SKETCHES FROM THE ORIENT.
By H. P. H.
AFTER a short visit in Cilicia we came by steamer from Mersina across the bay of Iskanderoon, the northeastern extremity of the Mediterranean, to Alexandrette, or Iskanderoon, as it is called in Turkish. This town, a view of which is given in the accompanying illustration, is hemmed in by mountains, which rise quite precipitously from the sea. It was founded in memory of the passage of Alexander the Great on his famous campaign into Egypt, Persia, and India. A short distance above Alexandrette is Issus, the point where Alexander first met Darius. It is here that the great conqueror with a comparatively small army met and completely routed the Persians, whose army numbered 600,000. Where the battle was fought there is but little more space between the mountains and the sea than at the point shown in the illustration. The haughty Persian monarch had been made to believe by court flatterers that Alexander had fled in terror of the great Persian host, and under this delusion led his vast army into the narrow defile, where but a small portion could operate in battle; here he was suddenly surprised and defeated, his wife, mother, and other relatives falling into the hands of Alexander. At this time Alexander had not become so much infatuated with his victories, and treated the unfortunate family of Darius with remarkable kindness and respect. Alexandrette, a town of 2,500 population, is now the chief port for northern Syria, taking the place of ancient Seleucia, the port of Antioch. This district, once the pathway of Assyrian and other conquerors, was also the battle-ground and field of victory of the first preachers of the Gospel. A day's ride on horseback from Alexandrette southward brings one to Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians. Here is where Paul began his first decided work, and whence he was sent on his mission to the Gentiles. His first work was in Pamphylia, Pisidia, Phrygia, and Lycaonia, the countries which Alexander spent nearly a year in conquering before his famous battle at Issus. Thus these two great conquerors spent considerable time on the same battle-field, but how much more lasting and worthy the victory and11crown of the one than of the other! How much more glorious was the end of the great apostle than that of the great warrior! This field, of such great historic fame, continues to be one of interest in modern times. About the time that the first angel's message began to be preached in America, missionary work was begun in Turkey by the American Board of Foreign Missions. Nearly from the first, Syria received attention, and a college for the education of young men was established at Aintab, a city a short distance inland from Issus. Here many young men were educated for teachers and other Gospel workers. A chief feature of the work of the board in Turkey has from the first been the education of the youth. Several colleges and many high schools have been established, in which some 19,000 are now under instruction. During 70 years the board has developed quite a strong work in this field; it now numbers 12,000 communicants and over 800 native laborers. A prominent feature in the work of the missionaries among the Greeks and Armenians was to impress their minds with the fact that the Scriptures, and the Scriptures only, should be the guide in doctrine and practise. This was necessary to lead them to abandon the traditions of the fathers and commandments of men. This principle having been firmly fixed, a great work has been done in preparing the way for the present truth. In several cases, we have observed the practical working of this principle when presenting the commandments. As the missionaries would urge the traditions and sophistries of men in favor of Sunday-keeping as against the plain Word of God in favor of the Sabbath, the people had but to use the arguments which the missionaries themselves had taught them in favor of the Word vs. tradition. The first work in behalf of present truth in this part of Turkey was in Cilicia, and in Syria, at Alexandrette and Aleppo. On first hearing the truth, several in these regions gladly accepted it. Altho landing entire strangers at Alexandrette, we did not keep our first Sabbath here alone. The Lord wrought in behalf of the truth in this district; from our first experience here, we believe that the Lord has many people in these regions, and we hope that soon the good work may be continued and greatly extended. H. P. H.