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Published: November 18th, 2014
After global warming and a second civil war devastated the former United States, two different societies rose from the ashes – the Union, a towering high-tech utopia, hugging the perimeter of the continent, and the devastated, untamed midsection known as the Ruins.
Seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor has an easy, privileged life in the Union. What she doesn't have is any idea what to do with the rest of her life. She only knows she wants to do something meaningful, to make a difference in the lives of others.
When she's kidnapped and taken into the Ruins as a pawn in a dispute involving her boyfriend, Bryce, her ideal world is turned upside down. What she learns while in the Ruins shakes her faith in everything she's ever known, from Bryce, to her family, and even the Union itself.
Now Evan must choose whether to stay with Cyrus, the sexy, resourceful survivor who believes she's in the Ruins for a reason, or return to the only life she's ever known. But when she stumbles upon a dangerous plot that threatens both worlds, her decision could tear her apart.
Its been a while since I had any real time to devote to just sitting down with a good book and falling right into their world. I find myself with some extra free time this time of year, so I was thrilled to be asked to join The Union Tour.
I will be honest it took me a few chapters to warm up to Evan, she came across a little weak, and a bit of a push over in the beginning. Like most heroines in YA novels Evan tends to act on her emotions and doesn't always have the full facts and ends up reacting before having a plan in place which ends up putting her in danger or gross over reactions to situations which leads to looking like an ass . She really starts to grow and find herself while in the ruins and realizes that maybe this is where she is suppose to be and who she is suppose to become. She is destined for more important things. While she can't ignore a possible uprising that puts both the people of the Union and the people in the Ruins in danger, she has no idea how to stop it or even how to go about formulating a plan. All Evan knows is that for her entire life everything she learned in the history books was a lie, and that people will go to great lengths to keep the ruins a secret, and now her life and the lives of those she loves are in danger.
I liked this book a lot, I thought the characters were well thought out, well rounded with great back stories. I will be honest I wasn't a big fan of Bryce there is just something about that guy I wasn't feeling it. The flow of the book was great making you excited for the events to follow leading into the second book in the series The Ruins. There was the right amount of action and adventure vs budding romance and teenage angst to keep you interested and wanting more. Highly recommend for lovers of dystopian and YA.
I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating
Check out the first three chapters for free https://www.wattpad.com/story/46383864-the-union
Buy Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23266680-the-union
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Union-T-H-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B00P0D4VHU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-union-theresa-h-hernandez/1120967864?ean=9780990868828
Powells: http://www.powells.com/book/the-union-9780990868828
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Union-Theresa-Hernandez/9780990868828


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Machinima Studios have released the trailer for "Street Fighter: Resurrection," the upcoming original series sequel to their popular web-series "Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist".
The four-episode live-action miniseries will air on the go90 mobile TV network on March 15th and is set to take place a decade after the events of the 'Fist'. The work also serves as the lead-in narrative arc to the game "Street Fighter V" which was just released a few weeks ago.
iun the game Ken and Ryu are reunited to face an ominous new threat – Charlie Nash is back, and targeting legendary Street Fighter champions in a mysterious mission.

subset: commoncrawl


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Pranams Hindu Krishna
So your saying that if I can find a quote that will say that Krsna is the cause of Vishnu and Krsna is eternal, and his form is eternal, and that he has a face and ears and eyes, that He is one with everything and different from everything simultaneously, then you will accept ?
Thats the import thing, or else I fear its just spirals into a boring "I quote this you quote that".
Improve your understanding of Gaudiya Vaishnavsim then i will discuss


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As we have been thinking about the future of Restore One, we have discussed the importance of prayer and how spiritual warfare affects us on a daily basis. Not only have I seen the effects of prayer in my personal life in so many different ways, but I have seen the difference it has made in Restore One.
I think as Christians there are times where we assume prayer is going to happen without really having to put much effort forward. Those times can almost be like a habit if you grew up in a Christian home or Christian school or grew up in church. You just kinda know you're supposed to pray. Like before a meal, before a big trip or conference, before a meeting, when you wake up or go to sleep, things like that. Prayer just happens at those points for a lot of Christians including myself.
