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Agency of Sir Stratford Canning.--Of Lord Cowley.--Lord Palmerston's Instructions.--Action of the Porte.--The Chevalier Bunsen.--A Vizerial Letter.--Further Concessions.--The Firman.--Good Counsel from Sir Stratford to the Protestants.--Dilatoriness of the Turkish Government.--Still another Concession by the Sultan.--Agency of the American Minister.--Greatness of the Changes.--The Divine Agency recognized.--The Danger.--Why Persecution was continued.--New Missionaries.--Pera again ravaged by Fire.--The Aintab Station.--Native Zeal for the Spread of the Gospel.--Activity of the Mission.--The Patriarch deposed.--Native Pastors.--Death of Mrs. Hamlin.--Death and Character of Dr. Azariah Smith.--Mr. Dunmore joins the Mission.--Removal into Old Constantinople.--The First Ecclesiastical Council.--The Gospel introduced into Marsovan.--Visited by Mr. E. E. Bliss.--A Persecution that was needed.--Unexpected Relief.--Changes in the Mission.--Missions by Native Pastors.--Death of Mrs. Everett.--Death of Mr. Benjamin.

The Crimean War subservient to the Gospel.--Its Origin. --Providential Interposition.--Probable Consequences of Russian Success.--Effect of the Fall of Sebastopol.--The Mission in 1855.--Schools.--Church Organization.--Church Building.--The Printing.--Editions of the Scriptures.--The Book Depository.--Aid from Abroad.--Greek Students in Theology.--Licentiates.--Accession of Missionaries.--Death of Mr. Everett.--Miscellaneous Notices.--Renewed Agitation about the Death Penalty.--The Hatti Huma?oun.--How regarded by the English Ambassador.--Includes the Death Penalty.--Is recognized in the Treaty of Paris.--How estimated by the Missionaries.--Indications of Progress.--Aintab.--Death of Mrs. Schneider.--Girls' School at Constantinople.--Seminary at Bebek.--Division of the Mission.--Turkish Missions Aid Society.--Visit of Dr. Dwight to England.--A Remarkable Convert.--Death of the second Mrs. Hamlin.--Arabkir.--Sivas and Tocat.--Harpoot.--Geghi.--Revivals of Religion.--Girls' School at Nicomedia.--Fire at Tocat.--Mr. Dunmore's Explorations.--Church at Cesarea.--A former Persecutor made Catholicos.--Death of Mrs. Beebee.

A Result of the Crimean War.--Religious Opinion in Constantinople. --Change at Rodosto.--Outbreak at the Metropolis.--A Remarkable Native Helper.--Great Change in Marsovan.--Changes elsewhere. --Telegraphic Communication.--The Mission further divided.--First Native Pastor at Harpoot.--Rise of the Station.--Dr. Dwight's Second Tour in the East.--Changes since the First Tour.--Triumph of the Gospel at Marash.--Tribute to the Wives of Missionaries.--Change at Diarbekir.--Decline of Turkish Population.--Death and Character of Mr. Dunmore.--The Missionary Force.--Training School at Mardin.--Other Portions of the Field.--Scripture Translations. --Publications.

Origin of the Mission.--Mosul reoccupied.--Why it had been relinquished.--Proposed American Episcopal Mission.--The Mission of the Board reinforced.--Dr. Bacon's Experience in the Koordish Mountains.--Punishment of the Robbers.--How the Gospel came to Diarbekir.--Church organized.--Arrival of Mr. Dunmore.--Tomas. --Persecutions.--Mr. Marsh's Visit to Mardin.--Dr. Lobdell's Experience at Aintab and Oorfa.--Outrage at Diarbekir.--Descent of the Tigris.--Diarbekir a Year later.--Congregational Singing at Mosul.--Dr. Lobdell as a Medical Missionary.--The Yazidees.--Dr. Lobdell's Visit to Oroomiah.--His Views of the Ecclesiastical Policy of the Mission.--Return to Mosul.--The Church at Diarbekir reorganized.--Strength out of Weakness.--Native Preacher at Hain?.--The Gospel at Cutterbul.--Relief at Mosul.--A Special Danger growing out of the Crimean War.--Excessive Heat.--Death of Mrs. Williams.--Dr. Lobdell visits Bagdad.--His Sickness, Death, and Character.--Religious Services at Diarbekir.--The Gospels in Koordish.--New Station at Mardin.--Remarkable Case of Conversion. --New Station at Bitlis.--Death of Mrs. Marsh.--Return of Mrs. Lobdell with Mr. Marsh.--Difficulties in the way of occupying Mosul.--Great Prosperity at Diarbekir.--Close of the Assyria Mission.

