Justice ordained it; mercy then Made it more light to bear. Unasked by thee, Christ sweetened it, His love infusing there. From heaven’s height He hastened down, Pitying thy trouble sore; With thee a servant He became Himself thy wounds he bore. He filled His cup celestial Full of thy tears and pain, And tremblingly, yet freely, He dared the dregs to drain. Remembering this, wilt thou not drink Thy cup of tears and care? ’Tis proffered by thy Saviour’s hand, His love is mingled there. He feels and pities all thy woes, He wipes away each tear; Love He distils into thy griefs; Weep not, for He is near. Blackwell, “Armenian Poems,” pp. 112-114. FOOTNOTES: [69] The total number of Armenians was estimated by some as follows: 2,900,000. In Turkey 1,500,000; in Russia 1,000,000; in Persia 150,000; in Europe, America, and East Indies 250,000. But this is quite a low estimate. (See p. 146.) [70] Ecclesiastes 10:18. Prov. 19:13 and 27:15. [71] Lynch, “Armenia, Travels and Studies,” Vol. I, p. 60. [72] Wigram, “The Cradle of Mankind,” p. 237. [73] Rawlinson, “Herodotus,” Book I, p. 194. [74] Ezekiel 27:14. [75] Milner, “The Turkish Empire,” p. 264. The date possibly is the Armenian which begins 551, and which brings up to A.D. 1748. About this time, two wealthy and influential Armenians, who were especially connected with the government, were beheaded, and four others, who also were holders of high places in the governmental affairs, were executed in 1817. [76] The Turkish government promulgated a decree, on August 12, 1916, which revokes the Constitution of the Armenian community in Turkey, and creates an ecclesiastical head for the administration of religious matters with his seat in Jerusalem, thus abolishing the office of Armenian patriarch in Constantinople. [77] Encyclopedia Britannica, the 11th ed., under the article, “The Armenian Language.” [78] Van Lennep, “The Bible Lands,” p. 367. [79] Lamartine, “Voyage en Orient,” Vol. II, p. 190. [80] Greene, “The Armenian Crisis in Turkey,” p. 140. [81] The Mukhitarists also have translated from the Greek, French and English classics. The writer read Milton’s “Paradise Lost” first in Armenian translated by the fathers of Mukhitar’s order. [82] See Chapter X, pp. 122 and 123. IX THE REFORMED CHURCH It has seemed to the writer unnecessary in the preceding pages to say much about the unimportant ceremonies, forms and certain superstitious practices which have crept into the Armenian church. But it has been admitted that, owing to various causes and corrupt influences of both so called Christian and non-Christian nations about them, the Armenians were unable to preserve the noble apostolic Church in its simplicity and purity.