I've been working on making prayer more constant in my day instead at just those habitual moments. I think sometimes I forget I serve a God who is all-powerful but also so reachable. Even though He is so good, and so much better than me, He wants to hear about my struggles through the day. When I put more effort to stay in communication with Him, I can hear and see the Holy Spirit in my life so much more clearly. I also began to see myself rest in Him, and not rely on my strength to get through hard situations as much.
Just like we see in our personal life the difference constant prayer makes, it's the same in a ministry. While Restore One is an organization, it's also a ministry. A ministry that sees spiritual warfare, but also just really terrible situations that can be very emotionally draining. We know the best way to not get burned out or to make it through the hard situations is to rely on His power by staying in communication with Him. That is why Restore One has decided to increase our prayer team meetings to once a week instead of once a month. We are super excited about this, and can't wait to see what God's gonna do through this time! If you are interested in joining, please see below, or please just keep us in your prayers when you can. The power of prayer is strong, and your prayers make a difference.
Much love,
Mary Soltow
Are you interested in joining the Restore One prayer team? If so, email Mary at firstname.lastname@example.com


text: Handheld aromatherapy shower heads from Aroma Sense transform your typical shower into a refreshing and invigorating spa experience. Featuring incredible water pressure and plenty of spray plate holes, you can soak up all the benefits of aromatherapy while doing something as simple as taking your daily shower. Not only does the filtration system of our handheld vitamin C shower head remove chlorine and rust from your pipes, it also encourages healthy hair and skin. Whether you need a boost of energy in the morning before heading to work or a sense of relaxation in the evening after a hard workout, Aroma Sense's handheld shower head will change your life.


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Well having had the pleasure of being off for the most of the summer, I thought I'd better slip something in before the end of August. We had a great camping trip to Cornwall and rounded it of with a regional NewFrontiers church weekend at Westpoint show ground in Exeter.
The kids enjoyed their sessions immensely, looking at world mission and there were some great sessions in the main arena with Terry Virgo bringing two notable sessions and a very animated Jeremy Simpkins on Saturday evening. I decided to forego the seminars as we had no food, so a trip to Tesco was inevitable.
There had been a session on 'Answering Difficult Questions' by Adrian Holloway, someone I had known best as an evangelist seeing many people make commitments of faith following his preaching. I was surprised to learn that during his seminar, he had been trying to reconcile the 'billions of years' associated with evolution, with the creation narrative of Genesis 1, using some old an tenuous arguments.
It concerns me, because I am hearing more and more of this within NewFrontiers and there seems to be a growing swell within the movement, ready to adopt this position .
It really perplexes me. Some of these guys stand dead firm on Scripture in the face of Islam, homosexuality, feminism and other contemporary issues, but just crumble at the knees when it comes to this issue. There's a new wave of 'progressive creationists' that have accommodated this view regardless of the cost.
I was catching up on Niddriepastor's blog from the summer and found this post last night which highlights the debate that is going on at the moment. Three helpful links, Al Mohler nailing his colours to the mast is a good one and one highlighting Sailhamer's position which I had not previously encountered.
Basically, according to Sailhamer, we have to rethink our understanding of the word translated 'beginning' in Gen 1:1, that way, you can either accommodate billions of years or if you don't like billions of years, don't worry, the new understanding also allows for that. If I have understood correctly, Sailhamer's his lexicographical gymnastics will allow for the best of both worlds.
Read my comments in Mez's post if you want to know what I think about that.
When I read or hear some new (Or old/rehashed/re-badged/re-engineered) position regarding the Genesis 1 account, I ask myself the following questions.
1. Does this position deviate from a straight forward reading / exegesis of the passage?
2. Has this position arisen in order to accommodate an extra-Biblical idea?
3. Do we have to translate any of the Hebrew words in a new, obscure or 'enlightened' way or modify my understanding of root words?
4. Do I have to try and 'insert' something into the passage which is not plainly manifest in the text or the narrative of Scripture?
5. Does a new position move the foundations that other key doctrines that stand upon, having a significant knock-on effect to the way they can be understood?
There are more I could write, but you get the idea. If you are answering 'yes' to any of the above, then warning bells should be sounding in your ears.