Mr. Stoddard's Reception on his Return.--Death of Judith Perkins. --Progress in the Mountains.--Progress on the Plain.--The Seminaries.--A suggestive Case of Native Piety.--Scenes on a Tour.--Nazee, a Christian Girl, at her Mountain Home.--Elevations of Places.--A Russian Friend.--Mr. Stocking's Return Home.--A Robbery. --Another Revival.--Seminary Graduates.--Extraordinary Enthusiasm. --Books.--Death of Mr. Crane.--Audacity of Papal Missionaries. --English and Russian Protection.--Mr. Cochran at Kosrova.--Matter of Church Organization.--Death of Deacon Guwergis.--Hostility of the Persian Government.--A new Revival.--Gawar vacated for a time. --Discomfiture of the Enemy.--The Lord a Protector.--The Monthly Concert.--Mountain Tours.--Search for a Western Station.--An Interesting Event.--Violence of Government Agents.--How these Agents were removed out of the Way.

Death of Mr. Stoddard.--His Character.--Death of his Daughter. --Retrospective View.--Death of Mrs. Rhea.--Decisive Indication of Progress.--A Winter in Western Koordistan.--Mosul and its Vicinity. --The Mountain Field.--An Appeal.--Failing Health.--New Missionaries.--Death of Mr. Thompson.--Failure of the Plan for a Western Station.--Failure of Mr. Cobb's Health.--The Nestorian Helpers.--Tenth Revival in the Seminary.--Literary Treasures of the Nestorians.--Marriage of Mar Yohanan.--Advance towards Church Organization.--Death of the Patriarch.--Extraordinary Outburst of Liberality.--Dr. Dwight's Visit to Oroomiah.--His Opinion of the Church Policy of the Mission.--Improvements.--Appearance of the Native Preachers.--Death of Mr. Breath.--Apprehended Aggressions from Russian Ecclesiastics.--More Revivals.--Death of Mar Elias.--His Character.--Armenians on the Plain of Oroomiah.--Manual for the Reformed Church.--Retrospect of the Mission.--Miss Rice in sole Charge of the Female Seminary.--Care of the English Government for the Nestorians.

The First Missionaries.--Arrival of Mr. Schauffler at Constantinople.--Jews in that City.--Baptism of a German Jew.--Religious Excitements.--Visit to Odessa.--The Psalms in Hebrew-Spanish.--Printing of the Old Testament at Vienna.--Whole Bible in Hebrew-Spanish.--Unsuccessful Opposition.--Generous Aid from Scotland.--Demand for the Scriptures.--The Grand Difficulty. --Present Duty of Christian Churches.--The German Jews.--Interest of Protestant Armenians in the Mission.--The Italian Jews.--Service for the Germans.--Why so much Preparatory Work.--New Editions of the Scriptures.--Important Testimony.--Change of Relations to Constantinople Jews.--Attention turned to the Jews in Salonica.--The Jewish Population there.--Missionaries to Salonica.--The Zoharites. --Relations of the Jews to Christ's Kingdom.--The Practical Inference.--Death of Mr. Maynard.--New Missionary.--The People without Education.--Their Capacity for Self-righteousness.--Literary Labors of Mr. Schauffler.--A New Missionary.--Insalubrity of the Climate.--Dangerous Sickness.--Death of Mrs. Morgan.--Removal to Constantinople.--Salonica partially reoccupied.--Labors among the Smyrna Jews.--Labors of Mr. Schauffler.--Why the Mission was relinquished.--Mr. Schauffler turns to the Moslems.

