p. 109 | Untitled article

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 19, 1892

FROM CONSTANTINOPLE.

THE following interesting letter was written by Brother Baharian, October 5, to Elder H. P. Holser. The Brother Anthony mentioned in the letter received the truths we advocate while living in San Jose, California, some years ago. Being a Greek, and having a Greek education, he readily saw the force of our positions in the Greek Scriptures, and soon became burdened to carry the light to his native country.

Last Sabbath Brother Anthony and I were called by the police to appear before the court to answer for the tracts and circulars that we had distributed. Enemies had stirred up the police against us. We went to the court, but the time was up before we were called. Then we were sent to jail. This event filled the hearts of our brethren with exceeding sorrow. They were ready to do everything to gain our freedom; but I preferred to leave all to the Lord, to see how he would show his power before our enemies. So we did not try to bribe the officers, or refer to persons of high rank, but to the Lord.

This was my first time in jail. We passed the night in a dark room, damp and cold, and our companions were a murderer, thieves, etc. But our hearts were glad, thinking that we had the same privilege that the apostles had. In the morning when the doors were opened, we were permitted to go out in the yard.

Among the prisoners were Greeks, Armenians, and Turks from all parts of Turkey. I found that many were honest men, in prison on account of their politics. This was a good opportunity for us to give them the last message. I began to tell them about our truths; some were interested, especially one that is to be exiled to Tripoli, Northern Africa. Would that I could see him longer.

I read in the Bible that the field is the world. I think the jails are not excepted. Why not go there to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and illumine the dark corners with the light of the Lord? We passed four days in jail, but were very much interested. I would rather stay here a few days longer, and help the poor and miserable men. Our brethren visited us every day, but returned in sorrow, thinking that we would have to remain a long time in prison. Indeed, this was a hard thing for them, but good to strengthen their faith and bind them closer to us with the ties of love.

Monday afternoon we were again called to the court; but again the time was up before we were called before the judge. Then they put us into a closed wagon, dark as a prison, prepared to carry only criminals. This was an open sign that the government considered us as dangerous persons, and that we would have to remain a long time in jail. Tuesday we were called before the judge. God was with us. We answered with courage about our work. The judge saw that we had obtained permission from the government for our tracts, and there was nothing in the circulars touching the government, and that we were accused falsely. He well knew that we did not try to disturb the people, but to call them unto salvation, and that the second coming of Christ was not preached from a national standpoint, but as a truth of the Bible. God caused to vanish all the clouds of suspicion, and we were free.

Oh, the joy of our brethren for such unexpected freedom! We are free now. No man can take the glory of it, but the Lord. After this we hope that God will carry on his cause with more success. Last Sunday, while we were in prison, about forty persons called at our house. We hope that God will lead them here again.