| CHAPTER | PAGE |
|---|
| I. Armenia
| 17 |
|
Mohammedan Intolerance—Location and Boundary of Ancient
Armenia—Divisions—Earliest Name—Mountains—Volcanic Action
and Earthquakes—Mt. Ararat—The Garden of Eden—Beauty of
Scenery—Rivers—Lakes—Altitude and Climate—Fertility—Flowers,
Birds and Animals—Mines and Mineral Springs—Ancient and Modern
Cities—Suffering under Turkish Rule—England’s Responsibility—Hope
for a Bright Future. |
| II. The Armenians
| 37 |
| Ancestry Traced to Scriptural Progenitor—Traditional
Origin of Name—The First Battle for Liberty—Early
Kings—Testimony from Cuneiform Inscriptions—Relation to
Contemporaneous Nations—Babylonia—Assyria—The Medo-Persian
Empire—Macedonia—Parthia—Names and Derivations—Tigranes
the Great—Roman Ascendancy—Armenians Continued Struggle for
Independence—The First Christian Prince. |
| III. The Religion of the Ancient Armenians
| 59 |
| Primitive Religion a Pure Monotheism in Patriarchal
Form—Abraham—Melchizadek—The Bible Not a Universal
History—Human Tendency Toward Retrogression—Divine Aid Necessary
for True Progress—Influence of Surrounding Nations—Assyrian
Idolatry—The Pantheism of Babylon—Semitic Theological
Conceptions—Zoroastrianism—The Magi—Armenia Affected by Grecian
Polytheism but not by Roman Deification of Her Emperors. |
| IV. The Conversion of the Armenians
| 65 |
| The Religious Condition of the World at the Time of Christ’s
Birth—Christianity Carried to Armenia by Three of the
Apostles—An Early Tradition of the Armenian Church—The King’s
Decree that “Henceforth the Religion of Christ is the Religion
of Armenia”—St. Gregory, “The Illuminator,” Ordained Bishop
of Armenia—Idol Temples Pulled Down—Christian Training and
Literatures—Translation of Old and New Testaments—Persian Oppression
and Armenian Loyalty and Bravery—A Desperate Struggle—Address
of the Armenian Commander-in-Chief—The Army of the Holy
League—A Desertion—Confusion and Discouragement—A Hymn of High
Resolve—Persian Conquest and Oppression—Armenian Faithfulness to
Principle—Terms of Peace Leading to an Edict of Toleration—A Period
of Tranquillity. |
| V. Conflicting Forces
| 80 |
| Changes Among the Nations—Division of Roman
Empire—Constantinople—Political and Religious Facts—Unfortunate
Misunderstanding between Greek and Armenian Christians—Persian
Attitude—Persecution and Division—Rise and Spread of
Mohammedanism—35,000 Armenian Captives—Saracen Policy of
Cruelty—Armenia Humiliated, but not Crushed—Again Strong Independent
Kingdom—A Period of Progress—Mongolian Tartar Tribes—A King
Treacherously Dethroned—Turkish Cruelty—Armenians in Cappadocia
and Cilicia—Reuben the First of Cilicia—The First Crusade—Attempt
to Bring Armenian Church Under Control of Pope of Rome—Genghis
Khan—Capture of Jerusalem from Crusaders—Capture of Constantinople
by Crusaders—Ignominious Treatment of Christians—Christian Armenia
Entirely Surrounded by Foes of Christianity—The Country Rendered
Desert—An Opportunity for Victory through United Forces of Grecian
and Armenian Christianity Lost—Resultant Suffering. |
| VI. The Armenian Church
| 102 |
| Apostolic in Origin—National in Extent—Her Defense against
Zoroastrianism—Oppressed by Mohammedans—Formalism in Greek
Church—Roman Attempt at Subordination—The Election and
Ordination of Armenian Bishops—Doctors of Theology—Customs
of Armenian Church—Points of Difference between Armenian and
Roman Churches—Church Councils and Their Decrees—Statement of
Armenian Belief—Tribute to the Bible—Superiority of Armenian
Translation—Greek Invasion—Saracen Desecration—Loyalty of Armenian
Christians under Persecution. |
| VII. The Period of Subjection
| 117 |
| The Armenians in Cilicia—Mongolian Invaders—Condition of
Western Asia—Rise and Growth of Ottoman Power—The Standing
Army—Compulsory Service of Conquered Christians—A Tax of Every
Fifth Child—A Military Caste—Extent of Turkish Empire—Armenian
Exiles—A New Calamity—Treachery and Cruelty—“The Lord
of Asia”—Crossing the Bosphorus—The Turkish Capture of
Constantinople—All Europe Filled with Consternation—Luther’s Hymn
Containing Prayer for Deliverance—Divisions and Famine—God’s
