ple who have for years been generous givers to the cause of Foreign Missions. I have been asked questions like these: Is there a solid foundation established by missions in Persia? What has the Gospel done? What changes have taken place? What are some of the fruits of our mission work over there? What are some of the temporal improvements? Very recently Rev. 0. N. Hunt of Edwardsburg, Mich., wrote the author asking what is the moral condition of Persia to-day in comparison to what it was when the missionaries began their work? Questions like these prompted the author to write this small book. Its object is to encourage the mission spirit; to quicken and kindle anew the fires of divine love in the hearts of all those to whom it will come; to promote and advance the blessed Gospel of our Lord and His Christ; to hasten the day when millions that now sit in darkness and the shadow of death may set their faces toward the light. Oh, Jehovah of the East! Who was once born in the East, Who preached and was crucified in the East, Remarks: The author wishes to say that, in the survey of modern Persia, free use was made of the International Encyclopedia, especially in the matter of dates. Dr. Philip Schaff's Church History was also consulted in the account given of Mohammed. The leaves of the trees are the gift of the poor. INTRODUCTION THIS book is by a native, who knows at first hand of what he writes. He writes of those features and facts of Persia as a country and a people in which an intelligent American is most sure to be interested. Very ancient and renowned among the Asiatics, Persia, persisting in her nationality and gradually improving her condition excites enquiry abroad. In this volume we have a view of her geographical divi- ́ sions, her form of government, system of taxation, methods of merchandise, educational con- . ditions and the state of religion. The author also particularizes and portrays the character, creed and course of Mohammed: how Moslemism was propagated by violence and perpetuated by deceit, and of such false doctrines as hatred toward enemies, and rewards in heaven and hell. The reader is informed of Bobeism, a new sect which has arisen in opposition to government and orthodox Mohammedanism. The book was written for the reading public, and by its style, movement and contents is calculated not only to enlarge one's general knowledge of the land of the Shah, but to quicken interest in the enterprise of Chris tian Missions, which are the chief hope of the country. REV. JOHN L. WITHROW, D.D., LL.D. Ex-Moderator of General Assembly, Chicago, Ill., July 19, '97. Mr. Mooshie G. Daniel is an excellent representative of the Syrian nationality and the Nestorian Church. He has completed his course of study in McCormick Theological Seminary, and it is his purpose to return to Persia, his native country, as a missionary. His little work on Persia is quite interesting, and is written with full knowledge of all matters of which it treats, The author first wrote part of it in Persian, and with the assistance of fellow-students has rendered it into good English. It contains information not readily accessible to most, and is pervaded by a fine spirit. The beliefs and practices of the religious sects of Persia are described with the intimate knowledge of one who is a native of the country, and has given special attention to the subject. Mr. Daniel's little book has received commendation from excellent judges. REV. WM. CAVEN, D.D., LL.D., Toronto, 23rd June, 1898. |