It's not that the world of science is at odds against the Bible, but we cannot be ignorant of the fact that a lot of popularised theories came about in order to explain a universe without God.
Sir Arthur Keith, Anthropologist and proponent of the 'Piltdown Man' Hoax has this famous quote attributed to him:
"Evolution is unproven and unprovable, but the only alternative is special creation and that would be unthinkable!"
Whether or not he actually said it is up for grabs, but I think therein lies a strong thread of what is out there today. A lot of these popular scientist do not want God. They hate God and they have ruled Him out of the equation altogether. The door has been bolted firmly shut and no-one wants to open it, otherwise they would be put out of the 'club'.
Why then is there a tour de force within the evangelical church to marry up to this thinking? What I see happening is tantamount to marrying your wife's murderer.
When all has been said and done, at the end of all time, you will stand and give account to the one who was there at the beginning. I hope you're going to be telling Him that you believed Him and no-one else.


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Halo 2: Anniversary Edition will release ahead of Halo 5, according to Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes.
Downes told GameZone that while Halo 5 isn't likely to launch until 2015, fans could expect a Halo 2 remake this year.
"I think you may be ahead of yourself on Halo 5," Downes explained.
"I wouldn't expect anything until 2015. What you can look forward to this year is an anniversary edition of Halo 2."
Downes's comments echo leaked reports on NeoGAF, which claimed that the Halo 2 remake would debut in November.
The package will reportedly contain access to an upcoming Halo 5 beta, as well as a live-action Halo TV show.
It has also been suggested that the game will feature an alternative ending.
2011's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary contained HD visuals, as well as a co-operative campaign and online multiplayer.
Watch a trailer for Halo 2 below:


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Leading Dem Firms Unite
How our collaboration with Screen Strategies is helping campaigns and setting a new standard.
In a very tough year for Democrats, we're proud to have taken the fight to Donald Trump and helped elect leaders like Carol Shea-Porter and Chris Van Hollen.
Founder Chris Talbot shares learnings about politics and technology from recent meetings in Brazil.
A nice story from Beth Fouhy at AP on the rising influence of digital media in political campaigns, with a focus on advertising – posted at RealClearPolitics. Chris Talbot quoted.
For the latest example of a website owned by someone other than who you think, check out… NewtGingrich.com. You may recall Jon Huntsman had a similar issue earlier this year… Update: American Bridge is now forwarding this URL to another not-so-conservative post on Gingrich…
by Chris Talbot e.politics' Colin Delany and I are quoted heavily in Kate Kaye's article on the Wisconsin recall elections. Check it out here: http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2093848/neglect-web-wisconsin-recall-elections


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Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Le Challenge - Bright
20 comments:
I love your cushion covers! Today I washed two I made a couple of years ago but they have faded and the white strip is no longer white. Darker and brighter colours like yours are more practical.ReplyDelete
Pretty! I like the simplicity of those squares and straight line quilting.ReplyDelete
Lovely colour combinationsReplyDelete
Love the purple and grey, it's one of my favourite colour combinations :-)ReplyDelete
Lovely design and thanks for the link to the tutorial.ReplyDelete
Brilliant bright cushions! great use of a charm pack!ReplyDelete
really nice bright cushion , perfect for the summerReplyDelete
Love this fabric, these are so prettyReplyDelete
They are beautiful and bright!! Your sister will love them!ReplyDelete
Gorgeous! Lucky sister :-) Thanks for linking to le challenge!ReplyDelete
Nice, your sister will love these! Are you getting excited June is coming soon!ReplyDelete
Very cute! Your sister is lucky! Thanks for participating in le challenge.ReplyDelete
They are really pretty cushions. How exciting to be seeing your sister soon!ReplyDelete
I love these - the fabric is perfect and gorgeous-ly bright for the months challenge. Thankyou for sharing and for leaving a smile on my face with your lovely comment! Much appreciated xReplyDelete
They are lovely! Thank you for the link to the hidden zipper closure as well :)ReplyDelete
Ooh, I love them BOTH. And they look so cheerful together!!ReplyDelete
I love bright fabrics, too! Your pillows look gorgeous!ReplyDelete
Beautiful! And that pattern matching on the back? Perfection xReplyDelete
They are beautiful! Great colours and love the backs too!ReplyDelete
Congrats on all your finishes!ReplyDelete


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This is a cute box that uses the Box #2 Bigz XL die and the Big Shot Die Cut Machine.
