Evening journal., 1908-10-21
CHRISTIAN
ENDEAVOR NEWS

Topic, October 25.--Foreien Missions;
Fidelia Fiske, and Missions In Persia
Micah 4;17.
In the little town Of shelburne. lying
upon one Of the spurs OF the Green
Mountains, in Franklin county, Mas
sachusetts. Fidolia iFske was borr,
May /, tsi6. The strength and beauty
Of this mountain region. where she
spent the first twenty years Of her life.
were transfused into her character.
and long line Of godlv ancestors was
also among the determining influences
of her life
She early gave her heart 10 the saw
ious, and IN 1881 became a member Of
tho congregational Church al shell
hurne. After fifteen years spent as
pupil and teacher In the district
schools in and near her own town,
Miss Fiske entered Mt. Holyoko Semi
nary az South Hadey. Mass, an insti-
tuition 10 which she became greatly at
tached. There the missionary call
came to her in January. 1S4S. whom
DR. Perkins. OF the American Board,
visited Mt. Holyoke in search OF teach
ers for the Female Seminary I'm Uru-
mia, Persia. and she sailed for her
Eastern home on March ]. 1S43. reach
4 ing Urumia on June IA.
The HISTORIAN Mission was estab-
lished In 1884. and good work has been
/ done by the missionaries, but when
| Miss Fiske arrived only fve true
/ Christians were known in the whole
HISTORIAN nation. There were schools
for the children. but few Of the girls
/ would attend. The HISTORIAN women
were sadly neglected Lying. stealing
/ and profanity were common among
them and they were regarded by the
men as slaves and drudges. Miss
/ Fiske gathered the girls into the semi
nary and gave them her love and caro-
as we'll as her instruction as a teacher
She also visited tho women in their
homes. endeavorng to brins some
light into their darkened lives.
The year 1876 witnessed the first of
a series Of extensive ana remarkable
revivals. which gladdened the hearts
OF the missionaries. Some Of the most
hardened men and women We're con-
verted and their lives wonderfully
transformed the aspect Of entire VIII
lagos was changed. and the influence
Of these revivals on the minds and
manners Of the girls was marked Miss
Fisko's influence was wonderful II Is
said that a very vile character. a
Koordish chief, brought his daughter
to the school. and was himself con-
verted before he left tho premises. All
he could say was: MY great sins! My
great Saviour"
After fifteen years Of self -sacrlfcine
and devoted service in Persia. Miss
Fiske was obliged to return 20 Amer
lea because Of falling health. Just be-
fore leaving Urumia. she had tho JOY
Of sitting at tho communion table with
ninety-three HISTORIAN Christians
She died i'm her childhoods home on
July 16 1864
Miss Rice. who for eleven years wal
3 Miss Fiskes associate teacher In the
, female seminary at Urumia. writes ol
her character In the following words
: "Unselhshness, benevolence. gentle,
5 ness. prnyerfulness remarkable execu
tive ability adaptation TO oircum
5 stances. versatility, excellent judE
. meut perseverance and a wonderful
{ power Of influencing others. were SOM
! Of tho natural traits Of her character
Z which grace strengthened and heauti
! fed with the fruits ~ the spirit
p our state convention. for which w
/ have been preparing during the pas
y weeks. opens Its session tomorrow a
the Delaware Avenue Baptist Church
The morning trains win he bringing u.
delegates from al parts Of the state