Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-10-21
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning Oct. IS, 1908.
BY REV. s. Fl. DOYLl

Topic.-Foreign missions Fidelia Fiske
and missions in Persia.-Mic. iv. IL.
The history of Persia from a re-
ligious standpoint is u most interesting
enc. 1t was so situated that in the
early centuries of Christianity its ter
ritory was the ground of many religious
controversies and conflicts, both Chris
Liam and Mohammedau. 1t is also i'll
teresting because of the intimate re-
lations that existed in Old Testament
times between Persia and the people
Of God. The Jewish prophets predict
ed the destruction of all the surround
ing nations. and their prophecies have
come true. But Persia was never de-
nouneed, and it stands today as one
of the nations of the world. 1t was
through Cyrus, king of Persia, that
the chosen people were allowed to re-
turn to Jerusalem. The carly religion
was that of Zoroastrianism-the wor-
snip of tire-and it, like Judaism
taught the existence of our God. This
was another tie that bound the two ma
tons together. This unique relation
ship between Judah and Persia existed
with no other nation and adds new in
terest to religion in Persia.
1t cannot be said that Christianity
has ever had a strong hold upon Per
sian life Christianity was early press
ed upon the Persians, but the old faith
of Zoroaster as the state religion pre-
dominated Persian kings often IA
vored Christianity, but the people hell
fast to the cid faith. 1t was hard
field, and progress was slow. And
then in the fifth century there were bit
ter controversies within the Christians
church. which finally led to separa
ton between the eastern Christians
and those of the west. This final sep
aration was the HISTORIAN controversy
concerning the nature of Christ The
Persian emperor cha mpioned the cause
of Nestorius. probably because 1t
pleased him to see his subjects break
the bonds that existed enthusiastically
between them and Rome The Nesto-
rians made great progress throughout
Persia The next religious. movement
was the complete subjueation of the
Persians by the Mohammedans, who
from that day to this have ruled in
Persia. Despite the conquest Of the
Moslems. Christian missions have still
been carried on and are today.
Miss Fidelia Fiske takes high rank
among those who have engaged in
school work. She was born in Shel-
burne. Mass, May l. 1916 She died
in the same place at the home Of her
brother July &c, 1864. In 1881 Miss
Fiske was pupil and then teacher at
Mount Holyoke seminary with Miss
Mary Lyon. partaking largely of her
spirit In 1S43 she went to Persia &c
n HISTORIAN mission. Here she labored
for fourteen years and then was com
PEELED by i'll health to return to the
United States, where she still kept up
her interest and activity in the mission
school at Oroomiah, Persia, where she
had labored. Her work was farreach-
ing. The school had up to this time
been but day school, but she de-
sired it to become a boarding school
and accomplished her desire. and it be-
came fine seminary. There was
great revival in Persia in 1876 and it
StdI leu lEDlll the OTDoulldu StHptI
Women thronged the seminary seeking
religious instruction and We're not
turned away. She had the Christ
spirit, and, no matter how tired from
her ordinary work, she found time for
inquirers. Day and night she labored
and then had to leave because of Ill
ness. She had won the love of many.
pc. rc. only for herself; h-t for her Saw
four. AS she was about to lee
Oroomiah the women and girls who
went to say farewell asked, Can we
not have one more prayer meeting be-
fore you goY' and May II not be In
that Bethel f"-her room 1t was held.
and one petition in a prayer showed
how they loved her 1t was as follows:
May our teachers dust never mingie
with that of father or mother, but
may she come back to us to mingle her
dust with her pupils dust, hear the
trumpet with them and with them GO
up to meet the Lord and be forever
with Him" What a tribute to her
devotion and what an expression of
gratitude for IT, May the fourteen
years of service Of Fidelia Fiske in.
spire US TO do more for the advance
ment of Christ's kingdom, for which
she was willing TO sacrifice so muchl
BIBLE READINGS.
lisa. xii, IS; Iii, Z; Est. ii, SIS;
Dan. viii, 1927; Matt. xvii. 55-6l;
xviii, Is. 10. 20; Acts i, S-14; iv, 80
81; Rom. X, IA, 10; Rev. xii, H.
In Lands Altar.