The card stock colors are Certainly Celery, Real Red and Basic Black. The tulips from Garden Whimsy stamp set were stamped with Real Red Ink on Certainly Celery card stock.
A 1/2" strip of Basic Black card stock was run through the Crimper tool and attached to the Box.
The lady bug was made with 1-3/8" circle punch, 1" circle punch and 1/4" circle punch. A Uni-ball Signo Gel pen was used to make the eyes of the lady bug.
Happy Stamping,


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L'Oreal Paris stepped into the Digital world with the aim of educating the elite on the different products the brand offer via different Social Media Platforms. The challenge for TNBT was to create awareness and provide education with a pinch of product learning blended with different activities for engagement to increase their overall fan following on social.
TNBT captured the true essence of the International beauty brand and positioned it on social.
A Facebook page and a YouTube Channel were created for L'Oreal Paris Pakistan where numerous activities conducted on-ground were projected on social along with a blend of different themes to keep the users hooked.
Customized landing tabs were created where users were encouraged to take part in competitions / contests and get personalized expert advice on their skin/hair concerns.
Some of the most user appreciated campaigns include the Mall Animation coverage, Experts Advice, Cannes Film Festival, Color Story – The play of colors, and Revitalift Stimulift – For younger looking skin.
TNBT succeeded in making more than 39,000 fans on Facebook with about 28,000 monthly active users.
Loyal fans are made on page with the idea of personalized response on page showing users that brand is always available for them.
With this great a number, the page has proved to be quiet a success. Given the great fan following and users love and participation on the page, L'Oreal Paris Pakistan desires to maintain its interactivity with its fans and promises to commence activities which fans can identify and associate with.
"We know we have the best beauty products. TNBT has helped us rethink how we told our story and positioned L'Oreal within the social community. TNBT has truly captured the essence of L'Oreal and nailed the creative. We're very excited about the success they've achieved on Facebook."


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Armenians and American Interests under Russia
Rev. George F. Herrick
[The American Review of Reviews, July 1916]
Politics in the Near East has long been a witches' cauldron of large dimensions. American missionaries resident at Constantinople have, by the necessities of their position, been obliged carefully to watch the stew without stirring it. Their constant service and sympathy have been given to the suffering peoples by whom they have been surrounded. They are there to help the people, who are often in dire need of help.
Watch the racial and national impact and clashing they must. They must do this the more carefully and warily when the sky is darkest and the storm clouds are most threatening.
Their friends of the West have long been calling to them, "Watchmen, what of the night? Are there any signs of dawn?" Then suddenly, when other calamities seem to be overpast, when the war with Italy and the barbarous Balkan wars are ended comes the tremendous shock and clash of this world war.
For the past two years no American in Turkey has claimed any "open vision." Those who could remain at their post have done their work under sore limitations, and the work they have done has been, in large part, giving help to those overtaken by terrible suffering. There was never yet a night so dark or a darkness so prolonged that dawn and a full day did not follow. Americans resident in Turkey have lived and worked in expectation of such a day.
On August 1, 1914, Turkey stood at the parting of the ways. Shall she join the Allies, her two old and tried friends, England and France, now linked with her ancient enemy Russia? Shall she yield to the threefold pressure of the Power that in recent years has been posing as her friend, Germany? Shall she take the middle course and keep strictly neutral in the war?
t required scarcely more than "horse sense" to see that the third course alone was the path of safety. So thought the Sultan. Such was the judgment of Yusuf Izeddin, the heir-apparent, the ablest member of the Imperial House, fallen at last the victim of his bitter enemy Enver, the Minister of War. With the Sultan and the heir-apparent agreed the Grand Vizier, the Sheikh ul Islam, and at least two others of the cabinet. But Enver and Talaat, with the compelling influence of the Germans, made a majority, and the tightening of the suicidal cord began.
