ABYSSINIA

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 13, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 28.

The region now included under the common name Abyssinia has been called, most appropriately, the “Switzerland” of Africa. It consists, for the most part, of a mountainous plateau, averaging 10,000 feet above sea-level, precipitous on the east, and falling away more gradually in other directions, everywhere being intersected by profound ravines, and dominated by lofty, snow-capped peaks. A desert, stretching from the Red Sea to the base of the mountains, still further isolates this Alpine region. Abyssinia, made up of the various provinces of Tigré, Lasta, Amhara, Gojam, Shoa, and adjoining lands, covers 244,000 square miles (a little larger than France). The average climate on this lofty plateau is delightfully temperate, the depths of the ravines being thoroughly tropical, while the higher mountain shoulders are decidedly Arctic. The soil is fertile, and supports a great variety of vegetable and animal life. Rich mines of great variety abound, and the country furnishes every necessity for a highly-developed civilization.

The people of Abyssinia, numbering from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000, are much superior in every respect to their African neighbors. As indicated by the Arabic designation, Habash, the population is “mixed.” The racial element that predominates is doubtless Turanian, and not dissimilar to the Egyptian, but with a considerable infusion of negro blood. However, since historic times the Semites, originally immigrants from the Arabian peninsula, have had political ascendency, and have imposed upon the country, for the most part, their language, laws, and religion. There are 70,000 Falashas who were converted at an early date by Jewish missionaries, and still practise the Jewish rites. The Abyssinians are a tall, athletic, bold race, with keen intellects, polite in ordinary intercourse, yet with savage outbursts of brutality. As they are the only “Christian” nation in Africa, so they are the only savage Christian race in the world. All indications point us to the conclusion that the Ethiopians were once a mighty race of conquerors, a constant menace to ancient Egypt, and holding the gateway of commerce for all central and southern Africa. Since historic times internal discord and powerful enemies without have weakened their power, and hedged them in their mountain retreats. For centuries the devotees of Islam have swarmed about the base of this isolated plateau, occasionally successful in penetrating the desolate ravines, but eventually being driven back to reform their ranks, and prepare for another raid.

Abyssinia has been called the first and only mission field of the Coptic Church. It was “converted” to the Christian faith early in the fourth century.

In 1490 A.D., the Abyssinian Christians were rediscovered by the naval officers of John II., of Portugal, who had sailed all the way around Southern Africa. The Christian world thought that at last the famous “Prester John” was found away up in the Abyssinian Mountains. The king of Portugal sent Petro Cavilham, the Jesuit, to push the interests of Portugal in Africa. This interference was resented. The Abyssinians came to blows with the Portuguese soldiers, who worked under orders from the Jesuits. At one time these zealous churchmen were victorious, and 8,000 enemies lay dead upon the battlefield. As the young Abyssinian Prince Facilidas, whom the Jesuits had half won over, walked through the heaps of slain, he is reported to have come to this conclusion: “A religion which causes so much bloodshed can not be good. We had better, tho victorious, return to the faith of the conquered, and remain faithful as they were.” When he became king he expelled the Jesuits, and all further attempts on their part to get a footing in the country failed. The attempt, in 1621, when the Jesuits installed a patriarch in Abyssinia, was especially disastrous. Over a century later (1750–1754) a third attempt was unsuccessful.

In 1830 Bishop Gobat and Mr. Kugler were sent on a mission to Abyssinia by the Church Missionary Society. The work began with bright prospects. Bishop Gobat travelled extensively, and learned the Amharic, the common language of the people, a dialect of the ancient Ethiopic, which, tho still used in church services, has become a dead language, even to many of the priests who go through the ceremonies. Bishop Gobat broke down in health, and had to leave the country. Mr. Kugler died. Later, Mr. Isenberg and Dr. Krapf took up the work. The Jesuit cloud again appeared on the horizon in the shape of Sapeto, who was sent out by the Propaganda. His intrigues aroused the old suspicions of foreign interference, and all foreigners were expelled from the country in 1838. Krapf and Isenberg went to Shoa, and were received in a kindly manner by the king. There they compiled an Amharic dictionary, as well as a geography and prayer-book. Before this the Bible had been translated at Cairo, in 1808, into Amharic by an Abyssinian monk, Abu Rumi, assisted by the French Consul Asseline. In 1840 the manuscript was bought and revised by the British and Foreign Bible Society.—Cyclopædia of Missions.