That Turkish Nuisance by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 23.

That Turkish Nuisance.

By Editor

WE have no disposition to interfere with the regular course of the fulfillment of prophecy, but we should really like to see an earthquake, a political revolution, or some other equally potent factor that would sweep away the power of the “unspeakable Turk,” at least as it is now exerted over the countries of Palestine, ancient Phenicia, Mesopotamia, Chaldea, and Assyria. There on monuments, slabs, bricks, cylinders, and seals, a few exposed, but mostly buried in ruins, are the records of the Hittites, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Babylonians, and other peoples named in the Bible—priceless treasures to the world—and there it seems they must remain. The Sublime Porte apparently considers it his special mission in the world to guard these records, and prevent them from ever being brought to the knowledge of man. By State intercession, he can be persuaded to graciously condescend to grant a safe-conduct to scholars to travel through the country and look at the ruins; but not a pick can be struck into the ground, not an inch of gravel can be disturbed, to bring to light any of these hidden records.

Dr. William Hayes Ward, in his late report of the Wolfe expedition to those countries, says that great difficulty was experienced in obtaining the necessary permit to travel through these lands; and the difficulty was increased by the interpreter attached to the Porte translating the word “exploration” by a term that implied “excavation” as well, and “that being a thing strictly forbidden, the firman was once and again forbidden.” But by “long and patient explanation,” they had finally made it clear that no excavation was intended, and at last letters were given him directing the governors to give the party “all necessary help,” but “expressly stating that no excavations were to be allowed.” Anything at all that will abate this unconscionable nuisance is an event to be most gladly welcomed.