For a long time the cord seemed soft as velvet. The Turks succeeded far beyond their own hopes. The glories of their brilliant past were suffering eclipse before their marvelous victories over England and France combined. They were to recover their European possessions. They were to drive Russia out of the Caucasus and extend their eastern boundary to the Caspian. They were to wrest Odessa, Sevastopol, and all the northwest coast of the Black Sea from defeated Russia, repossess Egypt and Tripoli, gain over the Mohammedans of India and become, with Persia and Afghanistan, the dominant Asiatic power.
All this was writ large in the Turkish papers of Constantinople last summer. So ended the year 1915—but hold!
The Turks chuckled over the "utter defeat" and collapse of Russia and the "fall" of the Grand Duke Nicholas in the summer of 1915, because the "defeat" was under his leadership; or was his "exile" due to the fact that his personal influence in the army was prejudicial to the safety of the Czar and his government!
It seems not to have penetrated the Turkish intelligence that when the Allies had discovered that the Turks—and Germans—had defended and guarded access to their front door, the Dardanelles, with such skill as to make forcing an entrance too costly, the natural thing to do next would be to try the back door. What if that "exile" Nicholas were getting busy with an efficiency and ampleness of preparation equal to German efficiency, all through the autumn months, to do something later on!
The Turks and Germans had, they thought, made Erzerum, their strongest Asiatic fortress, lying six thousand feet above sea level, quite impregnable to any attack by Russia, and they were taking breath in winter, ready for a spring campaign. Why did the Turks fail to guess that perhaps the Russian bear, legions of them, might choose midwinter in a Greenland climate, under masses of snow, to overleap all barriers and successfully defy all opposition to their possession of the city which was the great stronghold and defense of Turkey on the northeast?
The Turks declared the place "of no military value," after they had lost it.
The Russians took no rest till they had driven the defeated Turks southward beyond Mush, Bitlis, and Van, and had taken possession of those cities and their villages, and had also pushed northward to the Black Sea coast and then westward toward Trebizond, a city which has held a proud place in history for more than two thousand years, next to Erzerum in its value to the Turks.
Trebizond fell to Russia on April 15, two months after Erzerum. When one considers the terrain on which the Russian armies have had to operate since the fall of Erzerum and the distances they have marched in an enemy's country, what they have accomplished in these four months is simply marvelous. Trebizond is not so important a commercial port as Samsoun and, as a harbor, Sinope is incomparably better than either of these places. It is, in fact, the one fine harbor on the south shore of the Black Sea. Since the fall of Trebizond the Black Sea is potentially Russian, and the advance of the Russian armies along the south shore cannot long be effectually resisted.
The rapid movement of the Russian armies southward is still more immediately important. When Mosul, Bagdad, and the whole eastern portion of the Berlin-Bagdad railway are in Russian hands, Turkey and the Turks will be at the mercy of their mighty ancient foe. Russia has ten times the population of Turkey, and with the knowledge close at hand of the treatment their fellow Christians, the Armenians, have suffered at the hands of the Turks now in power, the mercy the Turks can hope for from Russia can best be stated in minus terms. They are trembling, and with reason, at what the near future will reveal.
What is to be the effect of these stupendous changes upon the fortunes of the Armenian people and upon the stability of American institutions in all the Near East?
As to the Armenians, one thing is already certain.
Whether this would be true if, instead of "Armenians" we were to say "Christians," remains to be seen. It may be decided in the near future. But for the Armenians the case is clear. It admits neither of discussion nor experiment. The writer, in a public utterance three years ago, declared that the stability of the Turkish Government would depend on the readiness of those in power, in fact as well as in words, hereafter to put their Christian fellow countrymen on full equality with themselves. They have never been ready to do this. How unready they were has been demonstrated with horrible and ghastly distinctness during the past year. Kindly as we may still feel toward the Turkish people, the case against their government is closed. Judgment is pronounced. Christians of every race refuse to submit to independent Turkish rule.
The Armenians, a race with an honorable record in history extending back more than two thousand years, are still a live and virile people. The Turks undertook their extermination. The undertaking was impossible of accomplishment. There are now living, scattered in many lands, close on three million Armenians. A large part of Armenia has already passed under Russian rule. Before the war the Armenian population of South Russia was very large. Probably nearly two million Armenians are now Russian subjects. The portions of Turkey already conquered by Russia have a large Armenian population.
