Public-domain ebook
Modern Persia
Language: en4,576 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: History - Other·History - Religious
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #21512.
About this book
The work is a missionary‑focused survey of nineteenth‑century Persia, written by Daniel Mooshie G. to answer the many questions raised by curious readers, journalists, and supporters of foreign missions. It opens with a series of inquiries about the size, governance, and religious life of “modern Persia,” then moves to a defense of the author’s purpose: to correct misunderstandings, inspire missionary zeal, and highlight the spiritual and material progress achieved through Christian work. The book proceeds through a detailed outline that promises a general overview of geography, industry, and the army, followed by extensive sections on the various religions of the region, the structure of the royal family, and the lives of minority groups such as the Nestorians. Interwoven with this systematic treatment is a personal narrative of the author’s own upbringing, education, and ministry, illustrating the very changes he seeks to document.
The style is that of a late‑Victorian evangelist, combining factual exposition with fervent religious exhortation. The language is formal, often invoking biblical imagery and moral imperatives, while the structure reflects the scholarly conventions of the era, chapter headings, extensive footnotes, and reliance on sources like the International Encyclopedia. Readers who appreciate historical accounts of the Middle East framed through a missionary lens, as well as those interested in the interplay of religion, culture, and colonial-era education, will find this volume engaging. It especially suits scholars of religious history, students of Persian society in the 1800s, and anyone drawn to narratives of personal faith amid cultural transformation.
The opening · free to read
Those who are interested in politics and government, have asked: Is modern Persia a province of Turkey? Is it as large as the state of Michigan? Is the king still absolute as in ancient times? Have the laws of the Medes and Persians undergone no change? Are there any remains of Persia's ancient beauty and grandeur?
These, and questions like these, have been from time to time presented to the author. On the other hand it is to be observed that many journalists traveling through Persia have greatly misrepresented that country. Their limited stay made it impossible for them to acquire any accurate knowledge of the country.
It is no easy task to familiarize oneself with the ideas and customs of that ancient and historic country. To thousands in Persia the literature and history of their own land is a sealed book.
Questions the most serious and earnest have been raised by godly ministers and devoted people 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. O. 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, When wilt thou again visit 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 Scaff's Church History was also consulted in the account given of Mohammed.
The leaves of the trees, are the gift of the poors.
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