And Also the Greek by W. E. Howell

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

“And Also the Greek”

By W. E. Howell

The whole eastern half of the Mediterranean is essentially Greek. There are about ten or eleven million Greeks altogether. The countries of Turkey, Palestine, Egypt, and the northern shores of Africa as far west as Algiers, are all familiar with the Greek language.

As to the Greeks of to-day, their religion and their education both teach them to look backward—backward for their moral and social ideals and for the basis of their national pride.

As to religion, while we may well look backward to the life and teachings of Christ for our moral and spiritual ideals, yet if we must view them through a telescope darkened and blurred with the traditions of men; with the adoration of saints, relics, and pictures; with the literal use of crosses, holy oil, candles, feasts, and fasts; and with individual ignorance of the pure, simple teachings of the Word of God, looking backward ceases to be a virtue. It constitutes, rather, a serious impediment to the entrance of that gospel which points us forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord.

But “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow.” In this, and in this only, we trust for results in Greece.

W. E. HOWELL.