Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/68

 1. Biblical References of Armenia. Armenia is a high table land on the southern slope of the Caucausus, between the Caspian and Black seas and Mesopotamia. Its boundaries have varied at different times of its history. It is believed by the greatest majority of the Biblical scholars to be the first seat of the human race, and also the cradle of mankind after the deluge. The four rivers mentioned in the second chapter of Genesis: Pison (the present Joruk that runs to the Black Sea), Gihon (the present Arax that runs to the Caspian Sea), Tigris and Euphrates (both run to the Persian Gulf), have their sources in the highlands of Ararat, Armenia. According to the modern critics, Armenia was formerly called Ararat, after the name of that illustrious mountain, about 17,000 feet high, upon which the ark of Noah rested after the abatement of the waters. The fertile soil, the magnificent scenery, the mild and healthy climate, the large rivers, and the "one thousand sources" of pure waters, make it worthy to be called the "Garden of Eden."

Other Biblical references in connection with Armenia: In II. Kings, 19:37, and Isa., 37:38, we notice that the sons of Sennacharib, the Assyrian monarch, after killing their father (681 B. C.), "escaped into the land of Armenia." Again