p. 6 | Improved Conditions in Turkey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 12, 1908

Improved Conditions in Turkey

THE advantages which have accrued to the cause of missions as a result of the recent political changes in Turkey are great. Although there is much still to be desired, yet the advanced steps which have already been taken are a great blessing in the proclamation of the gospel in that most difficult field. The situation as it now stands is described in one of our exchanges:—

The principal points of the new constitution are: Personal liberty, no punishment without trial, religious toleration, a free press, equality of all Ottoman subjects, security of property, inviolability of domicile, and abolition of torture. The general assembly will consist of two chambers,—the senators, to be chosen by the sultan for distinguished service to the state; the deputies, to be elected in the proportion of one for each fifty thousand inhabitants. Following the sultan's irade ordering the dismissal of spies, these abhorred persons, who formerly haunted all the public places, have completely vanished. The newspapers are freely indulging their new-found liberty, and are expressing the people's joy over the granting of a constitution. Missionary work among Mohammedans in Turkey has until recently been forbidden, as has been the sale of controversial books. A Moslem might be cast into prison simply for visiting a missionary's house. Now there is in Turkey more liberty for Christian propaganda than is allowed to missionaries under British rule in Khartum and the Sudan. A door has been opened, and for the first time the gospel will be freely preached among the subjects of the Ottoman empire.

It may require some time to adjust to these new conditions, and there may be cases of intolerance in some localities, as is almost always the case under similar circumstances; but there can be no doubt that an opportunity is now offered for the spread of the gospel truth in the Ottoman empire such as has not been granted for many centuries. This opportunity ought to be improved.