with notions that will take them away from us to foreign countries. On
the other hand there were many parents eager to have their children get
learning. So schools began. Books and writing material were so
expensive and scarce for a time, that a canvas with the alphabet
printed on it was stretched on the wall. Thirty or more children could
stand before this canvas and study. For those who were learning to
write boxes of sand were provided. Herein written language was traced.
There are to-day seventy schools for children in the district of
Oroomiah. The population of this district is nearly half a million.
Some of the schools are self-supporting, while in others the teacher's
salaries are paid by the missionaries. These schools are like a garden
of flowers in a desert. They have a very strong moral and elevating
influence in a community. It is generally believed by Christian workers
there that there is no better foundation for the future of the church
than these schools. In them are taught three languages, a little
geography, mathematics and the Bible. Nearly all the students can
repeat from memory the ten commandments, the Lord's prayer, and creed
of the apostles. The chief aim is to teach the fear of God. A good many
students are converted in school. After school some of the students go
among their neighbors in the evening to read the Bible to them. The
teachers are chosen by the board of education. One important rule
governing the choice is that the applicant must be a regular member of
the church. The teachers are very devoted and faithful to their work.
They consider that their work among the children is similar to a
pastor's work among his people. They watch after their pupils in school
and out as a shepherd cares for his flock. A monthly meeting is held
for teachers at which best methods of teaching are discussed. One of
the principal subjects considered is, how to develop spirituality among
the pupils. These meetings are refreshing to the teachers, and they
return to their work full of the love of Christ, zealous to spread His
truth. Sometimes a religious mid-week meeting is held in the
schoolhouse for students only. These meetings often bear blessed fruit.
In one such meeting in a preparatory school over which the writer held
supervision, thirteen boys of ages from thirteen to sixteen years, were
converted. These boys remained after the meeting closed and, touched
with the Spirit of God, they prayed with tears in