Part 25

Land of Fraternite, Brave France, turn not away! Shall blood thy lilies stain? Wilt bear the curse of Cain? Wake! Wake! Wake! For God and glory's sake! On a ghastly funeral pyre, Brave men are burned with fire; God calls to France, the free, "Thy brother, where is he?" Lest God in wrath requite, Awake, befriend the right!

IV.

Where is good Frederick's son When evil deeds are done? Shall prisons reek and rot, His mother's blood speak not? Haste! Haste! Haste! Time runs too long to waste. If halts the Kaiser dumb, Let all the people come. Your oath must sacred stand, Treaties of Fatherland; Victims of Turk and Kurd, Rest on your plighted word.

V.

Your sisters' shame and blood Cry out to England's God. Slain on the church's floor, Their blood flowed out the door. Speak! Speak! Speak! The strong must help the weak. Leave Turkish bonds unsold; Betray not Christ for gold. Let the Moslem dragon feel Once more Saint George's heel. England, awake, awake! World, hear, for Jesus' sake!

Newark, N.J.

ARMENIA.

By Geo. W. Crofts.

Tune: "Maryland, My Maryland."

Where'er thy martyr blood has run Armenia! Shed by the fierce Mohammedan, Armenia! There nations gather in their grief-- There would they bring in swift relief-- Oh, may thy agony be brief, Armenia!

God's eye of pity glances down, Armenia! He sees thy rudely broken crown, Armenia! His heart is touched with all thy woes, His mighty arm will interpose, He'll save thee from thy cruel foes, Armenia!

All o'er thy verdant plains shall spread, Armenia! The golden grain where thou hast bled, Armenia! Thy harvest song shall yet arise To him who rules in yonder skies, Whose ear has heard thy bitter cries, Armenia!

America extends to thee, Armenia! The cordial of her sympathy, Armenia! And every soul in this free land Would give to thee the helping hand, And near thee in thy sorrow stand, Armenia!

In this dark hour be brave and strong, Armenia! The right shall triumph over wrong, Armenia! 'Twill not be long till thou shalt see The glorious dawn of liberty, When thou shalt be forever free, Armenia!

ARMENIAN HYMN.

By Alice Stone Blackwell.

[From the Armenian of Nerses the Graceful; born 1102, died 1172.]

O Dayspring, Sun of righteousness, shine forth with light for me! Treasure of mercy, let my soul thy hidden riches see! Thou before whom the thoughts of men lie open in thy sight, Unto my soul, now dark and dim, grant thoughts that shine with [ light! O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Almighty One in Three, Care-taker of all creatures, have pity upon me! Awake, O Lord, awake to help, with grace and power divine; Awaken those who slumber now, like Heaven's host to shine! O Lord and Saviour, life-giver, unto the dead give life, And raise up those that have grown weak and stumbled in the strife! O Skillful Pilot! Lamp of light, that burneth bright and clear! Strength and assurance grant to me, now hid away in fear. O Thou that makest old things new, renew me and adorn; Rejoice we with salvation, Lord, for which I inly mourn. Giver of good, unto my sins be thy forgiveness given! Lead Thy disciples, Heavenly King, unto the flocks of Heaven. Defeat the evil husbandman that soweth tares and weeds; Wither and kill in me the fruits of all his evil seeds! O Lord, grant water to my eyes, that they may shed warm tears To cleanse and wash away the sin that in my soul appears! On me, now hid in shadow deep, shine forth, O glory bright! Sweet juice, quench thou my soul's keen thirst! Show me the path [ of light! Jesus, whose name is love, with love crush thou my stony heart; Bedew my spirit with thy blood, and bid my griefs depart! O thou that even in fancy art so sweet, Lord Jesus Christ, Grant that with Thy reality my soul may be sufficed! When thou shalt come again to earth, and all thy glory see, Upon that dread and awful day, O Christ, remember me! Thou that redeemest men from sin, O Saviour, I implore, Redeem him who now praiseth Thee, to praise Thee evermore.

Dorchester, Mass.

Miss Alice Stone Blackwell is a noble Boston woman who is greatly interested in the Armenians. She has written many articles and poems, and done much toward arousing public sentiment throughout the United States in behalf of the Armenians.

The author of this book esteems it a privilege to offer his personal thanks, as well as those of his persecuted nation, to Miss Blackwell, by whose kind permission the following poems from her book, "Armenian Poems," are here reprinted.