Purpose in Sparing Armenia—Bitterness between Turkish and
Persian Mohammedans—Deportation of 25,000 Families—Comparative
Rest for Eighty Years—Hope for Emancipation—Russia Offers
Protection—Faithless to Promises—Russian Armies in Armenia. |
| VIII. A General Survey
| 133 |
| Armenians Compared to Jews, because of Persecution—Number
of Armenians in Different Countries—Description of Armenian
Village Life—Agricultural Methods and Implements—Patriarchal
Life—Shepherds—Absence of Means of Transportation—Various
Trades and Callings—Churches and Schools—“The Anglo-Saxons of
the East”—Popular Prejudices against the Armenians—Armenian
Boats—Armenian Commerce—Accumulation of Wealth—Jealousy of
Turks—An Inscription from a Tomb—Armenian Constitution of
1860—The General Assembly—The Ecclesiastical Council—Revocation
of Constitution in Turkish Armenia (Aug. 12, 1916)—The Armenians in
Western Persia—Russia and the Armenians—The Armenians of the Aryan
Race—Testimony of the Language—Armenian Literature—Catholic and
Protestant Missionaries and Impetus to Education—Armenians in Schools
and Colleges of the World—An Armenian Poem. |
| IX. The Reformed Church
| 153 |
| Condition of Church which Needed Reformation—Roman Catholic
Missionaries—Catholic Armenian Church—Effect upon Armenia
of the European Reformation—Work of the British and Russian
Bible Societies—American Missionaries—“An Oriental
Melancthon”—Translation of New Testament into Armeno-Turkish—Need
of Wise Leadership—Roman and Greek Opposition—Attitude of American
Board of Foreign Missions—A Turkish Pledge Unkept—A Separate
Organization—New Churches—Progress of the Reformation—Preaching
Tours—Family Worship—A Seminary for Women—Anathemas upon the
“Heretics”—The Crimean War—An Edict of Equality Rendered Null and
Void—Continued Persecution—Growth of Evangelical Churches and
Doctrine—Statistics of the Work for 1914. |
| X. Causes of Progress, and Hindrances
| 169 |
| I. The Bible. Armenian Reverence for the Word of
God—Translations—Co-operation between Bible Societies and
Missionaries—Personal Experiences—A Refusal Turned to a Blessing
in Disguise—“The Two Edged Sword”—Banishment by Turks, for
Carrying a Scripture Test in Armenian. II. Education:
Ancient Centers of Learning—Turkish Destruction—Activity of
Armenian Press in Seventeenth Century—Work of the Enemies of
Protestantism—Revival of Learning in 1835—The Seminary at Bebek—The
English Language Proscribed—Discussion and Opposition—Armenians
Going Abroad for College Training—Personal Mention of Men Who
Had Excelled—The Advantages of General Culture—List of Native
Colleges and Seminaries—Standing at Beginning of War. III.
Christian Literature: Translation of Bible Followed by that
of Other Books—The Mission Press—A Means of Helping Students.
IV. Medical Work: Limited Knowledge of Early Native
Physicians—Meaning of Christ’s Commission—Mission Hospital Work at
Beginning of War—Letter from Dr. Barton. Hindrances: Poverty
of Protestant Communities—The Mohammedan Government. |
| XI. The Armenian Question
| 186 |
| The Question Not a New One—Resistance of Zoroastrianism—Of
Mohammedanism—Of Pagan-Mohammedanism—Turkish Misrule—“Tears of
Armenia”—Cause of the Russo-Turkish War—“The Infidels Must be
Killed”—Testimony of an Eye-witness—The Treaty of San Stefano
(1878)—Promises of Reform—Anglo-Turkish Convention of Cypress—The
Treaty of Berlin—England’s Contract with Turkey—Disturbance
among Kurds—The Abandonment of the Cause of Justice—Arms Denied
the Armenians, but Granted All Others—The Turkish “Court of
Mockery”—Correspondence of the London Daily News—Revision
of the Treaty of Berlin—England’s Responsibility—Statement of the
Armenian Question—Turkish Disregard for Pledged Treaty—Indifference
of Other Nations—An Instance of Cruelty—Simply One of Many—“A
Revolutionary Poem.” |
| XII. The Gospel and the Koran
| 204 |
| Growing Indications of Turkish Misrule—Underlying Causes—Teachings
of Christ and of Mohammed Contrasted—The Attitudes of Each Toward
Women—Toward Holiness—Toward Forms and Ceremonies—The Revival
