ITEMS FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN FIELD.
By H. P. Holser
In my last report I called attention to the vast extent of this field and the scarcity of workers. I now give a few extracts from letters, showing the experience these workers are passing through, and the degree of blessing attending their efforts. Brother H. A. Henderson writes of the work in Greece:— “Evangelistic work is being done in Greece. Its leader proved to be the man to whom I had the letter of introduction. The government has done a great deal against him, nevertheless he has a small church in Athens. He has a few colporteurs at work here and in Crete. One of them was a minister in Piraeus [the port of Athens]. He received his education in America, and speaks Bulgarian, Greek, French, and English. His wife is a German, a Bible worker, and speaks French, English, and Polish. This gentleman became convinced that he should be baptized, and was immersed, for which he was dismissed from his position. He and his wife then moved to a suburb of Nauplia, and began evangelistic work. When I learned of them, and called on them, they received me kindly, and asked me to assist them in their meetings; however, in the second meeting the police came, and ordered the meetings stopped. This was the work of the high priest, because Brother — would not permit him to sprinkle the house with holy water. . . . The brother and his wife have been studying the Bible considerably with me. . . . At present they are eagerly reading on the Sabbath question. Brother — told me that he wishes to be sure it is right, and then he will take a firm stand. God grant that he may see it!” I received a letter a few days ago from the independent Baptist missionary in Syra. He said they were reading the tracts and books that I left with them, and urged me to visit them again. “They are with us on the Lord’s soon coming and many health principles. . . . Many others are interested. The great question I have to meet is the cross: the people worship it as much as any heathen ever worshiped an idol.” Brother J. H. Krum writes from Jaffa, Palestine, as follows:— “I have had opportunity to treat three Germans often of late, with the result that one, a young man, a vegetarian, promised to keep next Sabbath. Since Brother Hörner is here, we are gradually gaining friends among the Germans and the Jews. One of the latter, a poor but very promising, quiet, unassuming man, seems to be genuinely converted. . . . I hope soon to see several interested Jews confess Christ openly. As for the Mohammedans, thus far only five have been baptized. Many believe, but are afraid. A decree has gone forth that every Moslem who visits my house shall be taken as a soldier to serve six years.” One, a sheikh who has been in prison nearly all summer, has been sent to Arabia as a soldier. This means either a return to the Mohammedan faith or death. This is the usual method,—to send converts to Christianity to the interior as soldiers, or on some government errand, and then dispose of them if they do not recant. But the Lord can use this very means to carry the truth to Arabia. The experience of the laborers abundantly justifies the claim that this great field is white for the harvest. Shall we not, like the disciples of old, pray the Lord to send forth more laborers? As in the days of the Master, may these fields so full of perishing souls soon hear the glad tidings of the gospel that the Lord has committed to us!