THE LAMENT OF MOTHER ARMENIA.

I.

In alien lands they roam, my children dear; Where shall I make appeal, with none to hear? Where shall I find them? Far away from me My sons serve others, thralls in slavery.

Chorus.

Oh, come, my children, back to me! Come home, your motherland to see!

II.

Ages have passed, no news of them I hear; Dead, dead are they, my sons that knew not fear. I weep, the blood is frozen in my veins; No one will cure my sorrows and my pains.

Chorus.

III.

My blood is failing and my heart outworn, My face forever mournful and forlorn; To my dark grave with grief I shall descend, Longing to see my children to the end.

Chorus.

IV.

O wandering shepherd, you whose mournful song Rings through the valleys as you pass along! Come, let us both, with many a bitter tear, Weep for the sad death of our children dear!

Chorus.

V.

Crane of the fatherland, fly far away, Fly out of sight, beyond the setting day; My last sad greetings to my children bear, For my life's hope has died into despair!

Chorus.

LIBERTY.

Michael Ghazarian Nalbandian was born in Russian Armenia in 1830; graduated at the University of St. Petersburg with the title of Professor; was active as a teacher, author, and journalist; fell under suspicion for his political opinions, and underwent a rigorous imprisonment of three years, after which he was exiled to the province of Sarakov, and died there, in 1866, of lung disease contracted in prison. It is forbidden in Russia to possess a picture of Nalbandian; but portraits of him, with his poem on "Liberty" printed around the margin, are circulated secretly.

I.

When God, who is forever free, Breathed life into my earthly frame,-- From that first day, by his free will When I a living soul became,-- A babe upon my mother's breast, Ere power of speech was given to me, Even then I stretched my feeble arms Forth to embrace thee, Liberty!

II.

Wrapped round with many swaddling bands, All night I did not cease to weep, And in the cradle, restless still, My cries disturbed my mother's sleep. "O mother!" in my heart I prayed, "Unbind my arms and leave me free!" And even from that hour I vowed To love thee ever, Liberty!

III.

When first my faltering tongue was freed, And when my parents' hearts were stirred With thrilling joy to hear their son Pronounce his first clear-spoken word, "Papa, mamma," as children use, Were not the names first said by me; The first word on my childish lips Was thy great name, O Liberty!

IV.

Liberty answered from on high The sovereign voice of Destiny: "Wilt thou enroll thyself henceforth A soldier true of Liberty? The path is thorny all the way, And many trials wait for thee; Too strait and narrow is this world For him who loveth Liberty."

V.

"Freedom!" I answered, "on my head Let fire descend and thunder burst; Let foes against my life conspire, Let all who hate thee do their worst: I will be true to thee till death; Yea, even upon the gallows tree The last breath of a death of shame Shall shout thy name, O Liberty!"

THE WANDERING ARMENIAN TO THE SWALLOW.

By C. A. Totochian.

I.

O swallow, gentle swallow, Thou lovely bird of spring! Say, whither art thou flying So swift on gleaming wing?

II.

Fly to my birthplace, Ashdarag, The spot I love the best; Beneath my father's roof-tree, O swallow, build thy nest.

III.

There dwells afar my father, A mournful man and gray, Who for his only son's return Waits vainly, day by day.

IV.

If thou shouldst chance to see him, Greet him with love from me; Bid him sit down and mourn with tears His son's sad destiny.

V.

In poverty and loneliness, Tell him, my days are passed: My life is only half a life. My tears are falling fast.

VI.

To me, amid bright daylight, The sun is dark at noon; To my wet eyes at midnight Sleep comes not, late or soon.

VII.

Tell him that, like a beauteous flower Smit by a cruel doom. Uprooted from my native soil, I wither ere my bloom.

VIII.

Fly on swift wing, dear swallow, Across the quickening earth, And seek in fair Armenia The village of my birth.

NOTICE.

The author of this book delivers lectures on the following subjects:

Armenia, Armenians, and the recent Atrocities. The Sultan of Turkey, Hamid the II. American Missions in Turkey. Social and Political Life in Turkey.

About 400 stereopticon views, as well as large maps, and costumes are used to illustrate the various lectures, which are highly instructive and entertaining, and never fail of interesting the most critical audiences.