of Mohammedanism Means the Suppression of All Other Religions—The
Sword of the Prophet—Choice of Islam, Slavery or Death—A Mohammedan
Prayer—Impossible for a Mohammedan to Keep Promises—War on All
Infidels, Commanded—Subjugation of a Jewish Colony—Division of the
Spoils. |
| XIII. Massacre of the Christians
| 212 |
| Faithfulness, at What Cost?—The Greek Revolution—In the Island
of Chios—An Explorer’s Description of an Assault—Massacre
in Syria in 1860—Scenes in Damascus—Letter from American
Consul-General—Correspondence in London Times—Testimony of
American Missionaries—A Noted Change of Sentiment—Sultan Abdul
Hamid—A False Accusation—Condoning Injustice—An Armenian Revolution
Impossible and Absurd—Kurdish Chiefs Armed for Suppression—A
Medical Missionary’s Letter—Who Posted the Placards?—Two College
Professors Unjustly Imprisoned—Moslem Mobs in Possession of
Cæsarea—Official Reports of Turkish Outrages—Rev. Father Endeavor
Clark’s Experiences—So-called “Agitators”—Result of Trial—Why
Their Anchors Could Not be Lifted—Enquiry in the English House of
Commons—Memorial Sent by the Society of Friends to the Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs—Reply to Memorial A Difference of Opinion. |
| XIV. The Massacre at Sassoun
| 235 |
| Location and People of Sassoun—Vexatious Conditions—Self-defense
Miscalled Insurrection—A Cruel Order—Harrowing Details of
Massacre—An “Agitator’s” Appeal to the Sultan and Reward for
Service Rendered—England’s Position—Armenian Mothers—Turkish
Attempt to Conceal Facts—Denial of Truthfulness of Report of
British Vice-Consul—Mohammedanism and Barbarism—Sultan’s Refusal
to Receive President Cleveland’s Appointed Representation of the U.
S.—The Sultan’s Commission and Its Work—How the Result was Received
by Other Nations—A Humiliating Failure—Address of Hon. W. E.
Gladstone—Rupture between Turkish and European Commissioners—Report
of European Delegates—A Just Request Refused. |
| XV. The Massacres of 1895-6
| 250 |
| A Scheme of Reform Presented by the British, French, and Russian
Governments—The Sultan’s Promise—Unfulfilled—Abdul Hamid II—The
Truth about Armenia—Biased Statements of the German Press—Turkey’s
Uncertainty as to the Action of the Powers, an Encouragement to
Her Misrule—Refusal to Receive an Armenian Petition—Letter from
an American Resident of Constantinople—Statistical Table of the
Massacres of 1895-6—Summary—A War of Desolation—Pretense of
“Suppressing a Revolution”—“Horrible Details of Butchery”—Churches
Invaded and Burned—Indignities to Women and Girls—Many
of Them Commit Suicide—A Daughter’s Sacrifice—Germany’s
Friendship—Quotation from a German Paper—Dr. Lapsius’ Reply—More
Statistics—Compulsory Conversions to Mohammedanism—Individual
Instances of Faithfulness—Faithfulness to Christ Reported as
Obstinacy—At Cæsarea—Report of the British Vice-Consul—Work
of Miss Corinna Shattuck—Other Missionaries Give Personal
Experiences—Atrocities of Soldiers and Officers—England’s Professed
Inability to Act—The Massacre at Constantinople—Plans Known to
Turkish Government and Made Occasion of Outbreak—Persecution
Following Worse in Its Effects than Massacre Itself—“Conduct
of European Powers”—Result of a Disagreement—Germany Seeking
Expansion—Emperor’s Tribute to Mohammedanism. |
| XVI. The Revolution and Massacres at Adana, 1908-9
| 282 |
| The Enemies of the Sultan—Demand for the Restoration of the
Constitution—Abdul Hamid’s Insincere Acquiescence—Joy of the
People—Instigation to Mutiny—The Night of April 13, 1909—Character
of the Sultan’s Success—The Young Turks Take Possession of the
Palace of the Sultan—Abdul Hamid Sent into Exile—Mohammedan Massacre
of Christians—Disease and Starvation Follow in Wake of Murder—Letter
from Wife of British Consul of Adana—Kessab—Testimony of President
of St. Paul’s Institute at Tarsus—Turkish Determination to Annihilate
the Armenians—“The Armenian Question” a One Sided One—Under
Mohammedan Rule Reform Impossible. |
| XVII. The Reign of the Young Turk
| 290 |
| Mohammed V.—Divisions of Empire for Administrative
Purposes—Troublesome Times for the Young Turks—Surrounding
