Woman and Her Saviour in Persia: By a Returned MissionaryLaurie, Thomas
History
Woman and Her Saviour in Persia: By a Returned Missionary
Laurie, Thomas
Church of the East -- Missions; Missions -- Iran; Women missionaries
RAHEEL.
MARTA.
The writer of the following was at that time a teacher in the Seminary,
and a striking illustration of the elevating power of a good education.
Formerly a female who was either lame or deformed was so despised, that
she could never hope to be the head of a family: she was doomed to drag
through a miserable life, the object of universal neglect. But Hoshebo,
though a fall in early youth had shattered her ankle, and the ignorance
of native surgeons made her a cripple for life, yet because of her
education was as much esteemed as before she would have been despised,
and is now the wife of Meerza, our native helper at Saralon. Miss Fiske
might have filled up her school with such, but, with a wise foresight,
selected her pupils with an eye to their future usefulness among the
people, as well as their own personal advantage.
When I understood from Miss Rice, that you would not meet your loved
flock next Sabbath, I felt that I could not let all your absence pass
without giving you an account of my charge. I have been sitting with
them, as I do every Saturday evening, to search out their spiritual
state; and I have good news to tell you of one for whom you, and also
others, have been very anxious--Esli, of Takka. I noticed her changed
all this week; but last night I saw a great breaking down under Mr.
Cochran's preaching. She came out in anguish of soul. I then saw her
alone, and found her contrition still increasing. I know this is not
evidence that she has passed from death unto life; but I rejoice that
she is visited by the Holy Spirit, and I trust she will become a
Christian. I am anxious for her and for all the girls of my room. I
look for the gentle shower that shall make the withered plants like the
fresh springing grass. Though you are absent, we know well that you
carry every one of your flock in the arms of love to Him who can do all
things, whether you are far away or near to us. The girls send up many
petitions for Harriette. We fear much when we recall your former going
to Seir. How glad should we be to hear of indications that she will
recover. Peace and love to Mrs. Stoddard.
Your affectionate
HOSHEBO.
More than a year after this, Miss Fiske left Oroomiah, and at Salmas,
on her way home, met her dear pupil Sanum, the wife of Joseph. Having
no other place for devotion, they retired together to an orchard for
the parting prayer. In a subsequent letter, Sanum thus beautifully
alludes to it:--
"O, the remembrance of that bitter separation! and of those prayers,
when the green grass was watered with our tears! How could I have borne
it, but for the recollection of Him who prayed and wept in the garden
of Gethsemane, and whose kneeling upon the tender grass was for the
comfort of our souls!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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