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The Lord’s Providence

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 52.

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The Lord’s Providence

By L. R. CONRADI

L. R. CONRADI
WHEN we appointed a general meeting at Beirut for the Levant Union Mission field, to be held September 24-29, we did not dream of the wonderful changes to occur within the few months intervening. At first we expected to see only our American and European workers; but the sudden, quiet change in the Turkish empire made it also possible for our Armenian workers to attend. As our boat entered the port, Elder W. C. Ising came on board; and as we stepped ashore, Brethren Z. G. Baharian, A. Buzugherian, and E. Ayvazian greeted us. No passport was demanded of any, no bakshish was necessary to pass our luggage. As Elder Ising had secured a roomy dwelling at a reasonable rate,—the first location of the American University many years ago,—we had ample room to hold our meetings. All boarded there, and a number of us even lodged there. Brother Hausmann, who conducts a private treatment-room, provided rooms for a number.
Elder C. D. AcMoody was present from Nicomedia, Elder Greaves from Smyrna, Elder Baharian from Aintab, Brethren Buzugherian and Ayvazian from Tarsus and Aleppo, Brother Krug from Jerusalem, Sister Muller from Caifa; Elder A. Abd-Elshaheed from Luxor, Egypt; Brother Keough from Cairo; Sister Brefin and Brother Scholz, lately from Germany, to be located at Joppa and Beirut; and Brother P. N. Lindegren had come all the way from Abyssinia. This was indeed a Levant Union Mission meeting, including representatives from the Bulgarian border to India and Ethiopia, covering parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Our daily program was two Bible studies, two council meetings, and in the evening a sermon or field report.
The Levant field has had rather a hard experience for some years. Some of the promising workers have died, or have had to withdraw from the work on account of ill health; some appointed to the field were called to other important positions; one of the workers apostatized; while in the Turkish empire our native workers were greatly hindered by the government. This meeting marks a brighter era also for this great field; for the encouraging reports of the older workers and the addition of new workers warrants this.
One of our first resolutions was a unanimous expression of gratitude to God, as well as of thanks to the Turkish government and the sultan, for the great change wrought. Then we laid careful plans for the distribution of our workers and the future direction of the work. As Elder AcMoody had never visited the hundred Sabbath-keepers in the southern portion of Asia Minor, it was decided that he, in company with Elder Baharian, should spend about three months in this region, then Elder Baharian should accompany him back to Constantinople, and labor there till summer, while Elder Buzugherian looks after the work in the south. Elder Greaves is getting the work established at Smyrna, and will, with some native workers, press the battle there. We have now three ordained ministers and five Bible workers in European Turkey and Asia Minor, who have to divide their attention between Turks, Armenians, and Greeks. Prof. W. E. Howell will continue his work at Athens.
As to Syria and Egypt, where the Arabic is the chief language, Elder Ising looks after the work there. Brother Scholz follows up the interest at Beirut, and is to study the Arabic. Sister Mullercontinues her medical missionary work at Caifa. Sister Brefin goes to Joppa, and Brother Krug and Sister Merkle return to Jerusalem. Some are becoming interested in different parts of Syria. Elder Ising accompanied us to Egypt, to become acquainted with the situation there. Brother Keough locates at Cairo, to labor and study the Arabic. Elder Abd-Elshaheed will cast out the gospel net in Upper Egypt.
Special attention was given to the issuing of new publications, and to the establishment of a depository. Our investigations revealed the fact that, while Beirut is favorably located for a depository, some of the printing would have to be done at Constantinople, especially in the Greek and Armenian languages. The Hamburg Publishing House was invited to establish a branch here at an early date, and provide a suitable person to take charge of it.
The Sabbath was a good day for all the workers. In the afternoon they and the members participated in the ordinances, and the testimonies in the social meeting acknowledged God’s goodness. Much to our regret, Brother Lindegren contracted a severe cold, and we had to leave, September 29, without him. The French liner was so crowded with emigrants that we could hardly secure a place even on deck; and when we reached Port Said the next day, it took hours for the doctors to inspect the crew and the passengers. It was a disappointment to Miss Larsen, the prospective bride of Brother Lindegren, who had arrived from Hamburg with Sister Rohde the day previous, that we came without him. But as their boat for Massaua was not due until October 10, we hope that Brother Lindegren was sufficiently recovered to come. We made all arrangements to meet emergencies.
Our company of laborers spent one forenoon to great profit in looking over the fine campus, school building, hospitals, dormitories, museum, and observatory of the American College at Beirut. Over eight hundred bright young people from all portions of the Levant receive their education here. They have a strong medical department, and their nurses’ training class this year numbers fifty. Their aged ex-president, about eighty-two years old, told us, as we parted, that the wisest step of his life was taken when he resigned, leaving the mantle to drop on his son.
When we consider that this Levant field numbers sixty million people, and realize that our work is barely begun and organized, that large regions have never been entered, that publications are sadly needed in all the different languages, and that God’s providence has so suddenly opened a vast field before us; we feel constrained to call out, ‘Come over . . . and help us.’
Hamburg, Germany.