Turkey by Robert S. Greaves

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

Turkey

By Robert S. Greaves

ROBERT S. GREAVES

At our last general meeting it was thought best that I should leave Smyrna for a time, and make another trip to Albania, which place I have just reached, holding our first service at the town of Vostina. Our brother here has just started a small store, and has left me an up-stairs room for meetings. I have fixed it up the best I could, using a number of empty petroleum barrels for seats, covering a desk and a few special seats with our traveling blankets, and hanging our charts on the wall. Altogether, it makes a very respectable appearance.

We have a good attendance, and I must now hunt up more boxes, for all our seats were occupied last night. A Turkish policeman stayed all this evening, and another Mohammedan came in toward the close of the meeting. The rest were Jews and Greeks. My earnest prayer is for wisdom and grace, that each may hear the gospel in the way that will most appeal to him. I earnestly desire your prayers, that God's work may not be marred at my hands, but that it may appear in all its beauty to these souls who live in darkness. Much uphill work must be done, and great barriers torn down, but a comforting thought is that the gospel is the power of God. Rom. 1:16 comes to my mind over and over, and strengthens me for my work.

There is in all this country only one family of Sabbath-keepers who believe the message. But I have confidence that our work will spread rapidly, if we but trust in the Lord and go forward.

On my way here, I called at Greece, and met a new Sabbath-keeper, with whom I had been corresponding. His name had been sent to me by friends in America, who were also corresponding with him, and felt anxious that he should accept the truth. After a short time he took his stand firmly for it. He lives just outside Athens, and I believe will be a great help to us. He speaks English, has a bright mind, and, better than all else, has a consecrated heart. The prayers and good letters of his American relatives have not been without influence; as he showed me some of these letters, I felt that the Lord would bless the dear ones who had written in such a spirit of true love and Christianity. I would that all our brethren in America, who have friends in other countries, would write such letters; then our missionaries would find many open doors awaiting them.

This brother agrees with us on every point of truth, and as he wished baptism,

we walked a few miles to the foot of the mountains. Near the ruins of an old monastery, we found a large stone cistern, about nine feet square, into which a pure stream of water was running, and escaping through a hole in the bottom. Formerly this cistern had been used as a reservoir by the monks. By stopping up the hole, we soon had an abundance of fresh, pure water. Here our first baptism in Greece took place, as our brother was buried with his Lord in the watery grave. A new-born creature arose, one who was filled with happiness and praise to God. This brother stands alone in Greece as a representative of the truth. Were it not that our Father carries the burden, I do not know what we could do. When in the future we see mighty things accomplished, we shall all the more willingly ascribe the praise to him whose power wins our battles and victories.

I expect to be away from home for some months, and my wife will remain in Smyrna to help our little company during my absence. We are all of good courage, for we believe the Lord has wonderful things in store for us.

Vostina, Albania.