JOTTINGS FROM THE EAST.
By H. P. H.
When journeying to Constantinople, one day was spent on the Danube, between Roumania on the north and Servia and Bulgaria on the south; and one day at Rustchuk, a chief river town of Bulgaria. This region was the seat of hostilities in the European part of the last war between Russia and Turkey. The principalities in this region, called the Balkan states (from the Balkan Mountains), so long under Turkish rule, are now wholly or partly independent. Servia, Roumania, and Bulgaria are fertile lands, with sufficient resources to make rich nations. But under bad administration these nations have been impoverished and degraded. When Bulgaria was freed and left to govern itself, its commerce was in a poor state, the country impoverished, and the people ignorant. This people, some five millions in number, were not accustomed to govern, and, being suddenly given full liberty without the knowledge of how to use it, their state was quite as critical as before. But, gradually, they are recovering and improving their national and domestic condition. While Bulgaria is coming up and in time might build up a strong state, she has little hope of long maintaining her independence. Her geographical position forbids it. She is surrounded by great nations, and expects sooner or later to be swallowed up by one of them. Her language being of the same branch and her religion the same as those of Russia, would naturally lead Bulgaria to incline to Russia. Russia is not insensible to these advantages in her favor, and makes due use of them. A ride through Bulgaria gives the impression that it is a most desirable land. Grain fields, pasture lands, and vineyards are abundant. Having harbors on the Black Sea, and being connected with Central Europe by the Danube and railways, Bulgaria possesses great possibilities. Bulgaria’s freedom is really the cause of the recent troubles in Macedonia. There are several million Bulgarians there; seeing their brethren enjoying liberty creates in them a desire for the same; and their recent agitations were in the hope that they might thereby involve the interference of the powers, and thus secure freedom from the Turkish yoke. As the powers are just now wrought up and taking Turkey to task because of the Armenian troubles, these Macedonian Bulgarians thought that their supreme moment had come; but their rioting has been put down by Turkish troops, and so for the moment they have gained nothing. But it is asserted that they will never stop short of liberty; they are ready to spring at the first opportunity. With such elements in the west and the Armenians in the east constantly brewing difficulties, and the great powers standing by dictating to her how she shall settle these difficulties, the position of Turkey is not an enviable one. On the one hand, it is a wonder that Turkey does not become exasperated and make a desperate effort for independence or death; and, on the other hand, it is still more marvelous how the powers of Europe can so long dally with the Eastern Question. On this question the Bible furnishes the only satisfactory solution. The Lord has commissioned angels to hold the winds of strife till his servants are sealed. When that work is finished, and the angels no longer hold the winds, we shall behold what men can now see must be the outcome of the present situation,—the closing out of Turkey, and a general strife among the powers for her territory. As to how soon this may take place is a matter of speculation. When the work of the Gospel is finished10in the earth, the Lord will come; and as we know not in advance when that event will take place, so we can not tell in advance when the angels will cease holding the winds. So far as the Eastern Question is concerned, everything has been ready for years, and now seems beyond the point of waiting much longer. The moment God’s work is accomplished, the fatal and final struggle will begin. As that time seems very near, and everything in the world is ready for its part, the supreme question for every Christian should be, Am I ready for my part? Constantinople, September 30.