TOUR INTO ARMENIA KURDISTAN.. 1840

1840 Tour into Armenia, Kurdistan, Persia Iran & Turkey

The Rev. Horatio Southgate (1812 -1894) was a bishop, born in Portland, Maine, 5 July, 1812. He was ordained deacon in Trinity church, Boston, Massachusetts, 12 July, 1835. In that capacity, during which time he made a tour through Armenia, Kurdistan, Persia and Turkey. This work was a record of travels and observations to make an investigation of the state of Mohammedanism in Turkey and Persia. The Southgate trip represents a significant tour through that area where Persia, Armenia,Turkey and Transcaucasia converge. He visits most of the urban places, and through his descriptions one acquires a sense of their commerce and daily life of the inhabitants of the region.

In one of his later letters Rev. Southgate wrote - "During the years 1836-39, I was employed in investigating the condition of Mohammedanism in Turkey and Persia. I had previously felt very little interest in the Eastern Churches. During my tour, I was particularly struck with their great resemblance to us. I could not, however, but see into how low a state they had fallen, through the oppression of Mohammedanism. I felt that we, as a Church, had neglected a duty in not ministering to the wants of this great portion of the "household of faith."