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النشر الإلكتروني

282

EZEKIEL'S VISION.

gather around. He is in the employ of the missionaries, and teaches school in his own house; is a pleasant-looking man with a black beard.

"The situation of the village is beautiful, on a little mound, near a stream of water, overlooking the plain. The sunset scene is lovely from the house-top, the deep, golden light in the west, and the rosy tint resting on the snow-capped mountains, and the whole landscape stretching before me of unusual beauty. The river Kabour flows through, and here doubtless the Prophet Ezekiel saw his sublime visions of Jehovah most high. In the evening fifteen or sixteen of the Nestorians gather in the room of the Kahyah, seated on their knees in a circle, and we speak to them of Christ and the Gospel of salvation. They listen with deep attention. They then tell us of the oppression of the Moslems. There are twenty-two men, and they pay one-tenth of their grain, 1332 piastres tax, and soldiers are quartered upon them, from two to twenty every night without pay, and as it is on the high road, it is a serious grievance. Every forty-four Christians must pay 5000 piastres for one soldier.

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แ Sleep in the same room with our horses, three apartments, harem, male sleeping-room, and stable. The sunrise view from the house-top is magnifi

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cent, over the eastern mountains. Yonder comes the powerful king of day rejoicing in the East. What golden glory gilds his chariot wheels, shedding over the snow-crowned mountain tops. We ride on two hours over the plain, have another gazelle chase, and then we come in sight of the Tigris again. It comes flowing down with a whirling, eddying current. We ride two hours beside the river, and lunch in view of the blue mountains, stretching far in the distance. Soon we come upon an eminence near the Tigris, to the castle and minarets of Jesireh, and then in two hours along the river-side, we arrive at Mansoira, a Nestorian village of 300 population. It commands a fine view of the river, the mountains, and the plain around. The Kahyah comes out on foot to receive us, and politely kisses our hand. He quarters us in a spacious native house, with two large rooms, and a stable attached, separated by a hall. Here we expatiate in grand style, much entertained by the habits of the natives, baking in a round oven; a young girl of sixteen pounding bulgoar in a stone mortar, with a huge mallet. They gather in our room in the evening; have no Bibles or Testaments in the village. A Koordish chief, Ezdesher Bey, came and plundered the village, and carried away all their Testaments and religious books.

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"SABBATH, Nov. 30, 1856. "Mansoria, a Nestorian village. A clear and cloudless morning. Have a splendid view over the river, and the hills round about from the house-top. The priest calls to see us, a pleasant, amiable man. Present him with a copy of the Ingil in Chaldean and Syriac. reads and explains it to him. good and he receives it with much gratitude and thankfulness.

Shemmas Eremiah
He says it is very

"Then we assemble the villagers in the church with the priest, and give them the open Gospel, and tell them to read it, and follow its teachings to guide them to heaven. Tell them to believe the Bible, have faith in Christ, and pray for the Holy Spirit to dwell in their hearts and sanctify them unto everlasting life. They pay most devout attention and frequently respond 'Yes, yes, it is

true.'

"It is most interesting to preach to these poor, oppressed Christians, who believe in Christ, on the banks of the ancient Tigris. Entreat them to pray that Moslems, Nestorians, Jacobites, Yezidees, all may receive the same Gospel and become brothers together in Christ Jesus. The dress of the women; white head-dress, loose robe, long braid to the hair, bracelets and beads on their arms, and anklets on their feet, and many silver coins on their head and neck. The men wear a

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conical felt cap, bound around with a red figured turban. In the afternoon they came to the Hakem for medicine, and are very friendly. At sunset see the ground where the great battle between Beder Khan Bey and Reschid Pasha was fought. A Koordish chief, who plundered the Christian villages, and was taken captive by the Turks, is now a prisoner in the island of Crete.

"Also look over to Mount Judy, where Noah's ark is said to have rested, a high mountain, covered with snow. Beyond, near Elkosh, is Am Sifna where tradition relates that Noah built his ark.

"In the evening the priest comes from Shah, the bishop feared to come because he thought we might make him Catholic or Protestant. Isaac, the teacher, comes with him, who has been instructed in Oroomiah by Mr. Stoddard; give to Isaac a Testament to carry to Maraha, a Nestorian village, two hours distant, about 150 population, fifteen can read; they very much desire a Bible, send also a Bible and Gospel by the Priest Isaiah to the Nestorian bishop, Mar Joseph, at Shah, a village six hours distant, 200 population; send also a letter to testify that American Christians love much the Nestorians and desire them all to receive the Bible and Gospel of salvation. We dine upon a young kid of a goat. A girl sits at the outer door with a dish of porridge in her hand

286

NESTORIAN PRAYERS.

to give some from a spoon to all the poor who come to receive it. Shemmas Eremiah is very entertaining in conversation. Koordish proverb, 'If he see me I am friend, if he not see me I am thief.' Nestorian prayer in church, glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men, then the Lord's Prayer. Cry from the minaret, Alla hou achbar, twice repeated, Allah la il Allah, etc. The Catholics come in the evening and we preach the truth to them.

MONDAY, Dec. 1. "Attend the Nestorian prayer in the morning before sunrise. The priest alone, in a dark room, repeats them from memory; two prayers and five or six psalms. He can repeat all the Psalms by heart. One old woman comes, none of the people. We ride to Jesireh, have much detention in crossing the river; find there a new Moodir, Sadik Agha, a fine-looking, energetic man, who receives us with much politeness. The Medghis come in, Cadi, and various dignitaries, ten in number; 2,000 population, 1,500 Moslems, 500 Christians.

"Meet with Lord Henry Ker, of the English embassy to Persia, travelling by post, and bearer of despatches to Diarbekir and Aleppo. He dines with us in Anglo-Turkish style. We then bid farewell to our friends, Shemmas and the Doctor, and ride in company with his Lordship two hours upon the road. He is a very affable and pleasant

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