p. 13 | News From Haran*-7 by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1905

News From Haran—7

By Z. G. Baharian

Z. G. BAHARIAN

Our seventh trial was on May 11. A letter was read which was written by Brother G. Simionyan, of Aksaray (Iconium), to Brother A. Buzugherian. It was a long letter, telling of his experience in preaching the message in the province of Angora (Galatia). It was interesting, and full of faith.

“Brother Simionyan has left Aksaray, and gone to Denegmaden, and has there distributed tracts and the ten commandments. Many have been interested. But a certain man of naughty heart has hated him, and delivered him to the police, lest this denomination should be established there.”

In reading this part of the letter, I saw that the word naughty had been changed to our wound. The Turkish of naughty is yaramaz, and that of our wound is yaramiz. The clerk read yaramiz, instead of yaramaz. At once I raised objection, and proposed a correction in the translation. I saw great disappointment on the face of the general attorney, because he had taken it as strongest proof against us that our letters contained political things. He had shaped the preceding words in the following manner: “Our wound is with heart. Let this also be not invented.” That is, “The Armenian nation was once wounded, and it is a deep wound. Let this also be not invented—not receive another wound.” But when the correction was made, and the words preceding and following were read, it was openly seen that this was a planned misconstruction.

I wanted to say more, but the president hindered me, and commanded that the letter should be read. The clerk continued his reading: “Brother Simionyan has been arrested, and sent to Angora, where, through a bail bond, he has been set free. There he has had talks with many, and has met with some sincere souls, calling them good timbers.” The general attorney had taken this, also, to prove that we use dark sentences to talk with each other of political things. The president asked Brother Buzugherian if he could show from the Bible that men are called timbers. He opened his Bible, and read 1 Cor. 3:9-17. Then he explained that the people of God are his building, Christ being the foundation-stone, and the individuals different timbers in the building. To this the president objected; but nothing availed. The clerk again continued:—“Brother G. Simionyan has come at last from Angora to Aksaray, but here also Satan has poured his anger, stirring

the government against him.” The president asked us what this meant, but without waiting for the answer, let the clerk read on. He did this purposely, to prove that we speak against the government. The reading of the letter showed how much our brethren of Aksaray have been troubled, but have stood fast in the faith.

The clerk then read another letter. It was written by Brother Hadji Kupelian, of Hadjin, to Brother A. Buzugherian. This, also, was very interesting. Brother Kupelian was describing his experience in preaching the message at Tekke. He is a tin maker, and went there to work and preach. For working on Sunday he had been attacked by a mob, and the police had intervened. Then he was sent to Hadjin. Brother Buzugherian was asked for some explanation, which he gave. This letter also showed that the government is acting against us, and what our brethren are enduring.

The president handed another letter to the clerk to read. This was from my wife to Brother Buzugherian, telling about my last imprisonment at Constantinople. The president asked me to give a full report of it. Then I gladly described the reason for my imprisonment. I said I was called by the minister of police, and requested to give bail not to preach. To this I did not consent. Then the minister of police wrote to the minister of interior. No fault was found in me; but to avoid more inconvenience, I was sent to Aintab. My description took a long time, at the end of which the president said: “Do you see? You have not been worthy to be left in Constantinople!” “Yes,” I said, “a day is coming when we shall not be considered worthy to be left in the world, also.” The president replied, “God knows it. God knows it,” and our trial was ended for that day.

<span style="font-style: italic;">Aintab, Turkey.</span>