The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-01-27
REV. K. H. BAsMAJIAN.
A Lecture by a native Of Armenia.


Rev. K. HI. Basmajian. now of Bos
ton, but native of Armenia, spen
Saturday, Sunday and Monday here
the guest of Rev. r. T. Vann.
He spoke to the Baptist Young Peo
pies Union Friday night, addressed q
large audience in the Baptist church
Sunday morning and again Sunday
night, spoke to the schools of the town
Monday at IL o'clock in Temperance
Hall, and gave an illustrated lecture
Monday night.
He was converted to the Christian
religion at the age of II, was driven
from his home because OF his religious
views, and knows much OF the persecu-
tions of the Christians in that country
Mr.. Basmajlan came to this country
eleven years ago to study theology, and
has taken course at Grocer Sem
mary He is quite polished in manner
fluent in speech, though somewhat
broken, and is thoroughly conversant
with the various religions of the world
His lectures and addresses were great.
ly enjoyed by all who heard them. He
is laborlng to raise fund of $4,000
which is to be permanent fund on
the Interest OF which he proposes to
return to his native Armenia and
preach the gospel to his people at
home. He has already raised a fund
of So, 800 and Is travelling in the South
to raise the balance of the $1,000.
The public collections that he takes
go to the permanent fund he is raising,
which collections he does not handle,
but has them sent to his board, or
committee, in Philadelphia, some OF
whom Rev. R. T. Vann says he knows
This fund he does not touch, but pays
his expenses by the proceeds of his il
Illustrated lectures.
On Sunday his discourse on the
Oriental church and the differences
between it and the Catholic church,
was quite interesting. Sunday night
he gave some account of the massacre
of the Armenians by the Turks, and
described many OF the injustlces which
the Armenians suffer at the hands OF
the Turks. The customs and manners
at the Oriental people were described
in most interesting style.
The illustrated lecture Monday night
showed on canvas with lantern many
interesting scenes In the eastern coun-
try. The Sultan in Constantinople
was showed on his richly coparlsoned
steed, with his body guard, and num-
Der of his palaces, a number of his
300 wives, and street scenes OF the
great massacre, besides numerous 9TH
er views OF various cities, and their
people.
Besides the scenes from the Orient
Mr.. Basmajian gave interesting views
of some things in this country.
He showed in nearly lite size George
Washington, Grover Cleveland, and
President Mckinley. He asked his
audience if they wished to see the next
answered yes. And when he threw on
the canvas the life size figure of Will
liam Jennings Bryan, the audience
went wild for moment with enthusi-
astic applause.
Mr.. Basmajian sang quite number
of hymns in the various languages and
then sang them in English. He has a
fine voice and his audience enjoyed
his songs very much.
The Sunday nights collection for
his permanent missionary fund amount
ed to about $l7. His admission fees
Monday night to the illustrated lecture
were Is cents, and 10 cents for children.
The hall was packed and the receipts
amounted to about $50.
Mr.. Basmajian's visit was much en-
joyed, and besides being much amused
the people of Scotland Neck have been
greatly enlightened by his discourses.
We believe he is doing a good work
and deserves we'll at the hands of the
neOnle wherever he goes.