American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Congregational House, 1 Somerset Street,

Boston, Sept. 23, 1897.

Mr. Ellsworth Huntington,

Milton, Mass.

My dear Mr. Huntington:-

I have received this morning a letter from Prof. Bacon which is very gratifying indeed and makes me feel that you possess qualifications which have already stood the test and which will be equal to the demands put upon you in Turkey. I write you this letter at once in order that your mind may be set at rest, although I have not yet discussed with various members of the Corporation for Euphrates College, under whose direction you will work. I have no doubt as to what their conclusion will be. Mr. Moore writes that the money will be forthcoming for your support there and for your passage. It is safe, I think, for you to make preparation for going.

Mrs. Chambers who is returning to her missionary work at Erzroom will probably sail in the first half of October - possibly not earlier than the 11th or 12th and perhaps a little later. It is important that she have some gentleman with her to help her along so that we should want you to go in company with her, although you would not necessarily be tied to her but could look after things for her. A young lady by the name of Miss Dickie, of Canada, who is engaged to Mr. Ashdown at present in Bitlis, also wishes to go at the same time. She would probably meet your party in England.

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You would continue with this party only to Samsoon on the southern
shore of the Black Sea, probably.

I will write you again when dates are fixed and also after
I have consulted with other members of the Corporation as to whether
sending you out has their hearty co-operation.

Boston, Sept. 29, 1897.

Mr. Ellsworth Huntington,

Milton, Mass.

My dear Mr. Huntington:-

In accordance with the conversation which I had with your father here at my room, I have now talked with the majority of the members of the Corporation of Euphrates College and without exception they heartily approve of your going to Harpoot as an assistant to Dr. Gates. As I told your father and you, your going is not official on their part but you go at the invitation of the President of the College seconded by the Trustees on the ground, and your support is guaranteed by friends in this country. My relations with you are that of secretary of the Board of Trustees of the College. I have no question whatever that the money will be furnished for your support there at the rate of about $400 a year and that your expenses from here to Harpoot and your return expenses at the end of three years will be met without any difficulty. In fact some of the trustees pledged financial aid in this matter, if their aid in necessary.

You will meet with a hearty welcome on the part of the missionaries at Harpoot who are the local trustees for the College. I cannot yet announce the definite arrangements for your sailing but it will probably be within two weeks. Just as soon as the

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matter is settled I will communicate with you.

I think of nothing farther to add this morning to what
was said to your father in the recent interview. I shall be glad
to see you or your father at any time if there are questions which
you wish to ask. As to route across Europe, I will communicate
later.

Boston,

Dec. 14, 1897.

Rev. Henry S. Huntington,

Milton, Mass.

My dear Mr. Huntington:-

I was very sorry not to see you when you called at my room yesterday and also some time ago. I should like very much to hear of the last news which you have received from Ellsworth. My last report was from Harpoot stating that they had received a telegram from him announcing his departure from Marsovan. I want to say that his travelling companions on the way and Mr. Chambers from Constantinople speak in highest terms of him. He won the everlasting friendship of Mrs. Chambers by his thoughtful care of her and the children. It was no small task for a young man to start out in that way with a party of ladies and children to look after. It is sometimes all a veteran missionary wishes to undertake. Your son has played the part of a veteran and has done it well.

The letters which came from Harpoot after they received word that Ellsworth was coming to the relief of the college are exceedingly interesting. Relief began at once upon receipt of the letters. President Gates is planning to pass over important parts of the work to him. The courage and strength which he will cary to the station so much overburdened will be to them almost an inspiration.

Boston, Dec. 28, 1897.

My dear Mr. Huntington:—

I have just received news from Harpoot that Ellsworth arrived about four o'clock on Thanksgiving day just in time for the Thanksgiving dinner. Undoubtedly you have already learned these things from him, but I want to quote to you from some of the letters received that you may know what impression he has made upon that station.

Dr. Barnum writing Dec. 2nd after Ellsworth had been there seven days, says, "Mr. Huntington is all right. He seems to be just the man for the place. He is a good scholar, dignified and ready for work. He is already teaching".

Dr. Gates writing Dec. 1st, says, "Mr. Huntington has taken hold at once and is giving me immense relief. We like him very much".

Mr. Browne under the same date says, "Mr. Huntington heartily approves himself to us all as an earnest though quiet, level headed, scholarly, Christian gentleman, and Dr. Gates seems to take to him greatly. You have rendered the college and so us all a great service in sending him out".

I am sure you will be pleased to receive these statements from the Harpoot missionaries to whose assistance Ellsworth has gone. I feel great satisfaction in knowing that he is there and helping to lift the burden from the shoulders of those who have