OUR MESSAGE IN TURKEY by Z. G. Baharian

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1901

OUR MESSAGE IN TURKEY

By Z. G. Baharian

I FEEL urged to write something about our message in Turkey, where the principles of true Christianity and those of heathenism are at war, specially during the last three years. The readers of the REVIEW remember how our experience ended in triumph year before last. May 1, 1899, brought us the glad tidings that I was granted by the minister of the interior freedom to preach the gospel. Our meeting-house was reopened after being left shut about six months. You remember that this freedom was granted in answer to my cutting protest against the second prohibiting commandment of the government, by which I was imprisoned in Constantinople jail.

When the freedom was granted, I was already released from the jail, consenting to the proposition of the minister of the police that I should not go out of Constantinople without his consent. So a bail bond was written and signed by three persons. But the commandment of the minister of the interior granting me freedom, made void the bail bond. Then I intended to start on a journey into Asia Minor. But my guarantees, who signed the bail bond, were afraid lest any harm should happen them. So I was obliged to ask the consent of the minister of the police. He could not refuse it, but being in enmity with our message, could try to abolish my freedom. This was the worst step that could be taken by us. He referred the question back to the minister of the interior, with big accusations, as if I was agitating trouble in establishing a new religion. The minister of the interior referred the question back to the director of the religions. This man, being friendly with us, answered in a plausible way, saying that several months ago he had made his mind known about this religion, but the question of traveling was not a matter belonging to his department. Then the minister of the interior referred the question to the prime minister. As soon as I learned about it, we gave a petition to him concerning our civil matters; such as marriages, passports, etc. The prime minister counseled with the minister of the exterior, and accordingly sent his answer to the minister of the interior. To this point I could follow the proceedings, but just at this point it was kept secret till Oct. 29, 1900, when Brother Conradi and myself called on the minister of the interior to learn further about it. He let us know that the parliament has decided not to acknowledge any new religion. So the Sabbatarian religion must be stopped. When we called on the director of the religions, the same answer was received. So our freedom to preach and to hold meetings was once more taken from us.

Brother Conradi finished his work, and departed in peace. Two days passed, when I was called by the police court, and was told by the president that our meeting-house would be closed, and that we must stop preaching, because the government does not acknowledge our religion. I told him that we can not leave our faith, but they too are free to do whatever they would. Hardly I could speak, and I was driven out. Now our meeting-house is closed, and we hold our meetings in private houses, which are also forbidden by the same law. We are sure that we shall soon be found out.

We hear that this prohibiting commandment is being sent to all provinces. In Adapazar and vicinity, in the province of Nicomedia, our brethren have met severe opposition. They have strictly been forbidden coming together, even two persons, and a Protestant tax-collector has been appointed as a guardian over them, that whenever they come together he should inform the police.

As you see, this is a time of trial for us. It is just the same time as of three faithful young men of the book of Daniel. Oh, we need the power of God abundantly! The Turkish government pretends to be the judge of religions. It is only by its acknowledgment that a religion can have existence. Now the Lord has brought us just to this time, that we may bear witness to the power of God, even to this nation, at the risk of our lives. Pray for us. Controversy is the same all over the world.

Z. G. BAHARIAN.