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In the Country of the Apostle Paul

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 44.

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In the Country of the Apostle Paul

By C. D. AcMoody

Tarsus is an ancient city. It was probably founded in the eighth or ninth century B. C. by Asshur-nasir-pal the Assyrian. It is located in a most fertile plain, and is the gateway to the great mountain pass, “The Cilician Gates,” leading through the Taurus Mountains and connecting Cilicia and Cappadocia.
Through Tarsus and this pass marched the armies of Cyrus and Alexander. It was the connecting link between the Mediterranean, and the Halys River and the Black Sea in the time of the Cæsars. The Turkish government has constructed a pike road through the pass, and it is now the great thoroughfare for the camel caravans between Kaisarieh (Cæsarea) and the sea. In making a recent journey through this region, eight days by carriage, we passed one caravan of over two hundred camels.
Augustus made Tarsus a free city. It ranked withAntioch and Alexandria as a city of great learning. The nobility of Rome sent to Tarsus for tutors for their children. So Paul could well say, “I am a citizen of no mean city.”
But of late our attention has been especially called to Tarsus, Adana, and vicinity because of the atrocious massacres of last spring. During this time thousands of men, women, and children were slaughtered. Among these were six good devoted Armenian Seventh-day Adventist brethren, one of whom was the elder of our church at Adana, and one a young man of the same church who gave promise of becoming a successful evangelist. The latter was shot while on his knees in prayer. The superintendent of our Sabbath-school at Tarsus was driven from home and robbed of all his belongings. Thus suffering and earthly loss are endured for the gospel’s sake in the land of the apostle Paul.
1. CONSTANTINOPLE 2. GERMAN COLONY, MT. CARMEL, SYRIA 3. GREEKS
  1. CONSTANTINOPLE
  2. GERMAN COLONY, MT. CARMEL, SYRIA
  3. GREEKS
Whether you consider it politically, religiously, or prophetically, no other country in the world to-day occupies a position of so unique importance as does the Turkish empire.
No longer can we maintain the plea that Turkey is so largely a closed field that it will not pay to spend our energies upon it until the door is opened, for now the door is open. How important that we should be ready to enter these regions beyond at these critical moments!
C. D. AcMoody.