224 JOURNEYS IN PERSIA NOTES

and religious inspiration to the teachings of the Urmi
College. At present a few of the young men have
banded themselves together to go forth as teachers and
preachers with the object of carrying the Gospel to all,
without distinction of nationality. The hopefulness of
this movement is that it is of native origin, and that
the young men are self-supporting. A capable Syrian
physician and a companion are also preaching and healing
at their own cost, only accepting help towards the expense
of medicines.

The Medical Mission at Urmi, with its well-equipped
Dispensary and its two admirable Hospitals, is of the
utmost value, as such missions are all the world over.

Dr. Cochrane, from his courtesy and attention to the
niceties of Persian etiquette, is extremely acceptable to
the Persian authorities, and has been entrusted by them
more than once with missions involving the exercise of
great tact and ability. He is largely trusted by the
Moslems of Urmi and the neighbourhood, and mixes
with them socially on friendly and easy terms.

He and some of the younger missionaries were born
in Persia, their fathers having been missionaries before
them, and after completing their education in America
they returned, not only with an intimate knowledge of
etiquette and custom, as well as of Syriac and Persian,
but with that thorough sympathy with the people whom
they are there to help and instruct, which it is difficult
to gain in a single generation, and through languages not
acquired in childhood. Dr. Cochrane has had many and
curious dealings with the Kurds, the dreaded inhabitants
of the mountains which overhang the beautiful plain of
Urmi, and a Kurd, who appears to be in perpetual " war-
paint," is the gatekeeper at the Dispensary. One of the
most singular results of the influence gained over these
fierce and predatory people by the " Missionary Hakim "