News From the Levant by A. J. GIROU

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1912

News From the Levant

By A. J. GIROU

IN a former letter from Constantinople Mrs. Girou gave some information about the work we were carrying on in that city. Our last efforts in holding tent-meetings were in vain, as the political conditions could not favor such things just then. Unless one lives in this country it is almost impossible to understand the strict rules of the government and the manner in which they are enforced. Although not able to secure permission for the tent, we continued our meetings in a private hall in Scutari. It was decided at the time of our conference that I should study the Turkish language. In order to do this best I should be in a place where only Turkish is spoken; therefore we left the work in the hands of others, and moved to Smyrna a month ago.

This city has a population of about three hundred fifty thousand. Perhaps three fourths of the people are Christians, belonging to the Orthodox, Gregorian, Roman Catholic, and Protestant churches. One can hear almost all the different languages of the country, as well as European languages, spoken. This makes our missionary work quite difficult indeed, as I am obliged to speak much through an interpreter. I count myself fortunate to have an interpreter (my wife) who is able to translate into several of the native languages.

As I am writing these lines, Turkey is carrying on the war against the Balkans. The Turkish press is speaking of the victory their army is each hour gaining over the enemy, while the foreign papers tell the contrary; therefore we have no authentic news about the true condition of affairs. The people are impatient for details. There is great fear that Russia will give her aid to the Balkans, and thus bring European Turkey to an end. Those at the head of the government also see this danger, and one of their orators has lately declared that if the European part of the country should be removed from their hands, they would sign this treaty with blood, and leave nothing but a desolate land for their victorious enemies. When we look at their past history, we see where this patriotic fanaticism may lead, when united with religious fanaticism.

Recently a train carrying soldiers was struck by another train, and about three hundred were killed and injured. As this incident happened just at the commencement of hostilities between the Greeks and Turks, the Turkish inhabitants of the city of Aidin rose against the Greeks (these Greeks are Turkish subjects, and not of the number who fight against Turkey), accusing them of having secretly laid plans for this collision. Notwithstanding all measures taken by the government to keep order, a number of Greeks were massacred, among whom was an orthodox priest. Rumors of such massacres come from other parts of the country. A Protestant paper lately told of two young Christian girls who were taken by the Turks and forced to accept the Moslem religion. These poor girls are now shut up in some harem.

At present we can not hold public meetings here in Smyrna, and it is not safe to go out after five o'clock in the evening. We see the police and soldiers in the streets day and night, but even this does not seem enough to stop robbery and killing. Yesterday a friend told me that a few minutes before starting from his home he had witnessed the death of a Christian only a few steps from his door. In case the trouble should increase, we shall be obliged to leave for Cyprus or some other European island, but we hope this will not be necessary.

Pray with us that out of all these wars a harvest of liberty may come, so that we may be able to proclaim with power the last message of the eternal God. A. J. GIROU.