The Washington times., 1918-08-18

ter VIII, we read that while the Apostle
Philip was preaching there came to him
"a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great
authority under Candace, Queen of the
Ethiopians, who had charge of all her
treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for
to worship"
The Bible tells us that this man listened
to the teaching of the Gospel and went on
his way rejoicing" With the help of
Queen Candace he founded the Christian
church in Ethiopia, or Abyssinia, in the
very lifetime of the first Apostles. It has
existed there ever since, in spite of ages
of change and the rise of Mohammedanism
in Asia and Africa.
And now, as to recent occurrences in
this picturesque land. Abyssinia was
thrown into a state of convulsion at the
very beginning Of the European war.
About that time the Emperor Menelek,
who had governed Abyssinia with a sue
cess unknown among native African rulers,
died. His death was concealed for sew
eral months, because it was felt that no
one could fill his place successfully, but
finally it was necessary to let the people
know the truth.
His widow, the notorious Empress
Taitou who had had ten husband and lost
all but Menelek by violent deaths, endeav-
ored to grasp the supreme power. Her
career did not recommend her as a safe
person to the most influential chiefs of
Abyssnia, and after a brief struggle the
h. hol h,-
vigor. was overcome and placed in con-
vent
The outbreak of internal strife gave the
Germans an opportunity of interfering, ac-
cording to the policy they have followed
in all parts of the world. The nearest
heir to the throne was young boy, named
Lidj Yeassu, grandson of Emperor Meme
lex and son of his oldest daughter and
her husband, Ras Mikail He was hastily
crowned Emperor as soon as the Taitou
disturbances had been suppressed.
Now, although Abyssinia is mainly Chris
tian, a certain section is Mohammedan,
which is not surprising, as the country has
always been in close contact with the
great centres of Mohammedanism. Ras
NIikail happened to be chief of territory
that was largely Mohammedan.
The Germans with the help of Turks
and other Mohammedan agents. planned to
take advantage of this fact and turn the
country into non-Christian, pro-German,
Mohammedan stronghold. German money
was spent freely in promoting strife.
Leaflets printed in the native tongue
were circulated by the German agents. de-
claring that England, France and Italy
were in league to destroy the independence
of the country and divide it between them.
This lie gained credence among many
Abyssinians the more easily because of the
fierce struggle they had had with Italy in
recent years.
The German propaganda progressed
famously for a time. Christians we're
driven out of public offices and murdered
and Mohammedans appointed in their
places. The representatives of the En-
tente Allies and the United States were
insuted and threatened, and the Germans
and Turkish agents became the favorite
advisers of the court. A new war against
Italy was threatened.
Finally, the misguided young Emperor,
Lidj Yeassu, under the influence OF his
German and Turkish advisers, publicly an
nounced that he had become a Moham-
medan, and that henceforth Moham-
mechanism would be the national religion
of Abyssinia, the oldest Christian country
in the world. The Emperor's name,
"YeassU," by the way, means Jesus" At
about the same time Lidj Yeassu removed