Armenian Mission Field by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 29, 1912

Armenian Mission Field

By Z. G. Baharian

Z. G. BAHARIAN

ON Sept. 12, 1911, I left Mush for Diarbekir. It took seven days to make the trip. On my way I stopped over Sabbath in Lidja, where I found several disciples. This company had several years ago drawn away from the work in Turkey, and they were left in a pitiful condition. They could not conscientiously unite with the Congregationalists, and could not keep up their position as a separate church. I had interesting talks with them in those two days, and tried to encourage them with the present truth. I will follow them with correspondence.

Diarbekir is a city of medium size, situated on the river Tigris. The Congregationalists have a church here, and schools for boys and girls. One morning as I was having my breakfast in my room, the door opened, and a well-dressed young man entered. He was looking for another preacher. Seeing that I also was a minister, he sat down and for several hours listened to the truth. I found that he is the pastor of the Congregationalist Church in a village near by. He preaches in Arabic, and as he showed much interest, I ordered several tracts for him in that language.

I found Diarbekir a fruitful province. The shores of the river Tigris produce plenty of large, sweet watermelons and muskmelons. An ordinary watermelon weighs thirty pounds, and some weigh sixty pounds. I was told that some kinds weigh as high as one hundred eighty pounds. Two watermelons would make a heavy load for a camel. Bread is cheap.

Traveling on horse four days, I arrived at Mamuret ul-Aziz, the capital of Kharput province. Here I remained five days. I went to Malatia in three days. Malatia is the first city of Armenia where our message entered. In 1898 when I visited Adana, one young man had accepted the truth, and our Brother Alexan Buzugherian, taking from him the address of a noted Protestant in Malatia, had sent the latter several Armenian tracts. This man and about forty other persons at once obeyed the commandments of God. This new and strange doctrine when practised enraged the people, especially the Protestants, and they stirred up the government against the believers, causing the noted ones to be arrested and imprisoned. Seeing this danger, many turned back; but the three imprisoned ones and two others stood fast in the truth.

God delivered them from prison, and they were sent to Mamuret ul-Aziz. The government found them faultless, but in order to quiet the wrath of the people, ordered them to close their shops on Sunday. These brethren have continued in the truth until now, except the first one, who sleeps in Jesus. In 1907 I visited them and baptized four brethren, and in 1910 two sisters were baptized.

This time I found the situation wholly different. The Protestant church was without a pastor. Sunday, October 1, I was invited to preach. The people were so affected that they began to beseech me to remain and help them. They were very willing to give me the pulpit Sundays. They were so earnest in their proposal that I was thinking of changing my field of labor to Malatia for the next winter. Just at this critical moment, Brother Bedros Tousdjian, a man of talent, whom we had called to be a worker, arrived from Albistan. After consulting about the situation, it was decided that he remain at Malatia. The burden left me, and with a glad heart I went on to Eghian.

Since leaving there I have received two letters from Brother Tousdjian. He has found much favor with the Protestants, who have willingly given their pulpit to him. He is preaching to them on Sundays, and holding another meeting on Thursdays. He also visits their homes and holds Bible readings, and in his own room he is giving a special course of Bible study. This seems a wonderful miracle. God has changed the times, glory to his name! We expect a good harvest from Malatia. Remember this field in your prayers.

Takat, Turkey.