An Interesting City by A. W. GEORGE, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 31, 1905

An Interesting City

By A. W. GEORGE, M. D.

A. W. GEORGE, M. D.

As one passes over the coast of the low mountain range which runs along the southern shore of the Sea of Marmora, there comes into view the beautiful snow-capped Olympus, a mountain rising seven thousand feet above the broad valley at our feet.

On the side of the mountain nature has leveled a wide terrace, and watered it well with springs and rivulets. Here, among acacia, cypress, and ancient sycamore trees, is the city of Brussa, founded in 185 B. C. This city acquired no great importance until it became, nearly six hundred years ago, the capital of Turkey. It now has a population of about one hundred thousand, more half of which is Greek and Armenian, although Turkish is the language spoken by all.

We may go a short distance up the mountainside into the park, from which we get a good view of the city and of the plain beyond. The most striking feature of the view is the forest of white minarets. Nowhere are they more numerous than in Brussa. It is in the little balconies which encircle the minarets near their tops that the priests stand and call the people to prayers.

In the center of the city is the Big Mosque, curious for its roof of many little domes, instead of the large one. If we go down to the mosque, remove our boots, and put on the slippers that are provided at the entrance, we may enter and walk about the carpeted floor, while the worshipers kneel or sit to read the Koran, or recite their prayers. The walls are richly decorated and covered with Arabic inscriptions, but there are no pictures. The Turks will not make "any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath." Consequently, their architecture consists mainly of geometrical designs, relieved only by the characters of Arabic writing.

A visit to the Dervish temple is of interest. The Dervishes have many curious ceremonies, which they execute with an air of serious devotion. But to the visitors who gather round their arena, they have the aspect of theatrical performers. The worship is a series of marchings and bowings and reciting prayers, and a lengthy reading from the gallery. Another interesting performance is the whirling march to a musical accompaniment by an orchestra. The worshipers, barefooted and clad in a white skirt, pass around the arena in a circle, while, with arms extended, they spin around with great speed, causing their skirts to take the shape of cones. This performance continues for half an hour or more, when the dancers become exhausted and quietly retire.

Beyond the Big Mosque is the citadel, situated on an eminence overlooking the city. At one time the palace of the sultan was here; but now all that remains of interest are the tombs of Othman I and of his son, Orkhan. As we look through the window at the grave of the great Othman, our interest is renewed in a remarkable prophecy; and we remember that, like Cyrus of old, this king was named by inspiration long before he was born. The name given to him in Scripture, however, is not Othman, but Apollyon, or Destroyer. See Rev. 9: 11. And history shows that this name was well merited, as like a scourge he came upon the apostate church of the Eastern Roman empire.