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Show REV. FRANCIS H. LESLIE, OF OORFA1 ANOTHER life has been sacrificed for the redemption of Turkey. " Repeated dispatches confirm the first rumors of the death of Rev. Francis H. Leslie at Oorfa, apparently at the end of October or the first of November. It is still a matter of conjecture just how he met his death. Ambassador Morgenthau reports his information, of whose truth he says he has made further inquiry and is now assured, that Mr. Leslie, while very sick, drank some carbolic acid, with this tragic result. It is not intimated that the poison was administered to him by enemies, or that there was murderous intent on the part of any one. In any event, whether his death was brought about by his own act, in the delirium of sickness, or by the act of another, Mr. Leslie laid down his life for the people to whom he had given himself without stint. His four short years of missionary life were crowded with activity. Being the sole resident missionary at Oorfa, that isolated station of Central Turkey made famous by Miss Corinna Shattuck, and where her genius and devotion had developed extensive industrial features, it fell to Mr. Leslie to supervise carpentry and cabinet shops, iron and machine shops, tailor and shoe shops, besides the woman's department, with its extensive lace and handkerchief industries, the Shat- 1 Born at Northport. Mich. Studied at Northport High School (1897), Art Academy. Chicago (two winters), Art Academy, Cincinnati (one winter), Fargo College (1911), and pursued private theological study. Sailed for Turkey October 28,1911. Married. September 10. 1913. Miss Elvesta L. Thomas, of Northport, Mich. Died, Oorfa, Turkey, October -, 1915. 18 June 30 last REV. FRANCIS H. LESLIE tuck School for the Blind, and the general evangelistic and church work radiating from that center. Two years ago Mr. Leslie returned to this country on leave of absence, and after a month's stay took back his bride to Oorfa. Of late Mrs. Leslie has been at Aintab, with the larger circle at that station; and there on was born the little daughter, Elizabeth Louise, who, it is pathetic to realize, her father was not permitted to see. To those whom he has left behind, our prayerful sympathy goes out. In the disturbance of these war times, the Turkish government has interned at Oorfa many subjects of European countries brought there from different parts of Turkey, and Mr. Leslie has been compelled to act as medium for the p a y m e n t of their monthly allowances which came through the American consuls. In view of the amount of business involved, Ambassador Morgenthau had requested that Mr. Leslie be appointed consular agent at Oorfa, but to this the Turkish government would not consent. A capable, industrious, courageous life thus comes to its earthly close. A career which gave promise of yet more notable missionary service is suddenly stopped. A station and a work sorely needing counsel and cheer are stripped of their defender. A home that helped is broken up; the widow and the fatherless are left to mourn. What a price it is to pay for the proclaiming of a gospel that men seem unwilling to hear! But some do hear and are |