Among the hundreds of thousands—half a million probably in all—scattered in Persia, Egypt, America, and other countries, many of that people will return to their beloved fatherland when they feel sure that they will be safe and prosper under Christian rule. They count on the growing liberality of the Russian Government in recent years.
Some of the largest and most intelligent and progressive portions of the Armenian race have had their homes south of the Taurus range of mountains. It is yet too soon to tell what is to be the future of that portion of the Turkish dominions, or how the final settlement at the end of the war will leave the Armenians of that region.
Concerning the future of Constantinople the prophet who will speak with authority has not yet received his commission. There are now at least 125,000 Armenians and 200,000 Greeks in that city.
Coming to the question which more immediately concerns Americans, the first query which will arise in many minds will be, "Will not Russian rule be prejudicial to American interests, especially to missionary work in the provinces newly acquired by that government?"
It is well known that till recent years American missionaries, deprecated any encroachment of Russian power into Turkey. A glance backward will help to understand the position of the early missionaries, and a consideration of events and changes which have taken place in recent years will furnish us with grounds for our confidence that the position and work of Americans in those lands will be stronger than ever in the past.
The writer's personal acquaintance with conditions in Turkey began in 1859. Then, and for many years thereafter, it was not permitted American missionaries even to pass through Russia on their way to Persia or to Van. "My imperial master, the Czar of all the Russias, will not permit American missionaries to gain a foothold for influence in Turkey," said the Russian Ambassador at Constantinople three-quarters of a century ago.
Years later, General Ignatieff, then Russian Ambassador in Constantinople, was asked to order the visé of the passport of an American missionary who wished to pass through Russia on his way to Persia. When he saw that the profession of the gentleman was left blank, he demanded that the blank be filled out. The American Minister replied: "The gentleman is an American citizen. He is to make no stop on Russian soil. He cannot, therefore, exercise his profession, whatever it be, in Russia. I have ordered his passport made out in this form. Kindly see that it is viséd." The Ambassador winced at seeing the corner he was in and for once yielded.
In 1895-1896 the Turks charged the American missionaries—falsely, as they afterward learned—with fostering Armenian sedition, and in March, 1897, they sent Rev. George P. Knapp from Bitlis to Alexandretta under guard, and were prevented from expelling him from the country by the effective interposition of Mr. Riddle, then American Chargé d Affaires, supported by the British Ambassador, Sir Philip Currie. It was then that the Russian Ambassador, Count Nelidoff, said to the Grand Vizier, who complained of the American missionaries, "Why don't you send them out of the country?" An edict for their expulsion was issued by the Sultan. Sir Philip Currie promptly informed the Grand Vizier that such an act would" incur the displeasure of his government! The edict was suppressed and its issue denied. The denial furnished the reason for the writer to seek an interview with the keeper of the archives of the British embassy, with the result that the fact above stated concerning the edict of expulsion was verified.
This was twenty years ago. Till that time Americans resident in Turkey felt little desire to see Turkish shiftiness replaced by rigid Russian intolerance. Their hopes for reforms in the interest of the Christian population of Asia Minor, based on Article 61 of the Berlin treaty of 1878, had been disappointed by the failure of Great Britain's efforts, though such able men as Sir Charles Wilson and Lieutenant (the late Earl) Kitchener were sent into the country.
German influence soon gained the ascendency. This became very evident to Americans nearly ten years ago, in the case of what was there called "the Chester scheme" for building some two thousand kilometres of railway in Asia Minor. The plan was foredoomed to failure, but not at all because of Turkish opposition. The scheme, if carried out, would have been a great boon to Turkey. But German influence, and concessions they had already obtained, completely blocked the American plans. Those plans, if carried out, would have been a serious, check on German influence. Indeed, combined with English and French influence, would have checkmated Germany, and the Turks would not have been on the side of Germany in the present war.