The lectures are delivered upon very reasonable terms. For particulars address,

Rev. Geo. H. Filian, Cor. Eastern Parkway and Cresent St., Brooklyn, N.Y.

From the testimonials of prominent clergymen, authors, and secretaries of Y.M.C.A.'s, the following few are selected.

From Dr. R. S. Storrs, President of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

Your address to my congregation was admirable in its tone, and its entire impression upon those who heard it. Your knowledge of the facts presented is, of course, accurate and complete; and your method of presenting the facts is clear, impressive, and leaves the minds instructed and the hearts quickened.

From the Faculty of Chicago Theological Seminary.

This will introduce to you Rev. George H. Filian, a graduate of this Seminary, a man of true character and devotion. He has been obliged to suspend work for a time in Turkey, owing to his faithfulness in preaching the truth, and is recommended to the consideration of Christians throughout America.

By order of the Faculty, H. N. Scott, Secretary.

From Prof. G. B. Wilcox, D.D., Chicago Theological Seminary.

Rev. G. H. Filian, a graduate of this Seminary in 1882, and since pastor of Armenian Evangelical Church, Marsovan, Turkey, is lecturing on Turkish missions and Turkish manners and customs. He is an exceptionally able speaker, and may with all confidence be introduced by any pastor to his congregation. I speak from long and intimate acquaintance.

G. B. Wilcox.

From Rev. John H. Barrows, D.D., Pastor First Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Geo. H. Filian, of Syria, lectured on Constantinople to my people last night, greatly interesting them. His illustrations are excellent, and he speaks with great enthusiasm. The evening's entertainment was very wholesome, and I cordially commend his worthy lecture. My people have heard him also with pleasure on "Social Life in Turkey."

From the Department Secretary Y.M.C.A. of Chicago, Illinois.

Rev. Geo. H. Filian delivered before one of our meetings his interesting lecture on "Missions in Turkey." I have never heard a speaker more interesting, and that held the attention of the audience in a greater measure than Mr. Filian. He is intelligent upon such a subject. He is versatile in expression, enthusiastic in delivery, and certainly very devout in heart.

Daniel Sloan.

From the Secretary in charge Central Building, Y.M.C.A., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Rev. Geo. H. Filian gave his stereopticon lecture on "Constantinople" before our young men last night, and I am pleased to say that it is a lecture of rare interest and enjoyment. The views are beautiful and very instructive, as they are rarely thrown upon a screen. Mr. Filian has the advantage of speaking from actual experience, and his eloquent words, devoted spirit, and fund of humor quickly win the attention and sympathy of any audience.

Arthur B. Wood.

From Rev. Henry Van Dyke, D.D., Pastor of the Brick Church, New York.

Your lecture before our Young Men's Society on Monday was a decided success. Every one was interested in what you had to say, and the pictures were excellent. We shall be glad when the time comes to have you with us again.

From Rev. George M. Stone, D.D., Hartford.

Mr. Filian is thoroughly intelligent on the whole Eastern question, and gives a view of Armenia and its present trial which is exceedingly valuable.

From A. C. Dixon, D.D., Pastor Hanson Place Baptist Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Rev. George H. Filian has lectured twice in the Hanson Place Baptist church, and it gives me pleasure to say that his lectures are interesting and instructive. They stir the heart to work and pray for the relief of persecuted Armenia.

From Louis Albert Banks, D.D., Pastor of Hanson Place M. E. Church, Brooklyn, N.Y.

I take great pleasure in saying that the Rev. Geo. H. Filian, who has spoken from the platform at Hanson Place M. E. church in behalf of the Armenian Christians, and also lectured in our church on Constantinople, is a very eloquent and earnest speaker, who will attract attention and arouse interest anywhere.

NOTES

[1] The word "Armenian" is not altogether indicative of race, it refers more particularly to those who are Christians. Any who have forsaken the faith and become Mohammedans are no longer regarded as Armenians, but are Turks.

[2] The above description is taken literally from a report of the British Vice-Consul of Erzeroum. Copies are in possession of the diplomatic representatives of the powers at Constantinople. The scene occurred in the Village of Semal before the massacres, during the normal condition of things.

[3] Extracts from letters are left unsigned for fear of endangering the writers' lives.

End of Project Gutenberg's Armenia and Her People, by George H. Filian