A History of Protestant missions in the near East

294 History of Protestant Missions in the Near East
against Islam and heathenism. In their literature we find
different views on most doctrinal questions, with the exception
of the dogmas of the dual nature and of the inspiration
of the Bible. Thus transubstantiation is both defended and
attacked. There is,
on the other hand, a general practical
tendency to lay stress on simple faith in the crucified and
risen Saviour. Even greater importance
is attached to works
of the law.
Fasts hold the largest place in their ecclesiastical
life, though vows and pilgrimages are almost equally important.
The priests are regarded as successors of the Levitical
priesthood. They are, however, not ordinarily called
priests, but go by the name of kasha, that is, elder, presbyter.
Unfortunately for the Syrian Church, Kussia, the nearest
Christian country, has proved, especially in the last half century,
an attraction not only to honest labouring men, but also
to the priests, who make tours among the superstitious peasants
of Southern Russia, and, under the pretense of collecting
money for some church, saint's shrine, or miracle-working
image, receive thousands of rubles, which they afterwards
squander in riotous living. In Russia they appear in the guise
of piety, but they come home as godless mockers. The ordaining
of such men as " priests " or " deacons," before they
set out upon their predatory excursions, is a chief source of
income of the bishops, the high fees charged for ordination
being willingly paid, since the title of priest pays so well.
The opening up of Western Persia has enabled these itinerant
beggars to extend their collecting tours far and wide over the
Christian world.
PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN PERSIA
1. The work of the American Board} 1834-1870
The American Board began
its work in Persia among the
small, courageous Syrian people, and there it continued to
'Perkins, "Missionary Life in Persia." Shedd, "Islam and the Oriental
Churches." Jewett, " Twenty-five Years in Persia. " Marsh, " A Tennessean
in Persia." Biographies of Stoddard, Lobdell, Rhea, and of Fidelia Fiske
(" Woman and her Saviour in Persia; " " Faith Working in Love ").