News From Haran-8 by Z. G. BAHARIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 4, 1906

News From Haran—8

By Z. G. BAHARIAN

Z. G. BAHARIAN

Our eighth trial was on May 18. When we were presented before the court, we saw that the presiding judge was planning to have the clerk read other letters, even though there were a very few points in the former letters to which we wished to give explanations. I arose, and proposed to present these explanations. The president opposed, knowing that these would be to them a stumbling-block in their determined course. For about half an hour I tried to have my explanations read, and at last succeeded.

The first point to be explained was the misuse made of all our writings. They were taking quotations from our letters, cutting them off from their connections, and giving to them political meanings, as they pleased. Our protest was powerful, and the judge could not bear it. Before I had half finished, he ended the trial for that day, and postponed it to another time, murmuring that he would not call us again before a month.

On May 25 we heard of the sudden and unexpected arrival of two overseers, to investigate all the proceedings of the court for the space of eight years. These officers were those appointed especially for the provinces of Adana and Aleppo. One of them was a Moslem, and the other a Greek. We prayed to God, and then wrote a petition containing all the unjust points in our past trials. This petition we forwarded to them through a friend, an American missionary lady. The Greek officer had called to see her charity institutions. This was her best opportunity to hand our petition to him. This she did, telling him of our innocence. My wife also had called on this man last year, when she had gone to Aleppo in our behalf, and explained to him our principles. God stirred his heart to do right. After reading our petitions, he sent for all the papers, letters, and proceedings of the court. After a careful review, he was fully convinced that we had no political guilt, and determined to work for our freedom.

He and his companions called the president and the general attorney, and commanded them to finish our trial soon, and in justice, declaring that in their investigations of us they had found no guilt. The president called the other members of the court, and informed them of the command of the overseers. On June 7 we were called up again for trial, and the whole afternoon was spent for our cause. We saw that the attitude of the court was different. We were allowed to ask what we would, and to say what we desired.

My explanation was completed first. Then the president handed the clerk the first prohibiting commandment of the minister of the interior against our preaching, issued about eight years ago. The clerk read it. Then I took some time to explain how and why it was issued against us, and how it was annulled by another commandment from the same

minister, issued about six years ago, permitting me to preach. The general attorney then asked me: “Why, then, did Shurai Devlet issue another commandment against you?” I then explained minutely the purpose of that commandment. It was issued not because we were insurgents, but because the government was not willing to create another nation because of this new religion. Other religions have been national religions, and the government has committed to each some of the civil works, as marriage, the first notes for citizen papers and passports, etc. These civil works can be performed only when one is a member of these acknowledged religions. Outside of these religions, one is considered an outlaw. No one can marry, travel, buy or sell ground or houses. As Protestant representatives denied that we were Protestants, we were in the condition where our civil rights could not be secured to us. We appealed to the government for these rights. According to the principle of the government, there was only one way to secure these rights, and that was to make our religion national, and so create another nation. As this was a great task for the government, it took the only other possible step, that is, to prohibit our religion. After explaining these things, I told them very plainly that our religion can not be a national one. Our purpose is to preach the gospel, and not to create a nation. We can not take upon us the performance of civil works that belong to the government. We are a church, and not a nation. I was very glad for this opportunity, because this was the heart of our message.

Several other papers were read, and we gave proper replies. The day was spent, and our trial was left till the next day for completion.

Aintab, Turkey.