The Geographical Position.--Moslem Population.--The Bulgarians. --Their Origin and Early History.--Their Conversion to Christianity.--Their Ecclesiastical Relations.--Their Aversion to the Greek Hierarchy.--Danger from the Papacy.--Seasonable Intervention of Protestantism.--Their Struggle with the Greek Patriarch.--First Exploration of Roumelia, and Dr. Hamlin's Report.--The Result.--Division of the Bulgarian Field between Methodist Missionaries and those of the American Board.--Friendly Co?peration.--Report of a Tour by Mr. Bliss.--Commencement of the Bulgarian Mission.--Papal Opposition.--The Mission enlarged.--The Accessible Population.--Desire for Education.--Readiness to receive the New Testament.--Church formed at Adrianople.--Labors of Mr. Meriam.

Brigandage in Bulgaria.--Mr. Meriam murdered by Brigands. --Distressing Circumstances and Death of Mrs. Meriam.--Successful Efforts to Punish the Assassins.--Check to the Brigandage.--Further Enlargement of the Mission.--School for Girls.--New Station at Samokov.--Results of a General Missionary Conference.--The Great Obstacle.--Signs of Progress.--Unexpected Hindrance.--Popularity of the Schools.--The People not accessible to Preaching.--Awakened Interest.--Girl's School at Eski Zagra.--Cases of Domestic Persecution.--A Serious Loss.--Effect of False Reports.--A Successful Intervention.--Public Celebration of the Lord's Supper.--Its Significance.--New Missionaries.--Death of Mr. Ball.--Death of Miss Reynolds.--The Connection with the Armenian Mission dissolved.--The Mission as thus constituted.--The Bulgarians Ecclesiastically Free.--First Effect of this Freedom.--Promising Events.--Death of Miss Norcross.--Removal of the School from Eski Zagra to Samokov.--A Church organized at Bansko.--Translation of the Bible into the Spoken Language.--The Mission in its Preliminary Stage, but ready for an Onward Movement.

Dr. Dwight's Visit to the United States.--His Sudden Death.--His Life and Character.--His Views of Missionary Policy.--The Actual Call for Missionaries, and the Discretion awarded to them.--Bebek Seminary to be removed into the Interior.--Its History.--Removal of Boarding School for Girls.--Its Usefulness.--Exploration of the Taurus Mountains.--A Beautiful Scene.--A Barbarous Expulsion from Hadjin.--Murder of Mr. Coffing.--Successful Efforts to apprehend the Murderers.--One of them executed.--The Result.--Mrs. Coffing remains in the Mission.--Dr. Goodell's Estimate of Progress in the Central Mission.--Progress at Aintab.--At Oorfa.--At Harpoot.--Theological School.--A Native Preacher.--Mosul.--Ordination of a Native Pastor at Diarbekir.--Contrasted with an Oriental Ordination.--Disturbing Efforts of Garabed.--Progress at Bitlis.--The Church at Erzroom. --Progress at Arabkir.--Sojourn of Dr. Wood at Constantinople. --Accessions to the Mission.--Ordination of Native Pastors.

A Reaction.--The Apparent Cause.--Consequent Movements.--Results. --Position of the Entire Field.--Obstacles to be surmounted. --Painful Experience at Marsovan.--Accessions to the Mission. --Working Force at the Metropolis.--Robert College and Bebek.--An unsuccessful Disorganizing Movement.--Great Fire at Broosa.--New Missionary Station.--Influence of the American War at Adana. --Diminished Force in Central Turkey.--Evangelical Progress at Aintab.--Two Churches formed.--Girls' Boarding School.--High School.--Graduating Class at Harpoot.--Singular Method of Opposition.--Progress of Self-support and the Evangelical Spirit in the Churches.--Death of Mrs. Williams.--General View of the Eastern Mission.--Methods of Opposition.--Liberal Support of the Gospel. --Prosperity at Diarbekir.--Death of Mr. Dodd.--Death of Mr. Morgan.--Death of Hohannes.--Interesting Ordinations.--Reception of Mr. and Mrs. Walker.--A Native Church in the Absence of both Missionary and Pastor.--Death of a Native Helper.

