p. 6 | The Persian Traveler by John Todd

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1866

The Persian Traveler.

By John Todd

THE Persian traveler came to our country to see "the new world," as he had heard it called. On his arrival, instead of finding a few huts, with thatched roofs, as he expected, he found a great rich city, the largest he had ever seen. The great ships lay at the wharves, the tall masts looked like a forest, and the harbor was full of shipping of all kinds. So he landed, and went to the hotels, and traveled through the different States, saw the farms, the factories, the schools, and the benevolent institutions, such as hospitals, asylums, and the like. At length he reached Washington. Congress and the Senate were about to adjourn. Among other things, he felt very anxious to see the President of the United States. A friend walked with him to the White House, and introduced him.

"Well," said the President, after the compliments of the introduction, "what do you think of our country?"

"Sir, I have no words to express my wonder."

"Will you please explain yourself?"

"Why, sir, on my arrival they carried me to a magnificent palace, which they call a hotel. We have no palace in Persia so large. When I came to travel, instead of riding a donkey or a hired horse, and moving at the rate of twenty miles a day, they put me into a beautiful house, and whirled me off three hundred miles a day. Then I said, why, their very caravans are better off than our richest citizens are at the homes which have taken generations to adorn. Then, sir, they took me to a great palace-looking building, where hundreds of blind people were gathered together, and where they read with their fingers, and where they made sweet music, and were very happy. Oh! I said, the very blind

in this land are better off than those who have eyes in my country! Then they took me to another such place, where those were gathered together who could not hear or speak; but they could read and write anything, and could talk with their fingers by making signs! Ah! these in this country, who are born dumb, are better off than those in my country who can hear with both ears. No ears and no eyes are here better than two ears and two eyes at home! Then, Mr. President, I came to Washington. To my amazement I found no army here, nobody guard for the chief magistrate of this great nation. I hear that you, sir, was up at the Capitol last evening till after midnight, signing the bills which Congress passed, and then, in the dark, you walked quietly home alone, without a guard, or anybody to defend you! I see no army in all the States where I have been; and one live governor of a great State I actually found out with his Irishman planting potatoes! Sir, to one who has been born and brought up where armies and swords are everywhere, this state of things has amazed me beyond expression!"

"Do you like it?"

"Oh, more than I can describe to you."

"How do you account for it?"

"Sir, there is only one answer to that question. Your land is governed by the Bible, mine by the sword! Your Bible has done ten-fold more for you in a few centuries, than the sword has done for us for ages. Here, you don't see the law, you don't hear it. It is a sort of thing that seems to dwell in the air, out of sight, but it comes down the moment it is called. With my country, law is made material, it is in armies and guns, and guards. It is like wearing a heavy iron mail shirt, instead of the loose cotton shirt. Your Bible has made schools, and colleges, and institutions of learning—our sword never reared a school-house in all Persia. Your Bible makes readers, and so you have papers, and magazines, and books, and a reading, thinking nation. Our sword makes no readers, no thinkers, no teachers of good things. O sir, there is no department of life in which we are not centuries behind you. I find that your people don't know what has made this nation what it is; but it is plain to me. And now, sir, I beg your pardon for talking so long, and telling you what you know. But you were so good as to ask my opinion, and I could not give it in fewer words. May you, sir, live twelve thousand moons, and your country live as long as the sun and moon endure. I thank you, Mr. President, for the light of your face, and that I may go home telling my countrymen that great position and high office never look so majestic, as in their naked simplicity."

The President and traveler both arose, shook hands, smiled, made each a low bow, and the traveler went on his way. The President was heard to say to himself, "The fellow is right!"—John Todd, D. D.