Our Young People in Turkey by J. G. Mandalian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1912

Our Young People in Turkey

By J. G. Mandalian

OWING to different conditions there have been several changes among our young people in Turkey. Some are attending our school in Constantinople, while several were obliged to enlist in the army.

The soldier in the accompanying picture is one of our Armenian brethren, a very faithful and earnest young man.

He has found favor with his captain, and has no difficulty in keeping the Sabbath. At first, he was in the palace of former Sultan Hamid. In his regiment there were other Armenian soldiers, and his captain would get him and his comrades to argue on the Sabbath question. He first proved from the Bible that the Sabbath is the Lord’s day, then proved from history that Sunday is an institution of the Papacy. The captain then asked one of the other young men to prove Sunday to be the Lord’s day, but he declined, stating that that was the priest’s part, and he was no priest. Thus both Armenians and Turks had a chance to hear the truth. At present this brother is at the Dardanelles, working in the telegraphic department. During the last general conference in Constantinople, upon request of Elder E. E. Frauchiger, his captain gave him a vacation of ten days. Thus he had the privilege of enjoying the blessings with the rest of the brethren in Turkey. This kind treatment on the part of Turkish officers is something altogether unusual. Surely the Lord is doing wonderful things for his children.

At present there are three Armenian young men in the States, studying in our schools. One is in South Lancaster, one at Loma Linda, and the other, the writer, in Union College. We have only one desire and ambition in life, and that is to prepare ourselves speedily to labor in our country in the Master’s cause. We ask the prayers of our brethren in the United States that we may be faithful and true to our trust. J. G. MANDALIAN.