A Letter written on Jul 24, 1848

Seri. July. 24. 1848.

My dear Uncle.

I am very happy to comply with your invitation to write you a letter. More than a year has passed since, since you gave me the parting hand, but I have not forgotten your kindness and attention. Most gratefully do I remember every expression of affection from numerous friends in my father land, and my prayer is, that He who knows the wants of all, will graciously supply their need, especially do I desire that the blessings of his grace may be granted them, that they may all be prepared to enjoy the society of sinless spirits in a better world.

Have you followed your brother Henry's daughter, in all her journeyings, & have you learned any thing of my new-found, my very pleasant home?

The waters of the broad Atlantic, the sea that washes the shore of Europe & Africa, were crossed in a little more than 2 months, including a delay of a few days in that interesting spot, Malta, where we saw many splendid specimens of ancient architecture, the work of the Knights of St. John.

We anchored the 24. August in Smyrna, spent 2 or 3 days there: thence we proceeded to Constantinople, remained there a few days, & then took our last voyage upon the great waters. We had a very pleasant passage upon the stormy Black Sea, & reached Trebizond, a seaport, on the South east corner of this sea, the 10th Sept. Thence we commenced our land journey, of about 600 miles, on horseback. The first part of the journey was mountainous, but I enjoyed this as well as the remainder, very much. We travelled from 20 to 25 miles a day, usually, & spent many nights in a tent. My travelling companions, from Trebizond, were Mr. Cochran, & Mrs. Cochran, from western New York. They were detained in Erzeroom during the winter, on account of Mrs. C's health - and I completed the journey in company with two of the members of our mission.

You may be interested to hear of our associates here, of our work, & of our location. Mr. Perkins, the oldest member of the mission: belongs to Springfield, is a graduate of Amherst. He is engaged in translating. Mrs. P. is from Vt. Mr. Stocking, (in whose family I have a very pleasant home) is from Middletown, Connecticut. Mrs. C. is from Colebrook, the same state. Mr. S. has the care of the village schools, of which there are about 40. I have enjoyed much in going with him to visit schools in various villages - to be sure, the schools here, are very different from American schools - but much is learned from the Scriptures, as this was almost the only book, translated into a modern language, until recently. Mr. S. also preaches in the native language, with great acceptance. He declares the truths of God's word, with boldness & power.

Dr. Wright is a physician and a preacher. He belongs to Vermont. Mrs. W. is from Whitehall. N. York. Dr. W. beside preaching has the care of the care of a school for Mussulman boys, & receives the Mussulman guests, that call, as he speaks Turkish well. Mr. Stoddard, from Northampton, Mass. had the charge of the Male Seminary, but was obliged to leave this summer, on account of impaired health. Mrs. Stoddard is the daughter of Dr. Briggs of Marblehead.

Miss Fiske of Shelburne, has the charge of the Fem. Seminary and I am so honored to be associated with one of the most worthy, most excellent of companions. Oroomiah is the name of the plain, on which is a city of the same name, in which is our home. Seri, the place, where we spend a few weeks, in the heat of the summer, is on a mountain side, about 5 or 6 miles from the city. Dr. Perkins, & Mr. Cochran reside here. Dr. W. & Mr. Stocking at the city. From the mountain, we have a very fine view of the plain below, & of the broad, blue Lake Oroomiah, to the East of it. The waters of this lake are very salt. & the soil for some distance around, is quite barren. The extensive plain is encircled on three sides, by mountains, but the country is destitute of the dense forests, found in A. The Persians are very fond of trees, & plant them by their numerous water-courses. For several months in the warm season, rain is scarcely known, & the heat of the sun is almost as penetrating as in India. Hence the necessity of irrigation - every field & tree must be watered, or they will not flourish. But as this is the business of the people, they are very skilful [sic] in it. Channels are dug in various directions, in, & about the field, & a practised eye can tell at once, how the streams will turn to the best account.

Wheat is raised in great abundance on the plain - some vegetables are also found here, & various kinds of fruits, as apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, & many kinds of grapes. This is a land of plenty for physical wants, & when blessings of civil & religious freedom are theirs, and the fear of God fills the hearts of these people, then may we hope that it shall be like a garden of the Lord.

I must leave you, though I should like to say more. I shall be happy to hear from you, & all our family friends and relatives. Love to Uncles, Aunts and cousins, to your own family in particular. I should like to hear from Jane.

May you all be preparing to inhabit that world, of which the Lamb is the light thereof. May we all delight in doing the will of God, & at last enjoy his presence above.

Your affectionate, niece, Mary Susan R.