News From Haran-2 by Z. G. BAHARIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1905

News From Haran—2

By Z. G. BAHARIAN

Z. G. BAHARIAN

JANUARY 2 the accusation made against us was returned from Aleppo’s council. We were called up by the judge, and a copy of that accusation was given us. Then we could know definitely what we had been accused of. The following is a brief statement of it:—

“That they have formed a committee law at Constantinople, under the presidency of Zadour Baharian, making an excuse the preaching of Sabbatarian religion, and have correspondence; that though they pretend that they do this correspondence in order to preach the mentioned religion, it has been found that there is in Constantinople a treasury for this purpose, and that Enock, who had been formerly accused for this same preaching, has a salary of two liras from this treasury, which is paid through Zadour Baharian; that there have been found the following important words among the writings arrested and gathered: ‘The wheels of the throne of God are as wheels in wheels;’ and, ‘May God forgive the officers of the government, because they do not know what they do. If they should know that their own life is in the message you are giving, they would set you on throne;’ and ‘my address is again at British post-office;’ and ‘this is a means for the Southern field, but thousands of copies might be sent to the North;’ ‘lately we sent you a letter and some copper;’ ‘there have been gatherings at Lazarus’ house in Samatia, and at Toannis’ house in Scutary;’ ‘I spun the worsted for stockings, and it made two pairs;’ ‘Hadji Nazur Kupelian has been punished with Alexan Buzugherian;’ ‘received the diamond and the tin and the tin flowered;’ ‘their arresting the letter is wrong, because I had put it in the sack. I do not think that they looked for and took it;’ ‘our wound is hearty. This, too, might not be established;’ ‘I met a few good timbers;’ ‘the place where you are has attracted my attention;’ ‘a great light shone to the people who sit in darkness;’ ‘I am sowing seeds in Constantinople. O, would that I had seen the fruits also.’ From their other writings and correspondence through British and French post-offices, while they are Turkish subjects, and their having correspondence with America, it has been proved that they travel pretending to preach the gospel, and create insurrection against the government, and they are guilty, according to the sixty-sixth topic of the law of punishment, and so they must be accused.”

When this was presented to us, five days were given us to protest, if we would, against it to the council of accusation at Constantinople, and to hire a lawyer and prepare for the trial. We did not protest, because it would take at least eight months. We hired a lawyer, and entered into trial, believing that God would overrule in the case.

On January 16 we were called up to the court for the first time. Our case was united with that of Brother E. Aywazian. Time was given the general attorney to accuse us, who read a long accusation, bringing out all the points in the paper of accusation sent from Aleppo, and adding many other points, the chief being that we do not obey the government in preaching our religion. The general attorney took all the time allotted, and our trial was deferred to another day.

One week later we were called up the second time. Many had come to hear our trial. First I was asked to explain the sentence, ‘The wheels of God’s throne are as wheels in wheels.’ I opened my Bible, and read the first chapter of Ezekiel, and told them that the purpose of God in the events of his providence is manifold, as in the case of Joseph. They seemed to be content, seeing that this sentence had been borrowed from the Bible. Brother Alexan was then called to stand, and was questioned as to whom he preached the gospel. He answered that he preached to all. Then he was asked if the Moslems are included in the “all.” “Yes, sir,” he replied. Then he was asked if he preached to Moslems, and what he preached, and if any accepted the gospel. He answered that he had preached to Moslems, and told them that Christ is the Son of God, and only through his name salvation is possible to all; that he had preached to them the law of God, the second coming of Christ, and other truths, but that he was sorry no one had yet accepted the truth.

The president judge asked me also to whom I preached. I opened the Bible to the sixteenth chapter of Mark, and read that we should preach to all nations. I was asked whether Moslems are included in the “all nations.” I answered, “Yes.” These questions were purposely asked, because the general attorney had accused us of preaching to Moslems and creating a tumult. From our answers they learned that the way of salvation to Moslems also is the gospel. This testimony stirred them to anger. They knew what our answer would be. They asked these questions to stir themselves to anger against us. They knew well that we had committed no political crime, but they would have us found guilty before the Turkish religion.

<i>Aintab, Turkey.</i>