A FEW years ago a young Syrian who had spent some time in the State of Iowa, United States, and had come in contact with our people there, paid a short visit to his parents in Syria. He brought a copy of “Bible Readings for the Home Circle” along, and soon after his arrival spoke of its contents to the Presbyterian pastor of his town. The pastor began examining the subject of the Sabbath, and became convinced that it is binding upon all Christians to-day, and began to observe it. Shortly after, in a district conference of the Presbyterian pastors and teachers, he openly defended his Sabbath-keeping, bringing proofs which they could not answer.
Not knowing that there were representatives of our mission in this country, he went to America, to become acquainted with our work. His church and the director of his mission field gave him good testimonials. After spending one month in New York, the brethren there decided to send him to Berrien Springs, where he remained six months, and then returned to this country. All this occurred without the knowledge of any of our Syrian workers.
After his arrival in Beirut, the writer proceeded with him to his former charges, at the source of the Jordan, at the foot of Mount Hermon. From the middle of June until November, 1903, Brother Zarub and myself visited the villages and towns in the territory extending from Mount Hermon southward to ancient Tyre. We first visited the village of Am Konia, at the southern slope of Mount Hermon. This village is composed of Christians, Jews, and Druses. A few days after our arrival, the local teachers went to the government town, and reported us to the authorities, saying that two men had come bringing a new religion.
They sent officers the next day, who examined our papers, and then reported to their superiors. The following day the chief ruler of the district came himself, and forbade our holding any meetings at all. However, Brother Zarub used the opportunity to preach the message to the ruler.
This experience is a specimen of the freedom we have in all Turkey. We then went from village to village, presenting especially the truths concerning the second coming of Christ. A relative of Brother Zarub and the wife of a teacher began the observance of the Sabbath in the district. Brother Zarub’s wife opposed the truth when we returned, but is now keeping the Sabbath, and walking in the light. Many of his relatives and former church-members are under conviction, and we expect more fruit in the near future. In his birthplace the people reported that he had become insane through religion. But after we arrived there, they soon saw that he had a good foundation for his faith. We quickly had a very good interest, and confidently expect some to take their stand fully.
This part of Syria was greatly agitated last summer and autumn by the cholera breaking out in different towns. At the same time the Bedouins (roving Arabs) attacked several of the villagers, robbing and even killing some. However, all these things caused the people to think seriously of the truths presented to them. Owing to a strict quarantine, our movements were greatly restricted. Since we have returned to Beirut, we are receiving calls for literature from the places visited last summer, and from all appearances the seed sown will soon bear more fruit.
We also had the pleasure of visiting two of the American war-ships frequently while they were protecting American interests here this winter. We distributed many papers among the crews, besides selling about twenty-five of our subscription books in the English and German languages. Since the recent uprising, in which about thirty persons have been killed among the Christians and Mohammedans, the city has been visited first by great want among the poorer classes, and immediately after that an epidemic of smallpox broke out, which has not yet fully subsided. We need, and ask for, the prayers of God’s people, that the work may go with a convincing and convicting power.
