious
functions are so relgiously adhered to.
Trying to See the Gar.
He met many of the dignitaues OF the
Russian church, and though he found them
almost universally in favor OF some action
By the government looking to the anchor
alton OF the conditions resulting from the
cruelty of the Turks, they We're all skcpti-
cal regarding the chance of securing an
audience with the cZar. However, Bishop
Satterlee did not despair of ultimate sue
cess and continued to prosecute his design
with unabated energy, securing the Co
operation OF several mobiles close to the
throne whom he succeeded in interesting
in his petition.
1t was deemed hopeless by those ac-
quaintcd with the machinery of the i'm
perial court to intrust the presentation OF
the petition To any hands butthOSe ofBishOp
Satterlee himself, as II would almost GER
tainly fail to reach the proper deStina-
ton. so all offers regarding its convey
aDce by other means were politely de-
clined.
During his soiOurn in the Russian capital
DR.. satterlee became intimately acquainted
with the various peculiar customs OBJ
tanning there. Especially unique are the
ecclesiastical forms and ceremonies, viewed
from the American point OF view. Kissing
among the church dignataries is the usual
form OfSaIutation. and Dr. Satterlee created
considerable merriment whcnin endeavur-
ing to reCOlleCt the name OF certain
functionaiy, he remarked: II don't quite
recall his name. though l distinctly re-
member kissing him seven times
Received by the Gar.
A fishing trip to Finland was one of
the pleasing features OF the bishops Rus
sian sojourn- Finland he says, resembles
in topography the Adirondacks of New
York. nearly all the country being hiy
and interspersed with picturesque noun
tains and rapidly flowing streams Here
the wealthy ariStocrats OF Russia FIRE
quently come on camping or hunting trips
during the summer season.
DR.. Satterlee continued his efforts toward
gaining audience with the car for nearly
Il month and finally he almost despaired
OF success. However, late one evening he
| received letter containing the welcome
news that Nicholas would grant him a
private audience at his villa.
This audience, as described By DIR. Sat
terlec was simple IN the extreme and he
could hardly conceive that he was stand
| ing before the monarch OF a country in
| which all the outward pomp and ciEcum-
! stance finds its fullest expression.
The czar was attended by his wife and
| they 10th greeted the American divine
with courteous bot direct simplicity. DIR.
| SatterIec presented the petition and at
the same time sIo oke of the anxiety of all
| civilized nations concerning the action OF
| Russia with regard to Armenia.
The czar listened Closely To all that was
SAID, returning short diplomatic answers
which gave no Indication as to his atti-
tude on the question.
Gladstone Also Visited.
| DR.. Satteriee was profoundly impressed
by the courteous attention with which his
| remarks were received, and after about
| fifteen minutes spent i'll the royal presence
he withdrew. with the cars assurance
that the petition would rec Give his careful
! consideration.
| The church officials who had assisted DIT.
| Satterlee in his mission were even more
| reception than they were that he had Sc
| cured tile hearing. They could hardly Con-
ceive that the car should fail To express
his dspeasure at the presentation OF the
petition
Tie audience with the cZar was shortly
followed by one with the empress dowager
in which her highness though not exactly
expressing her sympathy for the Armen-
ians, gave that impression. Her reception
OF Dr. SatterIee was equal in simplicity
to that accorded by the emperor, and the
bishop with all the Russian sympathiZers
of the movement We're highly elated over
his success, which seemed TO promise much
for the future.
DIR. Satterlee visited Gladstone at Hawar
den Castle while in England, and tn,
grand Old man was exceedingly inter
ested in the account of the audience granted
the American preacher by the car, al
| though he did not entertain much hope Of
favorable action by Russia.
| DR.. SatteFlee also visited DIR. Stepher
! Gladstone, son OF the statesman, Gurins
his sojourn in England.
1
The Real Joy.
"Now Children said the school teacher