Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-07-25
A LETTER FROM BULGARIA.

the Orleans Co. Conference, VT, q. s. A.
have been trying for some time
past to get this letter written: but
have been hindered. But now must
certainly dispose of it, as there is
work before me that will keep me
exceedingly busy for many weeks to
come.
We are only fortnight distant from
the end of this school year. The work
of our Institute this session has been
quite satisfactory from the standpoint
of studies. The standard of work has
been maintained, and we have
even been able to take steps to
elevate it for the future. There
are many who think that the Insti-
tute is bound to develop into Col
lege pretty soon, and perhaps it may.
But, whether it does or not, it is hold
! ing it's own and even advancing as an
educational institution.
Spiritually, things have not been
quite so satisfactory. We have had
] LIZ COAN y OoA AAAO lcOOOA1J
we have had several rather serious
troubles amongst the students. At
the same time, we think this state of
matters is easily accounted for. You
remember the disturbed political con-
dition which described to you, and
you must have read in the papers of
the large number of revolutionary
bands that were organized here in
Bulgaria and crossed over into Mace
donia. All this, continuing for more
than two years, has produced very
lawless spirit amongst the young men
of the country. 1t makes them high
handed and impatient of restraint,
and inclines them to defy all law
whether of man or of God. 1t is the
influence of this spirit amongst our
students that has affected them for the
worse. We are sorry for it; but we
believe that, as the political condition
quiets down again, things will i'm
prove, and we shall have blessings in
our midst as before.
But the year has not been all dis
appointment, even in spiritual things.
Laterly, some of our older Christian
students have walked up to see that
they have not been decided enough in
their stand, that they have not been
earnest and active enough, and that
some of the blame for the Indifference
I,if0Ct06 fnll
them. Even though late, they are
now trying to redeem their opportu-
mites; and think 1 can already see
that happy results are to follow.
Then, too, am glad to be able to tel
you of the excellent influence that
has been welded by that Sunday
Afternoon Club for our younger boys
which, as told you in my last letter,
some of our ladies started last fall
and have kept up ever since. 1t has
been power for good amongst the
boys. The conduct record of the boys
in that Club has improved astonish.
1ngly, and cannot but believe tina
this outward Improvement is record
and indication of change that is go
ing on within them-
But while am and always shall b.
4 deeply interested in this Institute, thi
: is probably the last time that I shall
+ write you as its director. From tn
very first of my connection with thi
n mission, my heart has been chiefly il
the literary or publication work
q Even during the six years of m,
a dictatorship have carried the tw,
q works together; but it is too heavy
. burden for one person to bear. How
|, ever, one of the new missionaries
II who joined our ranks two and one
half years ago was invited to com,
q with the special view of preparing
himself to take the dictatorship o
this Institute; and now that he hat
got good hold of the language ant
f has gained some experience, we thint
t that he is ready to take up this work
Q So hope at the end of this month tt
\ resign the dictatorship, and expec
e that he will be appointed in my stead
7 Though he is my own nephew, I an
y free to say that he is a particularly
g fine young man, and I have every
y hope that with Gods blessing tn,
, Institute will prosper in his hands
= = After that l hope to devote mysel
It exclusively to the literary and publica
y ton work. In foreign mission Their,
4. is always plenty of that to do. Fo
n some tine past have been busy pre-
"A pairing and carrying through tn
press new edition of our Bulgaria.
y Bible. This work will still last for
II good while, and by the time it is fin
s, ished we shall be ready to begin tn