OCR Text |
Show THE STORY OF BROUSA The history of Turkey is one of continuous storm and stress with never ending wars. When the attention of the American Board was first turned to the Empire, it was impossible to get even a foothold on the main land, and the first effort was through the press from a station on the island of Malta. In 1831, Dr. Goodell entered Constantinople, and there the first school for girls was started and later moved to Marsovan. It was Dr. Hamlin's inventive brain that suggested the entering wedge, the teaching of embroidery, and so an extremely narrow door was opened to women who are considered as cattle unable to learn anything. There was not a school for girls any where. In fact a system of education for the entire country was necessary. The workers sent to Turkey were of outstanding ability and fine scholarship. The American Board recognized that at the inception of such a difficult and far-reaching enterprise, they must secure the very best talent; and having heard of Miss Julia Rappleye's standing in a prominent school in Oakland, they requested her to inauguarate this work for women. She reached Constantinople in 1876, and in a few months started a school at Stamboul with three pupils, which was destined to become the American School for Girls that is the most advanced institution of the kind in the Levant. Passing it to other capable hands, she went to Brousa in 1876 to cooperate with Mrs. Baldwin in the third School for Girls in Turkey. JULIA A. RAPPLEYE During the first year there were ten pupils in the Brousa school, and we are permitted to know them quite intimately as we follow on through the correspondence, even sharing their examination. For five years Miss Rappleye was our own missionary, being relinquished to us by the eastern Board; and the building campaign [ 46 ] |