Why the Missionaries Remain in Turkey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1915

“Why the Missionaries Remain in Turkey”

Those who have friends engaged in missionary service in lands now torn with war will find comfort in the following from the Bulletin of the American Board of Missions, the Congregational Society. Under the title “Why the Missionaries Remain in Turkey,” the Bulletin says:—

“The secretaries of the board are between two fires in these days. On the one hand the missionaries in Turkey are stirred up because the board is holding back fifteen newly appointed missionaries on account of the war. On the other hand the relatives and friends of the missionaries now in Turkey rebuke us for not calling all of them home. The missionaries write, ‘Under what possible argument are you keeping these workers from sailing when the opportunity here is so great?’ The friends and relatives write, ‘How dare you assume the responsibility of keeping the missionaries in Turkey in times like these?’ Each position is natural, but is based upon lack of information. The new workers for Turkey are kept in this country not because we would fear for their safety were they at their stations, but because travel, especially in the interior of the country, is impossible or unduly hazardous. As for not calling the missionaries home, we cannot do better than quote from a statement recently sent to relatives by Dr. Barton:—

“Turkey was at war with England when missionary work began, ninety-five years ago, and from that time until the present there have been almost no decades which were not marked either by a war between Turkey and some outside hostile force, or by some internal uprisings, which, in many respects, involved greater peril to missionaries and missionary interests than foreign wars. This covers the war with Egypt in 1839-41, the Crimean War in 1854, the war between Turkey and Russia in 1877, and more recently the Balkan wars. Then there is the whole story of massacres and international conflicts, covering the difficulties that have been almost perennial between Turkey and Arabia, the war between Turkey and the Druses, the massacres of different periods, including those of the Bulgarians and Christians in Macedonia, and of the Armenians during the close of the century. In no case have the missionaries left the country because of war or of massacre. They have taken the ground that at the time of unusual disturbances and distress their place was with the people whom they were sent to help, and they have insisted on remaining ‘with their people.’ They have thus been able to render service of untold value in ministering to the needs of the suffering, in comforting the disheartened, in caring for orphans, and in helping to restore conditions of civilization when the conflict is past. It is worthy of note that in none of these disturbed periods, with the single exception of Mr. Rogers, has any missionary been injured personally or has American property been seriously interfered with.”