Urumia 1915 : an American mission in war-torn Persia / William Ambrose Shedd.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shedd, William Ambrose, 1865-1918, author.

Series:

Bibliotheca Iranica. Americans in Iran/Persia collection

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Protestant churches--Missions--Iran.

Protestant churches.

Christians--Iran--Urūmīyah.

Christians.

Missionaries--Iran--Urūmīyah.

Missionaries.

Massacres--Iran--Urūmīyah.

Massacres.

Persecution--Iran.

Persecution.

Missions--Iran--Urūmīyah.

Missions.

Missions, American--Iran.

Missions, American.

World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Iran.

World War, 1914-1918.

Physical Description:

xxxvii, 162 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Costa Mesa, California : Mazda Publishers, 2025.

Summary:

"This book recounts a remarkable true story of courage and compassion during the Great War, focusing on a group of eighteen American missionaries in Urumia (located in northwestern Iran) who protected and cared for 25,000 Christian refugees-mainly Nestorians and Armenians-under dire conditions, including violence, famine, and disease. Despite overwhelming challenges resulting from the 1915 Ottoman occupation of Urumia, including massacres, epidemics, and the captivity of women, the missionaries provided food, shelter, and medical aid, saving thousands of lives. Beyond chronicling heroism in crisis, the book emphasizes the enduring value and impact of Protestant missionary work in foreign lands, illustrating the unique cultural and religious dynamics at play in Muslim lands. The narrative is also a call to action-encouraging humanitarian aid and continued missionary work, especially from the U.S., as a response to the devastation of war. Ultimately, the book seeks to inspire by advocating for "war against war," where faith, service, and human dignity endure even in the darkest times"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Foreword / Jonathan Shedd Barker

Preface

Prologue: Introducing people and places

The brewing of the storm

The breaking of the storm

The floods came and the winds blew

A refuge from the storm

Rescue of the perishing

Housing of the refugees

The pestilence that walketh in darkness

Two hundred pennyworth of bread

Outside the lines

The sequel to the story

The Moslems and Islam

How we walked in the shadows

The heart of the story

Sources of Photographs and maps

Index

List of books in this collection.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781568594149

1568594143

OCLC:

1552169162

Publisher Number:

90103642684