Slow Mail Delays Missionary Replies in Turkey
We hear and are wont to say much about the wonderful improvements of our time, especially in the matter of speedy communication. But there are many parts of the world where the ancient slow-coach is in vogue. This is particularly true of the interior of oriental countries. Dr. Tracy, a missionary at Marsovan, Asiatic Turkey, reminds his friends of the situation in the following statement:— “Many friends lose patience with us missionaries because of our tardy answers to inquiries and requests. Again and again we are asked for letters, information, reports, articles for publication, a certain date being named before which they must be on hand. Very often the date named is already past when the letter reaches us. It seems impossible for friends to remember that it requires at least seven or eight, and, on account of bad connections, quarantines, irregular mails, and what not, much oftener ten or twelve weeks to get an answer to such a letter. Let our friends keep in mind that they must allow a space of three months between the date of their writing and the time when the answer is required. This pertains to stations in the interior of Turkey.”