Syria by W. C. ISING

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 25, 1912

Syria

By W. C. ISING

W. C. ISING

In July, 1911, Brother Beshir Abo Hasso returned to Mosul (ancient Nineveh), after graduating here in Beirut as a pharmacist, to connect with the mission that sent him to college. His name, Beshir, meaning in the Arabic language, “bearer of good news; evangelist” (from the same root as bushaarat, meaning “gospel”), is very indicative. He was given several opportunities to present the message to the congregation of the church. Here are his words, written January 26:—

“I am not accomplishing very much here because you know that I have not the power of speech. I try, by the help

of God, to use every opportunity as best I can; but how I wish that some brother would come here who is able to explain the prophecies publicly, as you do in Beirut.

“Now I should like to tell you something of my cousin Altoon. When I first accepted the message, I began to pray that my family would also accept it, and I had great confidence that Altoon would accept. When I came to Mosul, he was working in an ice factory, and he used to sleep there as well. He seldom came home. One Sunday he came home, and said that he was obliged to work on Sundays also. I told him that it was not sin to work on Sundays, but on Saturdays. He was surprised to hear this, and began to oppose me. But now he is fully established in the truth, and is willing, with all pleasure, to be baptized. He is keeping the Sabbath under many trying circumstances.

Another brother baptized last summer, Brother Haris (meaning watchman), has just recently gone through an experience that shows God’s kind care for his children. Laboring outside the offices of the Singer Manufacturing Company here in Beirut, where he has a good position, he had been able to arrange his work so as to keep the Sabbath. But of late there arose difficulties, and there was danger that he would both lose the work and get into trouble concerning the truth, since he was somewhat inexperienced. After a straight talk with the director of the company here, who himself is a proselyte from the Jews and keeps Sunday, and who told me that other Jews in connection with their work are obliged to labor on Sabbath, our brother was given the Sabbath free. We clearly saw God’s help in this case.

There are other such souls in Syria, but they must earnestly be searched for. I have come in contact with an Armenian family where I have been holding Bible studies. The family lost their property in Adana last year, and came to Beirut. They all eagerly listen to the prophecies. The father was obliged to return to Adana [near ancient Tarsus, where Paul was born] just recently to settle some business matters, and will probably stay away several months. But he has been supplied with a prophetic chart and other material, which he is eager to use in teaching the truth to the people in that region. He says he has for some time been led to study the books of Daniel and the Revelation, but he could never make out the meaning of it all. He was practically loaded with questions, and it seemed that he could not hear enough to satisfy his longings. When touching on the Sabbath, he said he would seriously consider this matter. He has two bright young boys, who know the English quite well. The family consists of six persons, all appearing very promising lovers of the truth. May the Lord, through the loss of their earthly prosperity, lead them to the knowledge and acceptance of that treasure which is laid up in heaven, that will never fail.

Beirut.