Peoples—The Bosnians and Servians—Austro-Hungarians—The Bulgarian’s
Declaration of Independence—Turco-Italian War—The First Balkan
War and Its Results—Second Balkan War—Reverses of the Young
Turks—Plan to Use Armenians to Instigate a Revolt—Offers of Reward
Refused—Modified Demands on the Armenians—Still Refused—A Peaceful
Endeavor. |
| XVIII. The Massacres of 1915-16
| 298 |
| Why the Young Turks Declared War—Reasons for the Beginning of
the Massacres—A Draft of Armenians with the Army—Disarmed and
Made to Work on the Roads—Turkish Proclamation of “A Holy War”—A
Holy War Explained—Proclamation Favorably Received by Mohammedans
Everywhere—Suffering Syrian Christians—“A Price on Every Christian
Head”—Consequences—Letter from a Medical Missionary—Heart-rending
Scenes—A Catholic Priest Who Refuses to Confess Mohammed as God’s
Prophet and His Fate—Report of Dr. Vanneman—Urumia—Native
Christian Preachers Crucified—Inhabitants of Van Resist—Timely
Arrival of Russian Forces—Succor only Temporary—Turks and Kurds
Return—“Suppressing Armenian Rebellion”—Turkish Treachery—Scenes
along the Road—Christians Held in Prison and then Slain—Atrocities
Miscalled “Justifiable and Necessary Measures”—Wholesale
Drownings—“Turkey for the Turks”—Testimony of Dr. Herbert Adams
Gibbons—The Turks not Satisfied with Less than the Complete
Extermination of all Who Oppose Mohammedanism. |
| XIX. The Deportations of 1915-16
| 316 |
| Deportation and Its Consequences: Orders from
Constantinople—German Influence—No Exceptions to be
Made—Reasons for Scheme of Transportation—A Procession of Doomed
Victims—Unparalleled Savagery—Character of Armenian People—Turks
Encourage Armenian Organizations which, Later, They Brand as
“Revolutionary”—“The Blackest Page in Modern History”—Five Hundred
Men Imprisoned in an Armenian Church—Awaiting Orders to March into
Exile—Allowed to Take but Few Possessions—Searching Out Armenian
Names—The Procession as Seen from a College Compound—A Hopeless
Journey of a Thousand Miles—Forced to Abandon Food and Bedding
on the Road—Uncertainty of the Fate of Loved Ones—The Minds of
Some Become Unbalanced—Boys and Girls Sold to Mohammedans to be
Reared in that Faith—Two Girls Sold for Eighty Cents—A Loyal
Priest of Ninety—Women and Girls Carried off to an Unknown Fate—At
the Euphrates River—A Faithful Teacher Accompanies Her School
Girls on Their Way to Exile—Extracts from Her Letters—“Getting
Accustomed to Being Robbed”—Exiles from Tocat—Men Tied Together
for Execution Overtaking Those Who Had Fallen by the Way from Former
Deportations—Not Allowed to Go Further—No Later Word from Her
Companions—Dual Orders Issued from Constantinople: One to be Made
Public, the Other to Deal with Armenians. |
| XX. Camps of Refuge, 1915-17
| 332 |
| Physical Suffering Compared with the Deeper Anguish of Mind and
Heart—Why the Young Turks Continued Their Barbarity—An American
Missionary’s Experience—Martyrdom of First Christian Century Compared
with Scenes in 1915—An American Woman’s Appeal Unheeded—Absurdity
of Turkish Excuse—Inefficiency of Armenian Defense—Cilician
Armenians Disarmed by Misrepresentation—Evacuated Homes Given to
Mohammedan Refugees—More than 20,000 Armenians Forced to Emigrate
from One Province—An Almost Miraculous Escape—“Christians
in Distress. Rescue!”—The Third Stage of the Turk’s Plan of
Extermination: “Agricultural Colonies”—Most Undesirable Sites
Chosen—A Thousand Families with only Fifty Grown Men—Unwholesome
Climatic Influences—Scenes in the Refugee Camps—American Embassy
Refused Permission to Carry Help—The Sufferings of Shelterless
Exiles—The Unburied Dead—Epidemic of Typhoid Fever—Exhausted Exiles
Driven Forward at Point of Soldiers’ Bayonets—What a Missionary
Saw—Distributing Bread to the Hungry—Children Sold to Prevent
Starvation—580 Buried in One Day—A Town in the Desert—Instant
Death Preferred to Long Suffering—A Protest from German
Missionaries—Heart-rending Scenes—Massacres Still Going On—Late
News—Present Conditions—Accessories to Turks’ Crime—U.S.A. Entering
into the Conflict. Encouraging Signs—God rules. |
| Map
| 352 |