Constantinople, May 25, 1902
By Z. G. Baharian
SATAN is trying to lock all the doors that are now open to preach the message in this field. First I was prevented from traveling. When we planned for Brother Krum to come to this field and visit the churches, Satan came forward to shut this door also. Lately Brother Krum called at Constantinople on his way to visit our churches and companies in the provinces of Broussa and Nicomedia. As he did not know the Armenian and Turkish languages, Sister Aznive accompanied him as interpreter. In about two months they accomplished their work, and returned to Constantinople, being prevented only from visiting Shagshag. The ruler of Yalova received them, arrested from the province of Broussa; therefore he did not permit them to go anywhere except to Ismid. After their arrival, Brother Krum soon left for Jerusalem. It so seems that the ruler of Yalova has notified the case to Ismid, and from Ismid it has been written here to the minister of the police. May 1 Sister Aznive was called to the police court. She was investigated about Brother Krum and their journey. As Brother Krum was not here, she was threatened with imprisonment and exile. She was asked to give a bail bond not to speak anything about Sabbath keeping, and not to go out of Constantinople. After leaving the whole matter in the Lord's hands, she refused both. She was dealt with harshly, but God did not let any bad thing fall upon her. She was released, thank the Lord. Satan's intent to lock the door was defeated. Brother Krum had visited Seuleuz near Broussa, where we have eight members. The people were interested, and had flocked to hear the message. When the Armenian bishop heard about it, his jealousy was aroused, and he called at this village, and threatened our brethren. Seeing that his threats were of no avail, he appealed to the government in Broussa, writing a petition full of false accusations. Vali—the chief governor—sent for them. The ruler of the village has urged our brethren to deny the Sabbath and unite with the Armenian church, but without success. At last all of them—six in number—have been sent to Vali of Broussa. Vali has investigated them, found them faultless, and released them. The Armenians, seeing that our brethren were freed, devised another thing to do mischief. We had in Seuleuz a tailor brother from Bardizag. Armenians have complained of him to the government, asking that he be sent away from the village to his home. In this they were successful. He was arrested, imprisoned, and sent away. In this event truth was again preached to the authorities. Satan is at work, but God also is working. The Lord is preparing our people for the coming time of trouble. Z. G. Baharian. Constantinople, May 25, 1902