Z. G. BAHARIAN by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 26, 1903

Z. G. BAHARIAN

By Z. G. Baharian

Turkey

The summer of this year was one of activity and effort on the part of our brethren in Asia Minor. Seeing that the field is large, and the laborers are few, some were moved to leave their own work to give the message round about their cities. Hadjin in Cilicia was the center of this movement. A brother eighteen years old, who was in the snare of Satan, was aroused to seek the Lord, and leaving his shop, he traveled from village to village till he came to Kaisery. In some places he was heartily received; he preached in Protestant churches, and awakened a good interest. In one place a preacher began to obey the truth, but not being willing to bear the censure of his people, went back to them. In Tashji Keny a good interest was awakened. Two Greek brothers obeyed the truth under many persecutions. They are steadfast. The people of the village drove away our brother when they saw that some had begun to obey.

Another brother, a tin-maker, receiving a donation of twelve dollars from a brother in Aintab, left Hadjin and went to Tashji Keny to take up the work left by the former brother.

Again a brother from Hadjin donated ten dollars to a brother in Aksaray, in the province of Iconium, who also accepting it, left his shop to his partner, and went to Cappadocia. On his way he stopped at Arabsoun, where a brother accepted the truth through his labors several months ago. Then he proclaimed the message in Kir-Shehr. Knowing that Denek Maden is a good center, he went there, and at once a good interest was awakened. Many began to call him to houses and shops to hear the truth. This created an evil feeling in some hearts, and at once they stirred the police against him. The police arrested him, confiscated his papers, imprisoned him, investigated very closely, telegraphed to the pasha in Angora (Galatia) to know what to do to him. The pasha answered that he should be sent to him. So our brother was sent to Angora under guard. As soon as he arrived there, the police delivered him, taking a bail bond. About two weeks he stayed in Angora, preaching the message. The pasha, after investigating his papers, decided to send him to his country under guard.

While this brother was away from Aksaray, his partner, who also is a believer, wrote me an interesting letter, stating that two souls have obeyed the truth in Aksaray. For two years they have been studying the message under conviction of its truth. At last the Lord has strengthened them to obey. Last week another letter brought me the glad tidings of the obedience of a third one. Now we have there a small group of believers, consisting of eight souls. The new ones have had much trouble from their relatives, but they have had the victory. Surely the Spirit of the Lord is working in the hearts.

Our worker in Aintab went to the east beyond Euphrates to Ourfa. This city is like Sodom. I am glad that this worker was able to create an interest. Some began to call on him. A man who had come there from the northeast heard the message, obeyed it, and carried it to his home—Merdin, Diyarbekir. September 27 I received a telegram from our worker, stating that he has been arrested and imprisoned in Ourfa. Since then he has written several letters from the prison. The inmates are so crowded together in the prison—seventeen persons in a small room—that he has no rest day nor night. Cholera also has begun in the prison house. We do not know what to do for him. Our only hope is in God. Surely he knows the circumstances, and has a good purpose in letting him go there.

Brethren and sisters, pray for the work in this field. It seems that the Lord has begun to vivify the hearts. In my next I have more to tell you.