p. 14 | News From Haran-9 by Z. G. BAHARIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 11, 1906

News From Haran—9

By Z. G. BAHARIAN

Z. G. BAHARIAN

When our ninth trial was ended, we saw very clearly that our case would be brought to an end immediately. The next day, June 8, early in the morning, the overseers visited the jail. One by one the prisoners were called to them, and their condition was investigated. When our turn came, the chief overseer told us that once more we would be called up, and our trial be ended, and that we should not speak at length. We gave them another petition which we had written, presenting many other points in which we were robbed of our rights. As soon as they returned to their office, they called two members of the court, and gave them a strict commandment to finish our trial quickly and justly.

At eight o’clock (Turkish time—three hours after noon) we were called up for the last time. There were several letters left to be read. The clerk read them, but no question was asked us. It was evident that they were trying to hurry through. No paper or letter was left unread. Then time was given the general attorney to present his last accusation, which he did, accusing us very heavily. After he had finished, time was given our advocate to speak in our defense. Then we were allowed to speak in our own defense. I spoke about an hour against the accusations of the general attorney. I will mention a few of them:—

1. He stated that Baharian had said that Jesus commanded that we should not obey the government, therefore we were not obeying the Turkish government. To this I said, “Jesus has not said anything like this, and I have not spoken to that effect. What we say is that all governments are under the rule of Jesus. There is not a government in any part of the earth which is not under his rule. The Turkish government is under his rule, and we ought to obey it. But if it enacts laws which are contrary to the law of God, then we should obey the Lord, and not the government. The government must not require such things from us.”

2. The general attorney stated that Baharian said we preach the gospel to all nations. The result will be the anger of the nations against them, and a tumult will be created, which our government would find it difficult to suppress. As an answer to this, I read the tenth chapter of Matthew, and explained that the Master of the gospel said it would be so, for which we are not responsible. It is true that the preaching of the gospel creates a tumult; but this is not against the government, but against us; we shall bear the harm, and not the government, etc.

When I had finished my defense, time was given my brethren, who spoke very briefly, confirming what I had said. Then at eleven o’clock, an hour before sunset, the council of the judges entered into their council room to decide our cases. After fifteen minutes they came out with the verdict, “Not guilty,” which the clerk read as follows:—

“Though Mr. Baharian and his three companions have been arrested and accused as insurgents, in their trial it has been found that all their printed papers were printed by special permission from the government, and that their letters contained nothing against the government, all being in harmony with the Bible, and that the Armenian national hymn had no relation to them. Therefore, we declare them not guilty.” This was signed by only two Christian members, which was enough for our freedom or acquittal. The Moslem members have not signed it, saying that our testimony was contrary to their religion. We were sent back to jail, and in half an hour were dismissed. All the prisoners were astonished that our God had saved us.

We went to our hotel, where our first duty was to kneel down and thank the Lord for this miracle. The next day we called on the overseers, and expressed our gratitude for their justice. They told us all that had been done for our freedom. We saw that God had united all the means very marvelously for our deliverance. Our freedom gave much rejoicing to the people of Ourfa. Wherever we went, all congratulated us for this deliverance. All were satisfied. We at once telegraphed to our people in many places, to make them glad. Rejoice with us, all the people of God, because he made the truth triumph, because he worked a mighty miracle for us.

Aintab, Turkey.