Evening star., 1922-07-16
j. S. HEROINE BACK
FROM JERUSALEM
26 Years. Service in Holy
Land Completed by
Mrs. veSter.

Returning to her native country
with her husband, after twenty-sjN
years of continuous service for the
cause of humanity. as one of the
Jerusalem, Mrs Frederick Vester
arrived in Washington last week
bringing a thrilling story of heroism
of the small band of Americans in
the face of Turkish rule and aggres-
sion. She was accompanied to this
city by her husband and three older
children. the party stopping at the
Raleigh Hotel.
The tale begins with the founding
OF the colony. in 1881. in Jerusalem
by Mrs. Vester's parents. after
tragedy had led them to devote thci;
lives for the welfare of others. cen
ters about the rule of terror exercised
by the Moslems, and reaches its ell
max with the passing of Jerusalem
from the hands of the Turks to those
OF the British in 1919.
The group of ninety Americans
composing the band of workers. 90
not wish to be called missionaries.
The colony was founded by Horatio
G. Spafford of Chicago. famous hymn
writer, and his young wife. following
the loss at sea of the couples -four
small daughters in mid-Atlantic
shipwreck. Mrs. Spafford was res
cued and taken to Paris. where she
awaited the arrival by steamship of
opAIIOTQ, VINO naQ seen mis- Family
j on at the dock few days before
1t was while crossing the ocean to
| meet his wife that Spafford composed
| the well known hymn. 1T is Well With
My Soul" The couple resigned them
selves to the idea that God had spared
| them for service to humanity. Attracted
by the burdens being borne in Palestine
by the Jews. Turks and Arabs. some
years later Mr.. and Mrs. Spafford Went
to Jerusalem with small group OF
friends similarly inclined and there es-
tablished the American colony
Mrs. Vester, then two years old. was
rea red in this atmosphere of sacrifice
and she remained there when she be-
came old enough to dedicate herself to
the task 1t was there that she married
sionary, himself born in Jerusalem, and
it was there that the couple brought up
their six children.
The colony suffered innumerabe
hardships during this long period, but
all previous adventures were over
shadowed by the whirl into which Jeru-
salem was plunged with the advent Of
the world war. At the first outbreak
in 1913, the American consul advised
the members of the colony to leave the
city, warning them against impending
horrors Of Turkish defense or retreat
They determined that it was their duty
to remain and assist the sufferers.
Siege OF Jerusalem.
With the siege of the city of Jeru-
salem by the British. the Vesters
went to D'Jamal Pasha, minister OF
marine. in supreme charge of the
Turkish defense, and offered to assist
in the care of wounded. Surprised
at such an offer from Christians. the
pasha gIavely informed Mr.. and Mrs
vester that he had also just received
word that America had broken OF
relations with Turkey. The couple
. replied that 1T was simply thet- de-
sire to nurse human beings, regard
less Of faith or affiliation. and the
pasha, still wondering, accord%1gly
gave the necessary permission.
A hospital was turned over to the
Christian workers, and even wounded
their care. Later came a sudden or
der to evacuate the hospital and de
port the American colony. Conster-
nation reigned until pleas prevailed
and the order was modified several
times SO that finally only the Amer
to leave the city. Delays and posi-
ponements in carrying out this d.
portation decree. however. resulted
favorably for those affected, ana
| they never were bothered.
Jerusalem by this time had become
a center of bombardment by the Brit
| ish. Turkish officials came to Mrs.
Vester and instructed her to prepare
all the British prisoners and Turkish
wounded for transportation away
from the fighting. Begged by the
prisoners not to allow them to be
sent away, the Vesters hid them all
| in the confines Of the colony, to the
great peril of all concerned
Shortly after this ruse Turkish
official appeared at Mrs. Vester's
house. seated himself in the parIor
and began. Madam" Mrs. Vester
was certain that the prisoners had
been discovered. Madam" the Turk
went on. Jerusalem is slipping from
our hands. Tonight we retreat
come to thank you for what you have
done, not for us or for our enemies.
i but for God"
The following morning Brig. Gen.
Watson, Maj Gen. Shea and the other
British commanders entered the city
and were met in front of the pos,
ONCE by the mayor of Jerusalem. who
formally capitulated. Gen. Allenby
entered two. days later. on Decem-
Der II.
Postwar prosperity has engulfed
/ the old metropolis under British rule.
according to Mr., and Mrs. vester, ard
| Il was during this respite from the
past years Of arduous duties that
they took the opportunity to return
to Mrs. vester's native land. They
Will 20 back to re5oin the colony
within . few months.