Among the Turks (Gorgias Historic Travels in the Cradle of Civilization)

"Part travelogue, part missionary account, this book recounts the experiences of a nineteenth-century traveler in the Ottoman Empire. Indeed, Hamlin's account begins with a description of the origin and extent of the Ottoman Empire, including a consideration of the social issues it faced. The growth of the empire as it headed toward traditionally Christian regions is of interest to the author. Political background of the period is included along with the travels undertaken by Hamlin. Some tumultuous times were encountered during his time abroad, and Hamlin saw in them the need for religious freedom. A tour of southern Macedonia is described, and the issue of what a missionary ought to do for a living is discussed. The Crimean War captures the attention of a chapter and accounts of church building are interspersed with travels to the Balkans. Education and the issue of an encounter with Islam, sympathetic to the reading of the Quran leads Hamlin to conclude with the misrepresentation of the Ottomans that he has discovered to be problematic. An intimate glimpse into the Ottoman world of the nineteenth century, this historic travelogue will be welcomed by students of missionary activity and the rapidly changing region of Turkey"--Publisher's description, p. [4] of cover Preface Contents Chapter I. Origin Of The Empire.—A. D. 1300 Chapter II. Growth Of The Empire Chapter III. Empire Of 1839 Chapter IV. Accession Of Abdul Medjid Chapter V. Bebek Seminary Chapter VI. Religious Freedom Chapter VII. The Old Oriental Life Chapter VIII. Dethronement Of Sultans Chapter IX. Halet Effendi And Janizaries Chapter X. Anathema And Its Results Chapter XI. Tour Into Southern Macedonia Chapter XII. Morse's Telegraph Chapter XIII. Secular Employments Chapter XIV. Industries And Interdicts Chapter XV. Crimean War Chapter XVI. Church-Building Chapter XVII. The Bulgarians Chapter XVIII. Education Chapter XIX. Robert College Chapter XX. Plague, Cholera, Malaria Chapter XXI. Mohammedan Law Chapter XXII. Islam Chapter XXIII. Signs Of Progress This book recounts the experiences of a nineteenth-century traveler in the Ottoman Empire. It begins with a description of the origin and extent of the Ottoman Empire, including a consideration of the social issues it faced. An encounter with Islam, with a sympathetic reading of the Quran, leads him to conclude with the misrepresentation of the Ottomans that he has discovered to be problematic