The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-01-17
A VISIT TO A LEPER VILLAGE.
Written by Rev. Charlie Pittman
to the Christian EndcavOr So
cicty of the Presbyterian
Church of this Place.
TABRIz, PERSIA,
Dec. s. 1900.

l take the liberty to write you a
letter, hoping that you may find
use for il in some missionary
meeting of your Society. | look
back with a great deal of pleasure
TO the evenings spent in G. E.
meetings, and appreciate more
than ever before their helpful
ness, now that l am separated
from them.
There are many subjects of in
terest upon which l might write
the Educational Department,
consisting of a Boys School and
Girls School; or the Medical
work, consisting of two dispen-
saries under the care of DR.. Brad
ford and DR.. Vanneman; or the
Evangelistic work connected with
the little church in Tabriz but
passing by these, | wish to de
scribe briefly a visit TO leper
village. 1t was two weeks ago
yesterday that DR.. Bradford in
vited me to accompany her and
Miss Beaber ON visit TO a leper
village about ten miles from the
city and l was very glad TO ac-
cept the invitation.
We started about tel o'clock in
the forenoon on horseback, and
rode about four miles before get
ting out of the city. Our progress
through the narrow streets was
frequently interrupted by droves
Of donkeys with their loads of
wood or wheat or -four sticking
out on each side, making it diff
cult for us TO pass. There We're
many half-naked beggars lying
ON the cold ground stretching out
their hands for "shies"-a small
coin worth one-siXth of a cent.
After leaving the city, our jour
ney lay across a mountain pass
over which was only a narrow
path. We had to ascend slowly
and carefully, for the path was
filed with rocks and stones.
Here, again, we met the omni
present donkey; and, also, two
caravans of camels bringing loads
from a distant city. After reach
ing the top, we galloped over a
level stretch of road with great
relief, and then began to descend
on the other side.
We had not gone far, whel DR.
Bradford announced that we had
reached the spot where she al
ways stopped and ate a lunch,
when visiting this village, and we
did not wish TO violate her GUS
tom. So we stopped here and
ate our lunch picnic fashion
while we enjoyed the scenery
about us.
We could now see the leper vii.
lage in the valley below us-a lit
Tie valley surrounded by mount.
aims, and separated from the rest
Of the world that nature seemed
20 have provided for these poor
outcasts. The village consisted
Of a mad wall about ten feet high
enclosing abont ten acres Of
ground. Within this enclosure,
the mud huts were built against
the wall, forming a hollow square.
Ia the centre was mosque
their place Of Worship
The lepers now saw as, and an
lcipating our intentions, began
30 collect outside the wall. Amer
eating our lunch we descended
the steep path by walking aud
leading our horses. Az lhe foot
Of the mountain, we crossed a
small stream diguiiied by ihe
name Of "riger' and soon arrived
al the village, As those people
do not often haye visitors, our ar
rival caused no little eScitement
About sixty persons ull thai
were able 10 come out tlni cold
day bad now gathered outside
iae wall Some ran and brought
straw for our horselS while opp
ers brought old pieces Of cafpel
upon which wore spread The g!ti'
of f0od and clothing Rbioh lh'
church AZ tI'ahrlz had sent them
After they had almost tumblef
oYnr one another lp their epgcf
nesh ~ Hei a peep AZ these pros
nula atlYQ40 unif Ioftlln tlaiu Dir