An Afghan Pilgrim’s Faithful Witness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 15, 1913

An Afghan Pilgrim’s Faithful Witness

AN Afghan pilgrim, from near Peshawar, was shot in the foot last year and taken to one of the Church Missionary Society’s hospitals in Palestine. He had been a soldier in the Indian army, and was an earnest Mohammedan with a good knowledge of the Koran, but gradually he became interested in the gospel, and obtained an Urdu New Testament. When he left the hospital, he declared himself a believer in Jesus Christ. Then his fellow countrymen in the place threatened his life on account of his profession, and finally one of them shot him. He was taken back to the hospital, and was baptized at his earnest request, dying shortly afterward. Steadfastly he refused to prosecute the man who had shot him, saying he would pray for him rather. That conduct greatly influenced and softened the murderer, who acknowledged that the religion which could enable a man to pray for his murderer must be of God.