Harpoot Evangelical Union.--Other Similar Associations.--Their Utility.--A Poor Church enriched.--John Concordance, the Blind Preacher.--His Sermon on Tithes, and his Wide Influence.--Meeting of the Harpoot Union.--Death of Mrs. Adams.--New Missionaries. --Multiplication of Newspapers.--The Avedaper, or "Messenger."--The Reformed Church and Prayer-Book.--Consequent Excitement. --Bible-women.--Eleven Years at Harpoot.--Week of Prayer at Harpoot, and Bitlis.--Revival at Bitlis.--Broosa after Seventeen Years. --First Evangelical Greek Church.--Death of Mr. Walker.--His Character.--Return Home of Mrs. Walker.--Contrast at Choonkoosh. --A Foreign Mission resolved upon.--New Revival at Harpoot.--The Past and Present.--Injurious Effect of Prosperity in a Church.--The Recovery.

Death and Character of Deacon Isaac.--Death and Character of Miss Fiske.--Death of Deacon Joseph.--Mountain Tours.--The Mountain Work.--Visit to the Young Patriarch.--The Seminary for Girls.--Great Usefulness of Dr. Wright.--His Death.--Death of Mr. Ambrose. --Nestorian Vagrancy.--Death and Character of Mr. Rhea.--Hostility of Mar Shimon.--Friendly Agency of the English Ambassador.--Royal Donation.--Success of the Girls' School.--Male Seminary.--A Private School.--Death of Priest Eshoo.--New Medical Missionary.--Estimates of Population.--Interesting Armenian Colony.--The Patriarch thwarted in his Hostility.--Favoring Indications.

Convention of Nestorian Churches.--Ordination of a Nestorian Missionary.--A Satisfactory Tour.--Movement towards Self-supporting Churches.--Progress of the Reformation.--Retirement of Missionaries.--What Dr. Perkins had seen accomplished.--Rekindling of the Ancient Missionary Spirit.--Foreign Missions become a Necessity.--The Reviving Missionary Spirit illustrated.--Death of Priest Abraham.--Failure of the Original Plan of Church Organization.--Mar Yohanan.--Erratic Proceedings of Priest John.--The best People stand firm.--The Past not to be condemned. --Separate Churches become a Necessity.--Signs of Revival.--The Foreign Missionary Field for the Nestorians.--The Missionaries. --Assignments of Fields.--Transfer of the Mission to the Presbyterian Board.--Death and Character of Dr. Perkins.

Death of Dr. Eli Smith.--The Work performed by him.--Dr. Van Dyck succeeds him as Translator.--The Missionaries.--Death of Dr. De Forest.--The Schools.--Progress in Fifteen Years.--Ain Zehalty. --Church at Hasbeiya.--Attitude of the Maronite Clergy.--B'hamd?n. --Kefr Shema.--A High-minded Christian.--Religious Toleration. --Prospect of a Native Ministry.--A New Call for the Gospel.--Church at Alma.--Successful Ministry at Cana.--First completed Protestant Church Building in Syria.--The Missionary's Wife at Cana. --Persecution.--The Women at Alma.--Training of Helpers.--Ain Zehalty again.--Struggles in the Department of Education. --Accessions to the Churches.--New Protestant Community at Deir Mimas.--A Cheering Annual Meeting.--Friendly Aid from United States Ambassador.--Arabic New Testament published.

Another Civil War in Syria.--The Missionaries Safe.--Massacre near Sidon.--Mr. Bird at Deir el-Komr.--Destruction of Zahleh.--Massacre at Hasbeiya.--Massacre at Damascus.--Relief for Suffering Thousands.--Remarkable Escape of Missionaries and Native Protestants.--Foreign Interposition.--Effects of the War.--Arabic New Testament published.--Cooperation of American and English Bible Societies.--Importance of the Version.--Sales of the Scriptures.--A Voweled Arabic New Testament.--The Field Brightening.--A Good Governor.--Further Evidences of Progress.--Persecution.--A Significant Event.--Evidence of Divine Agency.--Changes in the Mission.--Growth of Beir?t.--Demand for Education.--Proposal for a Protestant College.--What hindered a more Rapid Progress in the Mission.

