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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 22, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 38.

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Turkey

By E. Frauchiger

E. FRAUCHIGER
A YEAR ago at our union conference held at Friedensau, it was decided that I should take the direction of the Levant field, on the departure of Elder Claude McMoody. After a journey of three weeks I arrived safely at Constantinople with my wife and seven children, in company with Brother F. Scior and his wife. We found a kindly welcome at the home of Brother Z. G. Baharian. Brother C. Voigt, who was appointed for the publishing branch, had already arrived.
WORKERS IN TURKEY
WORKERS IN TURKEY
From Oct. 26 until Nov. 1, 1909, we had a general meeting at Bardizag. Brethren Guy Dail, R. S. Greaves, Z. G. Baharian, and the writer presented the truth for this time. I was glad of this opportunity to become better acquainted with the brethren and sisters, and with the needs of the field. During our meeting we had an earthquake, which is no unusual occurrence in this country.
November 1 we had a general council meeting, having present with us Brethren L. R. Conradi and H. F. Schuberth, as well as Brother V. Pampaian, who had been transferred from the Russian field to ours. We laid plans for the extension of the work, which were embodied in about thirty resolutions. Then we began our work in this strange land, among this babel of tongues.
“Be strong and of a good courage.” This command, which was spoken to Joshua when he entered the land of promise, sounds in my heart as I write for the first time from this place. It comes as a help to me; for one is sometimes tempted to lose courage in such a foreign country, with its teeming life, its rushing business, its thousand needs, when one is sent with the commission to preach the gospel of the kingdom and the end of all things at a time when men think of the future as very promising. Yet notwithstanding the many difficulties, I have received in this short time so much kindness that I would be ungrateful if I began my work without joy.
Under the freedom granted by the new constitution in this country, Brother Melchiori, who came here at his own expense, began systematic canvassing. It was a novelty to the people of Constantinople to have religious literature offered them from door to door. From week to week Brother Melchiori was more successful in selling, until he reached forty-five piasters a day. This was an encouragement to the native brethren. The priests, as well as the people, bought our literature, in the French, German, Italian, Spanish, English, Armenian, Greek, and Turkish languages. The Turks, Armenians, and Greeks in Constantinople buy literature in French rather than in their own tongue.
Our activity was not long unnoticed. Secular and religious newspapers began a controversy against us. Ours was the first Christian society venturing to publish a Turkish tract in Turkish letters on the theme, “Who Is Jesus?” This tract created a sensation, and was commented upon in Turkish and Armenian newspapers. While circulating the tract,in spite of the constitutional freedom, our colporteurs were imprisoned three or four times, and their literature was confiscated. At one place Brother Melchiori was beaten till the blood came, and his coat and literature were stained with blood.
Our colporteurs were expressly forbidden to circulate this literature among the Turks. Since by this decree of the government a great part of our work for Islam was hindered, we thought it necessary to make application to the Sublime Porte. After many visits and exact investigations, we received permission to sell the tract, but only on condition that we would not enter a Turkish house with it. As every Turk lives in a single house, and this house is for him a kingdom and temple, no one is allowed to enter. This makes missionary work among these people very difficult. Nevertheless, even under these difficult conditions, and although only a few of the people can read, we sold nearly a full edition of the tract.
Brother Voigt reports that since our arrival we have sold nearly $760 worth of literature. Our first book, “The Way to Christ,” in the Armenian language, is just printed. The Greek translation will soon follow.
Our evangelistic work began soon after the new year. We thought to deliver lectures in German or French, or through an interpreter, but circumstances forbade. In vain we tried to find a hall. As a further hindrance, Brother Scior fell dangerously ill at my lodging with typhoid fever; but with the Lord’s help, and the services of a competent nurse, his health was soon restored, and he was able to go in May with his wife to Thessalonica. Here he will preach the truth, which once shone forth so luminously at that place by the preaching of Paul.
Under these unfavorable conditions, we were obliged to employ all our sagacity, hunting in the streets, in German and French post-offices, in and outside of churches, wherever we could hear a German or a French sound, and invite people, wherever we found them, to come to our Bible lectures at my house. Soon we had a number of commercial men together, many of whom were Jews, who sought other things rather than Jesus of Nazareth.
A list of interested persons was obtained from our canvassers on their second round. Soon we had as many as we could visit, and often we were together till past midnight, which is a rare thing in the East, where people go to bed early. My wife accompanied me in all my visits. This is necessary in this country. The first visit she generally made alone, and after that she introduced me.
Brother Baharian gave lectures this winter at Stamboul and in Tavela, speaking in the Turkish language. These lectures were attended mostly by Armenians and Greeks.
On April 9 we baptized three brethren who had kept the Sabbath for a long time. As the first-fruits among the Europeans, I had the privilege of baptizing two persons on July 13. The readers in Europe may be interested to know that one of these is a native of Brandenburg, and the other of Austria. Four were convinced of the truth, but only two could be baptized.
I feel sorry to interrupt my work for three months by a journey to visit our brethren and sisters in Asia Minor before our general meeting in the autumn. If God will, I shall then visit the home of Abraham. As the journey will be mostly on horseback, and as few Europeans travel in these parts, and the newspapers inform us that many are killed by the fanatical Kurds, I beg you to remember in your prayers Brother Baharian, who is going to the eastern part of the field, as well as Brother Pampaian and myself, on our tour.
Galata, Constantinople.