Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened/Chapter XXVIII
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHRISTENDOM'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ARMENIAN MASSACRES.
1. The Armenians as a Nation or Church, have no immediate connection with any ruling power or stately church. The idea of human brotherhood does not yet seem to have very strong grasp in the hearts of men, faintly manifesting its power over the selfish interests. None of the three great churches of Christendom, Greek, Roman Catholic and Anglican, has any special interest in the Armenian church. The Russian church is rather indifferent, while the Greek and Roman churches feel a decided antagonism towards the Arnenian church, though calling her "sister church." As to the denominational Protestantism, nothing can be said definitely. Her independence from the State should not place her in a position of utter indifference and heartlessness toward the cry of these bleeding Christians.
2. England's Attitude Toward the Armenian Massacres. The only possible explanation of England's inactivity is her selfishness and fear. If we go back towards the beginning of this century we cannot help but see that England in her activity in the Eastern question showed too much selfishness by repeatedly annulling the probable results of Russia's invasions on the soil of "the sick man of Europe," and by supporting the "great assassin" of ages in his barbarous course against Christianity and humanity. The Crimean war, and the following British transactions in the East, all resulted from the same selfish and jealous policy. In the last Russo-Turkish war Russia had reached to St. Stefano, only a suburb of Constantinople, and the Russian officers walked in the streets of this historic capital, and it was thought for some time that the Turk, gathering his "bag and baggage," should migrate back towards the interior of Asia Minor. It was under this terror that "the crown-giver of all the kings upon earth, the Sultan," hurried to sign the Treaty of St. Stefano, one of the terms of which was "Russian occupation of Armenia until the promised reforms were practiced." It meant nothing less than the coercion of Turkish-Armenia, and consequent liberation of a long-enslaved Christian people. But England tried and succeeded in annulling this treaty by obliging the European Powers to have a general conference at Berlin, as if to settle the Eastern question, and at the same time having a secret convention (1878) with Turkey (to protect her in case of Russian attack) and getting Cyprus for the security and facility of this bargain. In all these transactions the outward pretext was "the welfare of the Eastern Christians," but in reality the dominating project was selfish interest. Russia was too wise to ignore these intrigues and too cautious to repeat the same follies again. These last two centuries were very remarkable, with the open antagonism between the "Blind Black Mosgof" and "Heathen Turk," but Russia has now changed the methods of carrying forward her policy, and adopted England's way—outward friendship and inward machination. Therefore, she did not do anything to prevent the late Turkish atrocities, but even encouraged the Sultan by petting and caressing him.
3. The Armenian Relief Work. Among these greatest calamities, and blackest transactions, which have blotted the glory of the nineteenth century for eternity, the brightest point was the relief movement seen among the persons and private churches and religious societies, largely in England and in the United States. As soon as the sad news of devastation and need reached these countries, the first thought of good-hearted Christians were directed to a practical sympathy, and considerable sums provided and sent to the region of horrors. During the last three years a total sum of $150,000 was collected and forwarded through the Red Cross Society and the American Missionaries in Turkey. Almost every church in the United States, without denominational distinction, united in this blessed act of charity. Among the numerous relief agencies, the American Board, the Armenian Relief Committees in large cities, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Christian Endeavor Societies, the "Christian Herald," and many others, are specially praiseworthy. Had it not been for this timely help, the number of the starved and the degree of affliction would be far greater.
Besides, it is a great blessing still to some of the widows and orphans of the martyred Christians to be under the shelter and instruction of local and temporary orphanages lately established in various centers of Armenia, and conducted by the American Missionaries and German Sisters.
All the missionaries in Turkey, being perfectly assured of their personal safety, stood firm in their positions. Most of them have written detailed reports, and thus helped the circulation of the sad news in the civilized parts of the world. Many of them did actual work among the stricken families and churches, and some of them rightly deserved the name of "hero" for their deepest sympathy and generous shelter and self-sacrificing help, and unfatigued labors for the sufferers.
Many Armenian refugees found great help on their way to the United States—especially in France and in Switzerland—and on their arrival to this land of liberty they received temporary shelter, aid, sympathy and work almost everywhere from the Christian men and women who unanimously express their desire for "something to be done to save the long-suffering Armenian nation," at the same time almost always excusing themselves for the governmental policy of the United States, as if "Monroe" was greater than Jesus Christ, and his so-called "Doctrine" was more sacred than the principle of Universal Love; and that politics were more essential than the everlasting Kingdom of Heaven.
The temporal benefit of the above-mentioned humanitarian movement was secondary to its spiritual blessing for those heavily stricken Christians. The tearful prayers, the encouraging messages, the life-giving presence of so many benevolent Christian brethren and sisters, helped those afflicted people to carry their burden with more patience and to meet death with more courage.
The name of Miss Frances Willard will never be forgotten by the Armenians for her noble deeds toward the Armenian refugees at Marseilles, France. An Armenian woman, writing of Miss Willard, said: "A precious woman of Christ-like heart, has, by her tender look and touch, made our unbearable sorrows lighter. We could not understand her words, nor could she understand ours, but we understood her tears, which flowed freely for us."