Personal.--Boarding Schools.--Printing.--Completion of the Arabic Translation of the Scriptures.--Multiplication of Copies.--Improved Government of Lebanon.--The Native Ministry.--Druze High School. --Value of Druze Protection.--Death of Tann?s el-Haddad.--Native Pastor at Hums.--Remarkable Awakening at Safeeta.--Remarkable Persecution.--Firmness of the persecuted People.--The Persecution closed.--Decline and Recovery of the Church at Hums.--Native Missions.--Administration of Daoud Pasha.--Accessions to the Mission.--Books published.--The Publishing Department strengthened.

But few Students in Theology.--Institution of a Theological Seminary.--Female Boarding Schools.--THE SYRIAN PROTESTANT COLLEGE. --Demand for a College.--Its Objects.--Range of its Studies.--Why an Independent Institution.--Its Location and Government.--Its Endowment.--Its Students.--The Religious Influences.--First Graduating Class.--The College Edifices.--Transfer of the Mission to the Presbyterian Board.--Feeling awakened by the Transfer.--RESULTS OF THE PAST.

New Missionaries.--Revival at Marash.--Revival at Mardin.--Oosee, a Native Candidate for a Foreign Mission.--Church organized at Mardin.--Wife of Oosee.--Struggle with the People of Zeitoon. --Deadly Assault on a Missionary.--The Rescue.--The Gospel gains a Footing in Zeitoon.--Coast of the Black Sea.--Death of Dr. William Goodell.--His Life and Character.--Prolonged Tour in Eastern Turkey.--Meeting of the Evangelical Union at Diarbekir.--Mardin. --Remarkable Church and Pastor at Sert.--Bitlis.--Extreme Poverty on the Plain of Moosh.--Oppression by the Priesthood.--Death of Mrs. H. S. Barnum.--District of Erzroom.--Diarbekir.--Native Mission to Koordistan.--Native Mission to Moosh.--Seminaries at Harpoot.--Cruel Persecution at Mardin.--Revival at Oorfa.--Apprehended Doctrinal Errors.--Reception of Mr. Wheeler on his Return to Harpoot. --Progress of Civilization at Aleppo.--Death of John Concordance. --Aintab after Twenty Years.

Another Revival at Marash.--Another at Bitlis.--New Church and Pastor at Havadoric.--Great Change in Hadjin.--The Marsovan Seminary.--Angora.--Erzingan.--Crisis in the Koordistan Native Mission.--Mr. Wheeler's Visit to it, and Mr. Pond's Visit to Sert. --Mosul.--Death of Dr. Williams.--His Character.--Women in the Region of Cesarea.--Missionary Visit to Van.--Death of a Native Pastor.--Dr. Clarke's Impressions of Cilicia.

MISSIONS

TO THE

ORIENTAL CHURCHES.

THE ARMENIANS.

Several European governments, and especially England, performed an important part in securing civil and religious freedom to the Protestant Armenians.

In March, 1846, Sir Stratford Canning, English Ambassador at Constantinople, reported to his government thirty-six evangelical Armenians as persecuted by the Patriarch. To this he added personal efforts to meliorate their condition, which resulted in promises from Turkish officials and the Patriarch of better treatment, promises that were by no means fulfilled.

Upon learning that the Armenian Protestants had been organized into a church, he transmitted to Lord Palmerston, the Foreign Secretary, their declaration of reasons for so doing, and their confession of faith.

