A. W. GEORGE, M. D by A. W. George

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 23, 1906

A. W. GEORGE, M. D

By A. W. George

Turkey

In company with my wife and our native worker, Sister Asnive Inedjian, I recently enjoyed a visit to Brusa. This is the largest city in Asia Minor, except Smyrna, and is famous in history as the capital of the Turkish empire for one hundred and fifty years, also for its many mosques and tombs of the sultans. We had the opportunity of visiting several of these tombs, the most interesting to us being that of Othman, the first king of Turkey and founder of the Ottoman empire, doubtless the one referred to in Rev. 9:1. In one of these tombs we saw one of the horse's tails mentioned in Rev. 9:19. The tail was attached around the end of a round stick, in the end of which our attendant said was originally a spear-head. These curious things were carried as ensigns in the army. In Brusa we have a company of about fifteen Sabbath-keepers. We found it a pleasure to study with these earnest brethren and sisters the special truths for this time. Especially on Sabbath and Sunday the blessing of the Lord was with us. Five were baptized, and the ordinances were celebrated. To avoid being molested by the people, the baptism was performed at night. About midnight, under cover of the darkness, we scrambled down the deep gulch to the small stream that flows through the city. Although hidden from the gaze of the world, we believe that the angels were present to record our efforts to follow the command of the Lord. This city is an important place, and if it could be thoroughly worked, I feel confident that by God's blessing a strong church would be raised up.

From here we went a day's journey by carriage to Seuleus, an Armenian village not far from the ancient city of Nicea. It appears to be but a small village, yet there are crowded into it almost five thousand persons. It seems too bad that, while the surroundings are so beautiful and healthful, these people should crowd together and allow themselves to be practically buried in the accumulated filth. Fortunately, the living-rooms are kept clean. The farmers in this country do not live on their own farms or gardens, but crowd together as closely as possible into unkept villages. The fear of bandits and robbers has brought about this condition. Here we found a company of twelve or more of our people. I had not met this company before, and they were all very glad to see us and to lay aside their work and listen to what we had to give them. Here also five were baptized. On our return home we stopped at Nicea, famous as the place where assembled the Council of Nicea, A. D. 325. We visited the spot where the palace of Constantine stood in which the council was held. Some of the foundation-stones still remain.

At Ismid Brother Kapriel Perinian, elder of the church in Bardezag, boarded our train, and we were glad to learn from him of the good work that is going on in his church. The Spirit of God is working for both old and young, and a number who were backslidden have taken hold anew. The children and youth have united to seek the Lord and study the Word. Elder Conradi was at this place some weeks ago. He baptized one brother and eleven young persons. God's blessing has followed his visit. We have decided to start, as soon as possible, a school for training workers at this place. The brethren are giving liberally for it.

Our people in Turkey love the truth, and are willing to sacrifice for it; but they need some one to travel among them and teach them. We hope and pray that God will raise up workers for this field. There is now a spirit of moving forward, and I hope some one will come and help us, and that the call that Elder Conradi has made for ministers and workers for the Oriental Union will meet with an immediate response.