Government and a free fighting-ground for their tribes.[1] In 1834 the Government made a spasmodic effort to assert itself here, and for a time succeeded. That is to say, it sent an army and hanged everyone they met, till it got tired of it. This is an excellent proceeding and does much good as far as it goes. But they never hang quite everyone. So when the army has gone back, crowned with victory, the old state of things begins again just as before. The victorious arms of Rashīd Pasha in 1834 did no good to the harmless Nestorians; but the fuss about pacifying Kurdistan again called the attention of foreign consuls to their piteous state. So begins an invasion of Kurdistan by Protestant missionaries of various sects, who build schools and hospitals, set up printing-presses and Bible-classes. Let it be said at once that these Protestants have, all things considered, done immense good to the poor little forsaken sect. Apart from religious questions, they have at any rate taught and educated, they have nursed the sick and distributed books; in short, they have civilized considerably. One result of their work is that numbers of Nestorians can read and write. They learn Persian and Turkish, some English, so that not a few sail away to make their fortune in America.
Mr. Joseph Wolff from England came about 1820 and secured a copy of the Syriac New Testament. He brought this back; it was printed by the British Bible Association in 1827 and distributed in great numbers around Urmi. But among organized missions the American Presbyterians were first in the field.[2] In 1830 their Board of Missions sent two men, Messrs Smith and Davies, who brought back a favourable report. Dr. Julius Perkins opened a mission in 1834; in 1835 Dr. Asahel Grant joined him. This American mission has large buildings at Urmi; men and women work here among the natives. They have doctors and a printing-press. Meanwhile no less interest was aroused in England. Mr. Ainsworth travelled about among the Nestorians
- ↑ It may be noted that this is the normal state of the Turkish Empire. All its more mountainous and wilder parts are practically independent and at the mercy of the strongest tribe which dwells there. The authority of the Government obtains in the towns where there is a garrison, and as far round as the energy of the local Wali cares to enforce it. If he neglects his duty (most Walis do), there may be anarchy within sight of the gates.
- ↑ Except, of course, the Catholics, who had been there for centuries.