The Hon. H. R. Wellesley, better known as Lord Cowley, on taking, the place of Sir Stratford during his visit to England, cordially took up the unfinished work of his predecessor, and urged upon Lord Palmerston the importance of procuring from the Porte a recognition of the Protestant Armenians as an independent community. He showed that, in spite of the liberal assurances extorted from the Patriarch, they were exposed to daily injury and insult, and would continue to be so until recognized by the Porte as a distinct community among its Christian subjects. At the same time, he forwarded a copy of an able declaration by the American missionaries of their objects in coming to Turkey, which they had made to the Porte through Mr. Carr, the American Minister. Lord Cowley was instructed by Lord Palmerston, "to bring the situation of these people earnestly under the consideration of the Porte, and urgently to press the Turkish government to acknowledge them as a separate religious sect." In December the Porte freed the Protestant Armenians from the rule of the Armenian Patriarch, so far as regarded their commercial and temporal affairs, and allowed them to appoint an agent, who should manage their affairs with the government; and also to keep separate registers of marriages, births, and deaths. The Chevalier Bunsen, the well known Prussian Ambassador in Paris, now entered into the work, and recommended, that their recognition be as durable and complete as that of the other Christian nationalities. To this proposal Lord Palmerston cordially assented; but the Turkish officials were, as usual, disinclined to go forward.

On the 19th of November, 1847, Lord Cowley had the satisfaction of announcing, that the Grand Vizier, wishing, as he said, to do something that he knew would be agreeable to his lordship, before he should leave the country, had obtained the Sultan's permission to issue a vizierial letter in his Majesty's name, which would establish their independence at once.

At the suggestion of Lord Cowley, the Porte promised to send letters to five different pashalics where there were Protestants, requiring them to act in accordance with the letter; in which was granted the privilege of toleration to all Protestant subjects alike, whether from the Armenian, Greek, Syrian, or Roman Catholic Churches, or from the Jews.

This letter was of great importance under the existing circumstances; but the privileges it conferred might all be taken away on a change of ministry. Accordingly Sir Stratford Canning, on his return to Constantinople in 1850, lost no time in commencing negotiations for a more stable basis of protection, and succeeded in obtaining an Imperial Firman with the autograph of the Sultan, in behalf of his Protestant subjects; giving to their civil organization all the stability and permanency that the older Christian communities enjoyed in Turkey. It was issued in November, 1850; and translated into English, reads as follows:--

"To my Vizier, Mohammed Pasha, Prefect of the Police in Constantinople, the honorable Minister and glorious Councillor, the model of the world, and regulator of the affairs of the community; who, directing the public interests with sublime prudence, consolidating the structure of the empire with wisdom, and strengthening the columns of its prosperity and glory, is the recipient of every grace from the Most High. May God prolong his glory!

"When this sublime and august mandate reaches you, let it be known, that hitherto those of my Christian subjects who have embraced the Protestant faith, in consequence of their not being under any specially appointed superintendence, and in consequence of the patriarchs and primates of their former sects, which they have renounced, naturally not being able to attend to their affairs, have suffered much inconvenience and distress. But in necessary accordance with my imperial compassion, which is the support of all, and which is manifested to all classes of my subjects, it is contrary to my imperial pleasure that any one class of them should be exposed to suffering.

"As, therefore, by reason of their faith, the above mentioned are already a separate community, it is my royal compassionate will, that, for the facilitating the conducting of their affairs, and that they may obtain ease and quiet and safety, a faithful and trustworthy person from among themselves, and by their own selection, should be appointed, with the title of 'Agent of the Protestants,' and that he should be in relations with the Prefecture of the Police.

"It shall be the duty of the Agent to have in charge the register of the male members of the community, which shall be kept at the police; and the Agent shall cause to be registered therein all births and deaths in the community. And all applications for passports and marriage licenses, and all petitions on affairs concerning the community that are to be presented to the Sublime Porte, or to any other department, must be given in under the official seal of the Agent.

"For the execution of my will, this my imperial sublime mandate and august command has been especially issued and given from my sublime chancery.

