Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-15
MISSIONS IN TURKEY
A Hard Field With Numerous
Obstacles.
The Sultan Wishes His People to
Remain Ignorant.
Christian Institutions Grow Slowly IN
that Region.


VIM. f. Curtis in the Chicago Record
Herald He was joined by Pliny Fisk
and Jonas King in 1923, but in 1925
they were compelled to retire because
of political disturbances and the mis-
sions were suspended for nine years.
In 1923 Isaac Bird and William
Goodel of the American Board OF For
eign Missions landed at Beirut, opened
a school and began to circulate the
Holy Scriptures among the people, but
two years later they also were COM
PEELED to withdraw until 1880. Since
the latter date work has been continu-
Gus, this field being allotted to the
Presbyterians in 1870.
Until 1910 Professionalism was religio
illicita, but that year was recognized
by the sultan as one of the religions of
Turkey. In 1874 Sultan Abdul Medjid
issued a firmin forbidding persecution
and interference. In 1850 he granted
THE Imperial Protestant Charter of
Rights" guaranteeing Protestants all
the rights and privileges of the other
religious sects of the empire. In 1850
was proclaimed the famous edict
guaranteeing that Moslem converts to
Christianity should not be put to
death. This was due to an event
which shocked the world. A young
MosIem was publicly beheaded at Con-
stantinople for becoming a Christian.
But the letter as well as the spirit of
this charter has always been eVaded.
The Turks do not understand the
meaning of religious liberty. Freedom
OF conscience has never existed for Mo-
hammedans. and those who abandon
the faith of their fathers do so with the
penalty of death upon them. But if
there were no greater obstacles the
pride of the Turk would prevent him
from adopting Christianity even if he
ceased to have faith in his own re-
Iigion. In the Turkish Empire none
but Mohammedans may rule.
Christians of whatever sect are in a
state of subsection.
While there is no official restriction
upon Christians and interference with
their work and worship is prohibited,
active opposition is constantly made in
an indirect way by the officials of the
government and the municipalities and
of an eXasperating character The
most patient ana persistent efforts
often fail to secure the fulfillment of
promises and the Christian has no
remedy against the violation of con-
tracts. 1t may be said that this applies
to all religious communities except
Mohammedans. Professionals, and par
tcularly American Professionals, are
treated as well as anybody and perhaps
Il little better than others, because they
are few in number. They are entirely
exempt from all political complications.
They seek no favors. they pay for what
they get on liberal terms and are the
most intelligent, progressive and be-
nevolent portion of the community.
The Irish Presbyterian church has a
station at Damascus where it has
taken over the American interests; the
British Syrian School Society has
schools at several of the cities and viii
lagos. the Free Church of Scotland
maintains a number of schools in the
Lebanon district; the Established
Church of Scotland has a mission to
the Jews in Beirut: the Church of Eng
land has several stations in Palestine:
the Reformed PresbyterianS of the
United States have missions among the
Nusaireeyeh people; the Presbyterian
Church of England has mission at
Aleppo especially for the Jews, and
there are several other Protestant mis-
sionary enterprises in Syria in addi-
ton to those of the American Presby-
terrain board.
In 1860 the translation of the New
Testament into Arabic was completed
by Rev. DR.. Cornelius V. A. Van Dyke.
The work was begun in 1S4S by DR.. Eli
Smith aided by Mr.. Bistany, a native
scholar. formerly a Maronite, who is
said to have been the most learned as
we'll as the most influential man in
modern Syria. He was the author of
the Arabic dictionary and the Arabic
encyclopedia. The latter is a compre-
hensive work of twelve Volumes a
compilation and translation from the
best English, American, French and
German encyclopedias, with additions
and lamentations appropriate to the
Arabic people. His death in 1883 was
a great loss, especially to literary and
scientific circles. He continued to as
sst DR.. Van Dyke, who took up the
work of translatng the Bible when DIR.
Smith died in 1857. and continued to be
his chief collaborateur. 1t was a labor
of sixteen years for three devoted
scholars, and was nearly all done in a
little room in the building now oc-
cupied by the Beirut Female Seminary.
A memorial tablet in Arabic and
English was placed upon the walls
some years ago by President Gilman of
Johns Hopkins University, to COM
memorate one of the most important
events in the history of missions. 1t
must be remembered that this achieve
ment was not for Syria alone. Arabic
is the sacred language of 200, ZOO, 900
people who dwell in all quarters of the
slobe. and at least 1000. 900 are now
under the care of the United States in
the Philippine Islands No scholars
are so critical as learned Arabs and it
is gratifying to know that without ex-
ception they pronounce the translation
OF the Bible by DIR. Smith. Dr. Van
Dyke and Mr.. Bistany accurate and
classical. 1t is now printed in New
York. London and Beirut in different
sizes and forms and sold in all Mo-
mammalian countries. Since the trans
lation of the Old Testament was fin
lshed in 1865 over $4,000 copies have
been printed and sold to the several
Arab nations of the EARTH
n 1t was not until 1887, however, that
the MALLS ell maarif, or minister of
public instruction. by order of the SILL