Coming to the problem that now faces Americans and their institutions in the Near East, under Russian rule, the first thing to be noticed is the very great change which has taken place in recent years in the condition of those institutions. Property investment in buildings and their grounds was small in the early years. There was no stamp of permanence in the plants of schools and hospitals. All that has changed. Even our embassy was lodged in rented buildings till less than ten years ago. Our consulate is still so lodged. The separate incorporated bodies that represent American missionary, educational, and philanthropic work in what we have known as Turkey—not including Egypt —are twenty-four, viz.:
1. The American Board.
2. * Woman's Board of Missions, Boston.
3. * Woman's Board of Missions of the Interior.
4. * Woman's Board of Missions for the Pacific.
5. Euphrates College.
6. Central Turkey College, including Hospital.
7. * St. Paul's College, Tarsus.
8. * Anatolia College, Marsovan.
9. * International College, Smyrna.
10. Thessalonica Agricultural and Industrial Institute.
11. American Bible Society.
12. Bible House, Constantinople,
13. American Tract Society.
14. Presbyterian Board of Missions.
15. Presbyterian Woman's Board of Missions.
16. American Friends' Mission.
17. National Armenia Relief Association.
18. Reformed Church in America.
19. Young Men's Christian Association.
20. Young Women's Christian Association.
21. American Hospital, Konia.
22. Robert College.
23. Constantinople College (for girls).
24. Syrian Protestant College.
[* Working with and under the general direction of the American Board.]
Besides the above, there are thirty-four institutions, not separately incorporated, under the direction of the American Board:
The College at Marash.
The Collegiate Institute at Smyrna.
The Anatolia (Collegiate ) School at Marsovan.
High schools at Gedik Pasha, Constantinople, at Adabazar, at Brusa, at Talas, Caesarea, at Sivas, at Aintab, at Adana, at Hadjin, at Bitlis, at Van, at Erzerum, and at Mardin.
Theological schools at Marash, at Marsovan, and at Mardin.
Collegiate and Theological Institute at Samokov, in Bulgaria.
High school (to become a college) at Van.
High schools at Barderag, at Sivas, at Talas, Caesarea, at Erzerum, and two industrial schools at Oorfa, and schools at Trebizond and Ordoo, the latter under native control.
At Marsovan, at Talas, Caesarea, at Sivas, at Harpoot, at Van, at Adana, at Mardin, and at Diarbekir.
The reason no church or other ecclesiastical buildings are included in this list is that, while in the early years of American missionary work in Turkey the Protestant communities were aided pecuniarily in the erection of their churches and common school buildings, this property is now owned and controlled by the native communities.
No details are here given of the great work of the Bible Society, of the publication and other work centered at the Bible House, or of the most important and extended work of the Presbyterian Board in Syria.
The American money expended in the establishment and administration of these institutions during the eighty-five years of their existence has been nearly $40,000,000. They represent to-day in actual ownership of property a little over $8,000,000, and their actual yearly running expenses, in addition to receipts from native sources, were, before the war, just about $1,000,000.
Only six of these institutions have as yet come under Russian rule, but the six institutions at Harpoot, Diarbekir, and Mardin are likely also to come under Russian rule.
The attitude of Russian officials toward Americans in charge of those institutions is all that can be desired and furnishes a reassuring promise for the future. In view of the close relation formed between Russia and England and France, the relation of that great empire to Americans in Turkey has totally changed. In any event, American institutions in that land will, it is believed, be safer under Russian than they would be under German rule.
The hour of disillusion for the Turks has struck. It is the crucial hour for their government, perhaps the hour of doom. For the people it may be a new beginning, the significance of which they can as yet but very imperfectly estimate. Russia has some thirty million Moslem subjects, peaceful and prosperous like the Moslem subjects of Great Britain, France, and Holland. The Turks are enduring intolerable suffering as the result of the entrance of their government into the war. The return of peace will find them stripped of all that makes life worth living. In despair they will cling to any sincere offers of help. Such offers will be made by those they are now told to count their enemies. But Americans only will be so situated that they can give them both the material and the spiritual aid of which they will be conscious they are in dire need. It may be our privilege and our glory to take the lead in saving not only an ancient Christian race, but a vigorous Moslem race also from destruction.
© J. Fred MacDonald, 2013
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A Novel of World War One
By J. Fred MacDonald