"Hence thou, who art the minister above named, according as it has been explained above, wilt execute to the letter the preceding ordinance; only, as the collection of the capitation tax and the delivery of passports are subject to particular regulations, you will not do anything contrary to those regulations. You will not permit anything to be required of them, in the name of fee, or on other pretences, for marriage licenses, or registration. You will see to it that, like the other communities of the empire, in all their affairs, such as procuring cemeteries and places of worship, they should have every facility and every needed assistance. You will not permit that any of the other communities shall in any way interfere with their edifices, or with their worldly matters or concerns, or, in short, with any of their affairs, either secular or religious, that thus they may be free to exercise the usages of their faith.

"And it is enjoined upon you not to allow them to be molested an iota in these particulars, or in any others; and that all attention and perseverance be put in requisition to maintain them in quiet and security. And, in case of necessity, they shall be free to make representations regarding their affairs through their Agent to the Sublime Porte.

"When this my imperial will shall be brought to your knowledge and appreciation, you will have this august decree registered in the necessary departments, and then give it over to remain in the hands of these my subjects. And see you to it, that its requirements be always in future performed in their full import.

"Thus know thou, and respect my sacred signet! Written in the holy month of Moharrem, 1267 .

"Given in the well guarded city Constantiniyeh."

At the request of Sir Stratford Canning, thirteen of the leading Protestants called upon him, on the occasion of his procuring this charter of rights; and for nearly an hour he addressed them on their duties and responsibilities, in their present position in the empire. He told them that they ought to thank God that they were the first to be relieved from aronnies, le Gapen?ois, l'Embrunois, le Brian?onnais, de la Durance ? l'Is?re, troupeau monstrueux de croupes vertes ou de pitons chauves dont Dieu seul conna?t tous les noms!

Le train pour la Mure venant de Grenoble roule, durant je ne sais combien de kilom?tres, le long de cette fente ?norme procur?e par le Drac au-dessus duquel on a l'illusion d'?tre suspendu. Clameur d'en bas qui ne s'interrompt jamais et qui peut devenir tout ? coup immense au temps des pluies ou de la fonte des neiges.

Existe-t-il un p?lerinage aussi merveilleusement achemin? par l'admiration pr?alable du voyageur? Je ne le pense pas. Autrefois, ce n'?tait pas ainsi. La route suivie par les diligences ne c?toyait pas l'ab?me. Il a fallu cette voie de fer unique, chef-d'oeuvre des hommes, pour que nous f?t r?v?l? ce chef-d'oeuvre de Dieu, connu seulement alors de quelques paysans. Je l'ai revu, au retour, ?clair?, cette fois, par la pleine lune, criblant de ses rayons d'argent le paysage immense et je croyais ?tre en Paradis.

EN PARADIS.

Contradiction ineffable! On croira de plus en plus, sachant qu'on ne comprendra jamais; on esp?rera de plus en plus, assur? de ne jamais atteindre; on aimera de plus en plus ce qui ne peut jamais ?tre poss?d?.

Mais combien vaines, lamentablement infirmes, sont les analogies litt?raires ou conjectures m?taphysiques d'un pauvre ?crivain pench? sur l'insondable et n'obtenant pas m?me l'?nergie d'intuition qu'il faudrait pour discerner, un instant, au risque de mourir d'effroi, le vertigineux ab?me de l'Inintelligence contemporaine!

Assur?ment il en sera ainsi et plus d'un po?te s'?tonnera d'avoir ?t?, ? son insu, tellement l'ami de Dieu. Mais faudra-t-il, ? cause des commandements inobserv?s, qu'il soit confondu avec les m?diocres? Cette punition serait ?norme et la pens?e en est monstrueuse. La v?rit?, infiniment probable, c'est que les uns et les autres prendront d'eux-m?mes l'?tage qui leur convient, avec un discernement admirable.

Et tous, je l'ai dit, monteront ensemble comme une temp?te sans accalmie, la temp?te bienheureuse de l'interminable fin des fins, une assomption de cataractes d'amour, et tel sera le Jardin de Volupt?, l'ind?finissable Paradis nomm? dans les ?critures.

J'ai rappel? le paradis de M?lanie et de Maximin. Voil? le mien, tel quel. Puisse-t-il, comme le leur, faire descendre chez moi la Vierge Marie!

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