l at Constantinople confirmed
the impression that they had not been recalled too soon. They had gone
out through the snows and ice of winter, and without change or rest had
come back through the scorching suns of midsummer--five months of rough,
uncivilized life, faring and sharing with their beasts of burden,
well-nigh out of communication with the civilized world, but never out
of danger. It seemed but just to themselves and to others who might need
them, that change and rest be given them.

It would scarcely be permissible to express in words the obligation to
our American Minister, Hon. A. W. Terrell, at Constantinople, without
whose unremitting care and generous aid our work could not have been
accomplished. And, indeed, so many were the duties of that difficult and
delicate field that it seemed the help of no one hand or heart could be
spared. We felt that we had them all; from the palace of the Sultan to
beloved Robert College, from the American Legation to the busy rooms of
the American Board, with its masterly treasurer, Peet, were the same
outstretched hands of protection and care for our little band.

They knew we had taken our lives in our hands to come to them, and with
no thought of ourselves. We had done the best we knew to accomplish the
mission so persistently sought of us in our own country.

That our work had been acceptable to those who received its results, we
knew. They had never failed to _make_ us know. If also acceptable to Him
who gave us the courage, protection, and strength to perform it, we need
care for little more.

Funds to the total amount of $116,326.01 were cabled us by Mr. Spencer
Trask's committee, all of which were placed in the hands of Mr. W. W.
Peet, treasurer of the missionary board at Constantinople. All proper
receipts were given and taken, and feeling that we had faithfully and
successfully accomplished the work we had been asked to perform, we
closed the field, and prepared to return to America.

Some days of physical rest were needful for the men of the expeditions
after reaching Constantinople before commencing their journey of
thousands of miles for home, worn as they were by exposure and incessant
labor--physical and mental. I need not attempt to say with what
gratitude I welcomed back these weary, brown-faced men and officers
from a field so difficult and so perilous; none the less did the
gratitude go out to my faithful and capable secretary, who had toiled
early