Among Moslems in Persia

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

Among Moslems in Persia

ONE of our missionaries in Persia gives us a little insight into the present-day situation among Moslems there, in the following:—

"They have been kept bound by the shackles of darkness for so long that it is entirely beyond man's power to free them. Their religion in many respects resembles ours. They believe in God, the creator; in all the prophets, especially Daniel; they highly regard Jesus as a prophet; and believe in good and evil angels, in the resurrection, and in the judgment; they claim to believe the Old and New Testaments, though they believe that these have been falsified; they abhor swine's flesh, reject alcoholic drinks, and some of the more conscientious discard tobacco; but they absolutely deny the Sonship of Jesus, and while regarding him as sinless, hold Mohammed as far superior, though admitting that the latter has sinned.

"A change for the better has taken place. Half a decade ago, it would have been hazardous to venture to open a Testament and preach Christ in the open market. Last summer the gospel was preached evenings to crowds on the open highway. The Mussulmans will listen with great interest to the gospel stories. At a number of villages we showed our prophetic chart, explaining the prophecies of Daniel. They showed great interest for these things, and one invited me to his home. When asked whether there were any bad people in the village, they answered, 'O, no; we are all, every one of us, good people.'"