The Armenian Mission Field by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

The Armenian Mission Field

By Z. G. Baharian

AFTER our general meeting at Friedensau, Germany, I returned to my field of labor. There being cholera in the western part of Armenia, I visited the eastern part. August 10 I took the boat for Trebizond (Pontus). On the way, I stopped at Samsun to see our brother, M. Azkabadian. After holding a Bible study with him, he told me of his willingness to enter God’s work. He said that his present business was very promising, and the future looked prosperous, but that he could not have rest because of the great need of this Armenian field. I gladly accepted his proposal, and told him to put into order his affairs with his master merchant while I was finishing my tour. As he was a faithful clerk, his master would not let him go without an earnest effort to retain his services.

August 13 I landed at Trebizond, where I found the interested Greek family who were in correspondence with us. I encouraged them to hold to the truth. Passing through this province, I arrived at Erzoum in six days, where I stayed only three days. Then I continued my journey south six days on horse, and arrived at Mush on August 28. This small town has been built on the top of, and

around, a hill. It is composed of Moslems, Turks, Kurds, and Armenians. Many having migrated because of massacres, I found but few Armenians. I was told that there were only from six to seven thousand people in the place. To the north and east of Mush there is a vast, fruitful plain, where may be seen small villages, mostly Armenian. I visited several of the villages, and saw the poor, miserable, neglected, and uneducated condition of the people. Though missionaries of the American board began there an evangelical work about fifty years ago, they have not been able to reform the condition of the people. At present the evangelical work is in the hands of a German society, which has established two orphanages for boys and girls, and five common schools in as many different villages. One of these villages is Havadvorig, where there is a Seventh-day Adventist. I went there to find him, and stopped several days in the building used as church and school by the Protestants. The teacher-preacher treated me kindly, and invited me to preach twice on Sunday. This opened the way to become acquainted with the people. I also met a teacher of another village, together with his wife. He had been interested in our truths while he was in Russia, and was glad to study more now. I helped him as much as I could. After I left them, I received a letter from him manifesting increased interest. Even the Gregorian priest of his village has been interested.

In Mush there is a Protestant pastor who showed love and kindness to me. He invited me to preach in his church, and I did so. There were about fifty hearers. Three teachers were there, and showed much interest. We had several talks together on different Bible subjects. They bought our tracts and books. I tried to call their attention to the prophecies of the Bible. Through correspondence I shall follow the interest awakened. Some wanted me to stay there and labor among them, but it was impossible for me as I had planned to labor in western Armenia, probably in Bitlis.

At present our brother in Mush will do a little canvassing work with our few tracts in the Armenian language. I received a letter from this brother saying that it has been very difficult and dangerous to travel in the villages, on account of Kurdish invasions. They have again begun to pillage and murder Armenians since the war between Tripoli and Italy began. May God yet give us a little quiet time in order to gain souls from this corner of the field. Seeing the situation, I entreat you to raise your voices to God for us. Z. G. BAHARIAN.