Arabella Babcock in the missionary compound in Kharpert, 1862

While preaching a religion that assumed a common parentage of humankind, the half-madness nonetheless clearly perceived themselves as distinct from (and by implication superior to) the indigenous people among whom they lived and worked, an attitude that did not escape attention.

The missionary compound in Kharpert encompassed two cemeteries: one for the local Protestants and the other for the missionaries and their families (the refusal of the Apostolic church authorities to permit the burial in their cemeteries of those who espoused Protestant views had been a major impetus for the formation of the Evangelical community). When little, the missionary children did not play with the Armenian, children and when older were sent to the United States for their secondary education.

Arabella Babcock, the first single missionary woman to be assigned to scepters, in 1862, to superintend the girls’ boarding school, startled her colleagues by adopting the native dress and after a year caused an uproar when she announced her engagement to the Armenian pastor in nearby Diyarbekir. Faced with the stern disapproval of her colleagues, Babcock saw no choice but to resign from the mission and return home.

New Faith in Ancient

Taken from: Mano Chil