Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-13

from the grasp OF tne IN
= ndel Turk" By the allies is
the Island OF Cyprus. This is one Of
the most famous Of all the islands Of
tho Mediterranean. and is especially
notable 70 Christians for It's historic
associations.
Any one who has read the Acts Of
the Apostles Ia the Bible cannot fail
10 remember that the Island OK
Cyprus is mentioned eight or nine
times, and that It was the place IN
which Saint Paul first found his won
derful inspiration as the Apostle to
the Centiles."
Saint Paul, Il must be remembered,
had never seen Jesus, and some
questioned his right TO serve as an
Apostle, especially az he announced
aome very novel and revolutionary
ideas. I'D to his time the conversions
had taken plaza altogether among the
Jews, or among those who we're wilt
ing 10 accept the rite OF Abraham.
In fact, Christianity was sect Of
Judaism, and itn followers differed
from the other Jews only In one re-
gpoct. They accepted all Of the
Jewish law, bat they believed that
Jesus had been and was the Messiah,
while the other Jews held that he had
not fulfilled the required conditions,
and that the Messian was stiii 70
come.
It was Just at this critical iuncturo
that the Island OF Cyprus began to
play part Ia the new movement
The prosecutions Of the Christians on
the mainland Of Asia Minor, leading
M 70 the death Of Saint stephen,
and subsequent thereto, drove many
converts 70 the Island OF Cyprus.
soon thereafter quite colony Of con-
verted Cypriote Jews IL known 10
have arisen. Among these was
Mnason (called an f'original con-
yert'D, and 5oHes the LevIte, who was
called Barnnbas BY the Apostles. and
Is since known by that name.
II was this Darnabaa who stood
sponsor for saint Paul, and went to
Cyprus with him on that frst me-
morablo Journey In A., afterward tax.
ing Saint Mark 10 Cyprus when he
went out 10 preach 10 tho 0entilen.
II should be remembered that Paul
had heon violent opponent OK
.Chriatianity. and that fharn were
many doubts az 20 the sincerity Of
hin conversion. Had Il not been
for Barnnbne Of Cyprus it Is more
than possible that there would have
haoa no Apoafolata Of Paul, and the
history Of Christianity would have
boen quite different.
II was Of BarnabRa that Saint Luke
said: 'For he was a good man. full Of
the Holy Ghost and Of Faith" A
tomb said 10 be that OF Saint Barna-
has Is shown at Salnmig, on the
Island Of Cyprus, where be 10 re-
ported to have met martyrs death.
IT WAS In this tomb that the original
Of the Gospel, according 70 Saint
Matthew. was said TO have been dis
covered in the early centuries.
The Island OF Cyprus was famous
place long before the age Of Christian
ity. X had been settled BY tbs Phoe-
niciRna. the wonderfully progressive
nation OF ancient times. who planted
their colonies all over the Mediter.
rancan Sea. ft was the largest Of ell
the islands In this sea, except Sicily
and Sardinia. being one hundred and
foriy-ono miles long and sixty miles
broad. Lord Kitchener made care
lul survey Of the island In 1885. nndr
Ing 1t to contain an area Of 8bsl
square miles.
The island was Of especial value 10
the oncicnts because Of itg great
mineral wealth. for here we're great
copper mines worked by the Phoeni-
cianB: silver mines, and ovcn din.
m0nds and emeralda were found. II
was q great place for the expert Of
salt, that invaluable product Of al
ages. and still furnishes salt 10 the
surrounding country.
The Island Of Cyprus has been q
bone Of contention among tho ma
tions ever since Il wes taken over By
the Romans t5s b. c., bat especially =
during the last rev decades have
Quafrels centred around H. There
are only about p per cant Of Turks
on the island and the Greek
Christians there would naturally not
desire 70 be ruled by these inndeis
nnglknd has exercised kind Of pro
tectorate. and BY dividing the courts
bf Justice and glying the various ele
nents OF the population their Own
courts. something like peace has been
established. Here wac. however. onG
o. the earliest Of the Christian
churches, the Fatriarchate OF Cyprus
having been recognised BY the Coun
Ell OF Ephesus as early as All.
The taking over Of tho island By
England will be a cause OF great re
ioicinf 20 the large majority ol
Christian inhabitants. and. at thl
same time. win ho hailed as the nrs
Step toward the ACKNOWLEDGMENT o.
Turkey.
From historical and archneologi
cal point Of view Cyprus a one Of th'
most Interesting places In the world
Long before the time OF the phooni
clans Il was inhabited BY 4 hlghl,
civilIEed race, allied IN art anl
language with the Nycenacans Man,
remains OF this art have been brought
10 light BY the excavations which
have been IN progress elnce 1917.
The United States Is especially IN
teresled IN Cyprus because Il has Il
the Caenola c0llecIion ~ tho Metro
Doliian Museum Of Art New Yorl
City. the iargo1t and most compIso