Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-14
NORWICH TOWN
Miss Riggs of Harpoot Addresses Mis- sionary Society on Conditions in Turkey-k. B. c.s Dress Rehearsal.

On Wednesday afternoon the chapel of the First Congregational church was prettily decorated with potted plants and f1owrs for the April meet ing of the Lathrop Memorial Foreign Missionary society The president. meeting. Over seventy were present, a large number from the Central Bap- tist Missionary society by special in vitation.
 The meeting opened with singing and scripture reading: prayer was of fered by Mrs. F. c. Wright. Mrs. Gal lup of the Central Baptist church read an article on the abolishment of child marriage in India A poem was read by Mrs. Miner, followed by the inspir- ing sir gtng of Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?
 Iu introducing Miss Riggs of liar poot, Turkey. Miss Hyde said that she was the granddaughter of Dr. Riggs of Constantinople, and that her parents are missionaries in Marsovian, Turkey. When Miss Susan Hyde returned to this country Miss Riggs took her place for three years in the school of Adj bazar.
 Miss Riggs said: 'Harpoot Is in Ar try of Turkey is composed of many nations: Armenians, Greeks, Kurds, Arabs and Syrians, who preserve their distinct nationality. Turks are every where in Turkey. My work has been believe that the Young Turk party will under God carry on the government in such way as to promote the good of the country. The army Of spies who are now turned out of their lucrative offices and also the old Turks. who inherit all the prejudices of their an- cestors against the Armenians, oppose the Young Turks.
 '"The Armenians all call themselves Christians. It Is a hard problem to show them the difference between a true heart Christianity and a merely nominal Christianity. Of a Saviour who will purify and sweeten the hard est life, they know little. They go faithfully to church, but do not under stand the ancient Armenian in which most of the service is conducted. They ious, thinking pilgrimages and cere- monies will save from sin. Their zeal in religion, their church going. does not affect their lives, which are full of
 Miss Riggs spoke of the Mohamme- dams thus: Many Of the Moi1ammed- ans are now dissatisfied with their re- ligion- Some of their young people are going to Christian schools. Thirty three Mohammedan girls arc in one Christian school. ten of these are being supported by the Mohammedan gov ernment so that they may be fitted for teaching their own people. The hospitals exert a great influence upon all the Mohamnedans who go there for care.
 "conditions of despair and poverty are all over the country. Some of the causes are that the crops will be stol- en when matured, merchants goods will be seized en route, and the ignor- ance among the people of the way of bettering existing conditions. The good schools established by Americans there are making conditions better and stimulating the starting of other schools. would plead with you," the speaker said, ito pray for all these people, so dear to the heart of God"
 Her clear voice and natural manner of speaking deepened the interest in what Miss Riggs said. The hymn I Hear My Saviour Calling was sung. and Rev G. H. Ewing closed the meet ing with prayer and benediction. Miss Louise Hyde was pianist The ladies present met Miss Riggs during the so- cial hour which followed Tea was served by Mrs. H. l.. Warrington and Mrs. Dwight w. Avery, assisted by Misses Sadie J. Dawson. Gertrude Man ming. Ruth L. Potter and Louise H. Pratt.