p. 17 | The Armenian Mission Field by Z. G. BAHARIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1912

The Armenian Mission Field

By Z. G. BAHARIAN

I SPENT the time from October 11 to 22 in Eghin. Here we have only two brethren in the truth. They have continued faithful since 1899, when we sent our first missionary from Bardizag. He raised up a small company of believers, five in number. One sister sleeps in Jesus, another went to America, and still another to Constantinople; so only two brethren are left, and a sister who keeps the Sabbath, but who has not yet been baptized. I encouraged them. They see the face of a worker scarcely once a year, and then for only a few days.

From Eghin it took me five days to go to Sivas. The mountain roads are dangerous. While passing through a very narrow way, my horse rolled down into a valley, and in trying to prevent it, I was pulled down with great force. God preserved both the horse and me. We were safe, except that my right hand was severely hurt. Thanks to God for his great mercy.

Sivas is one of the large cities of Asia Minor. The population is more than one hundred thousand. The American Mission Board has here an academy for both sexes. So this city is an educational center for Sivas province. I studied the situation for a few days, and found an open door for our message.

November 1, I arrived at Tokat, and my journey ended. Here I was expecting to find Brother Mihran Azkabedian, who was to come down from Samsun to join me in labor. I was astonished when I did not find him. Later I learned that he had been stricken with cholera at the same time that I had the accident with my horse in the mountains; but God saved him from death, even as he had preserved me. In a few days he arrived, and we rented a suitable house and announced meetings. Twenty-four persons attended our first Sunday meeting. This number gradually increased to forty-eight. We are studying the prophecies, and the interest is increasing. Twice a week we hold meetings, and I speak about the promises of God to our fathers. We expect to see fruits. At present only one young man has begun to obey.

Brother Azkabedian sells tracts every afternoon. He has diverse experiences. In two days he sold to Moslems seventy-one Turkish tracts on Daniel 2. The reading of these tracts enraged the people, who stirred up the police against Brother Azkabedian. December 18 he was arrested, and investigated by the chief of police. I was also called to answer. Our situation was dangerous, but God helped us. The chief of police and the general-attorney saw clearly that we had spoken nothing against the Islam religion and the government, as had been complained by the people. So we were left free to continue our work. We think that nearly all the Moslems heard that our Lord will soon come. Some call our colporteurs “The end of the world.” We pray God to grant us a few Moslem believers.

Z. G. BAHARIAN.