Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-05-21
Letters from Syria.
Aleppo. April 4, 1898.


Our party has now safely reached
this city. our journey, overland to
KILLS, by horse, thIrty-five miles, and
from Kills to Aleppo by wagon An
other thirty-five miles, or Whereabouts
was Peasant enough so far as the
weather IVES concerned, but the ride
on horseback, a long distance, with
poor saddles and poor animals is very
tiresome. Could we have been seen by
our friends they would have smiled at
our appearance. Stiff and limpy we
made our way into Kills and found
our nights lodgings in the same inn
with the donkeys and camels. The
donkeys prayed with such force and
melody that talking while they had the
floor was out of the question. Still we
were entertained, for the soldiers at
the barracks practicing the calls on
their bugles We're responded to by the
jacks IN their basso tones. And then
Tor change the dogs on the market
peioW would have quarrel and then
a battle, all of which helped to break
the monotony of the occasion.
l should have mentioned the parting
with the Saints at Alntab. on March
the 29th we left Aintab, after a touch
Ing farewell with our dear brethren
and sisters whom we have learned to
love for their faith and love of the Cos
pei. They went with us out of town,
many of them. where we gathered In a
group and offered prayer. This custom
has remained since the days OF the
Apostles. when they left. we read that
the Saints went with them, and that
they prayed, committing one another
To the kind keeping of God. 1t Is only
fair to rcltlon here that though many
OF the people are llght-minded in some
things and have but few cares In n
worldly sense, being satisfied with but |
a little; yet 1t must also be mentioned |
that they are intellectually bright |
when touched by a flash of light, and !
that the Gospel Is n sweet theme to
them. And then they do really desire |
their souls salvation. And do believe
a fair per cent of them viii be useful
member in the Church of Christ and
will do much toward the upbuildng of
the kingdom of God upon the earth.
This may be equally applicable to male
and female Many good staunch sis
ters may be found among our Saints.
and must say that l have been much
surprised Mt the faith and independ
ence our sisters have exhibited in ro-
ceiving the Gospel. While here ton
years ago so little was seen of the
women that no real opinion could be
formed, but now that the Gospel leaven
mas had time to work we find the same
conditions here as in other countries.
and find sisters who have stepped for
waiu and received the ordinance of
baptism, even though father and
mother objected. Young men full of
faith and hope have broke loose from
KINDRED and traditions and come cut
boldly for the truth. Now If they have
been inspired of God through His Holy
Spirit to begin right, why should they
no nave power to continue and be use
iul In doing the part In building up
me various stakes of Zion If they OBJ
serve the conditions Of the Gospel?
At Kills we CHANGED on Cherkes
tcaucasian) whom we hired to take us
10 Aleppo. He proved n very nice lit
Tie fellow so we partly spoke for him
TO take us from Aleppo to Damascus,
overland. At Aleppo we We're met by
inc Saints outside of town and by them |
we were escorted to the home of DIR.
Hagobian where We were made well
come, and. where Brother Lund and
the writer made their home while they
so1ourned few days in Halep. The
Saints in Haiep were not so united "a
those in Aintab and Fora; still. we be-
lieve we succeeded in restoring good ;
feeling and in organizing them in n
better order so that they will find It {
much batter ana easier to overcome I
their difficulties. Three were added to |
the Church here. !
Aleppo or Halep, as the Turks call
i, Is large city, with a large trade. I
Its bazaars ere very extensive There I
IS q good deal of weaving going on I
here, so that it may be said to be n l.
town also, so that Its n
100000 Inhabitants are kept quite Il
'usy. Many nice houses are being built II
IN the outskirts of the city, 50 that o
'ome parts have quite a modern APP "
Since the road has been l.
quit through many fine Carriages are k
'ound In town. h
Aleppo Is an old city. probably was g
n existence 1000 years before Christ u
I was then named Beroea. 1t is located h
ibout 900 feet above the level of the o
ca The climate is somewhat cool dur J.
ng It's short winter period. but the n
summer Is pleasant. being temperate, ! e
With cool westerly winds. 81
A curious disease known as the AL u
'ppo boil or button prevails in this
lily and neighborhood Most Of the o
'eopie seem to take the disease. 1t is n
aid not to be painful, hut after n II
ears time leaves its marks. and the O.
'eoDle are horribly dishgured with 1t, "
4 course. some more some less. Wis b
tors are said to have taken the plague W
ong after they have visited Aleppo. I q
Dogs and cats have their turn also, d
ience the POOR street-dog who has a g
eyere attack presents II most horrid d
ppeerance. W
Owinr to the barren looks of the coun- So
~ around Aleppo the city and sur al
look like an oasis in the des- W
ri. This Is. however, not because Of b!
he real barrenness of the country, but W
ecause OF the Incidence and careless, N
ess Of the fellah (Arab farmer). This te
pecies Of humanity does nothing to W
improve conditions nor to make for 81
lmself comfort He plants no treea al
or think of his needs tomorrow but Ia
content to keep things moving In the III
ime lines that his father left. In
Between Kills and Aleppo is much II
ne country, some with fine water III
rlvlleges Thousands of acres of rs 90
ne land az is laid out door in any to
ountry. Yet we saw no signs OF n &C
orn (mais) stock. Wheat and barley W.
as the grain, that or nothing " 60
purse In many districts II was next to IN
othing. But had they planted little nj
Drn, which must certainly do exceed
lcly well here, they would rest the hu
md and get better yields and have re,
lance to clean out the land which Is 10
retty weedy in many places. o. how 80
ell we Americans could live in places M
Ike that If we had It under our control. ~
beautiful climate, good soil, and fair W
ater' Many people with fair energy "a
nd economy are living high with no T..
ich opportunities laying out doors az III
ay be found In northern Syria with ot
ich n country Mt their command, It is w
, wonder that the Syrian kings could IN
'ise great armies and carry on great W
nrs. Here were resources and n ~
ace whore wealth could be produced ~
Palestine has its excelenccs, but II
small. Had Israel been blessed with ela