History of the missions of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions to the oriental churches, Volume II.Anderson, Rufus
Religion
History of the missions of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions to the oriental churches, Volume II.
Anderson, Rufus
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; Missions -- Eastern churches
"Through the favor of our heavenly Father, I have made a journey
into these mountains, rejoicing in the opportunity to labor for my
people. I am very happy that my father and friends brought me on my
way in willingness of soul. From the day that I left my own country,
in every place that I have entered, until now, my heart has been
excited to praise my Guide and my Deliverer, and I have also been
grateful to my teachers, who brought me to labor in a desolate
vineyard joyfully; I, who am so weak, and such a great sinner. In
all the various circumstances through which I have passed, your
counsels have been of great benefit to me.
"I think you will be glad to know, that the gospel door is wide open
here. You and your friends will pray, that the Lord of the harvest
would send forth laborers into his harvest.
"We left Oroomiah, May 6th, and on May 8th we reached Memikan, and
remained there three days. It was our first Sabbath in the
mountains, and I met that company of women, for whom our departed
Mrs. Rhea used to labor. May 12th we left Memikan, and went up to
the tops of the snowy mountains of Gawar. The cold was such that we
were obliged to wrap our faces and our hands as we would in January.
As we descended the mountain, we found it about as warm as February.
That night we spent in the deep valley of Ishtazin, in the village
of Boobawa, where Yohanan and Guly dwell. The people here are very
wild and hard. Yohanan and Guly were not here, having gone to visit
Khananis. Only a few came together for preaching. The people said,
'Yohanan preaches, and we revile.' May 13th, we left Boobawa, and
soon crossed the river. Men had gone before us, and were lying in
wait there. They stripped us, but afterwards of themselves became
sorry, and returned our things. As we were going along this
wonderful, fearful river, and beheld the mountains on either side
covered with beautiful forests, we remembered Mr. Rhea, the composer
of the hymn, 'Valley of Ishtazin.' And when filled with wonder at
the works of the Great Creator, we all, with one voice, praised him
in songs of joy fitting for the mountains. Here the brethren
reminded me, that our dear Miss Fiske had trodden these fearful
precipices. This greatly encouraged me in my journey. This day we
went into many villages, and over many ascents and descents. At
evening we reached Jeloo, and remained over night in the pleasant
village of Zeer, which lies in a valley made beautiful by forests
and a river passing through it. They showed great hospitality here,
and were eager to receive the word of the Lord. May 14th, we left
Zeer, and went to Bass. It was Saturday night, and we remained over
the Sabbath in the village of Nerik. I shall always have a pleasant
remembrance of the Sabbath we passed there. From the first moment
that we went in till Monday morning, we were never alone, so many
were assembling to hear the words of the Lord. With tearful eyes and
burning hearts, they were inquiring for the way of salvation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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