The Levant Union Mission
By L. R. Conradi
MARCH 18 I left Hamburg, to attend the general meeting in the Levant field. At Vienna I was met by Dr. V. Pampaian's wife and baby, coming from Gland, and we traveled together to Constantinople, reaching that city March 22. A number of our people met us, and I found quarters at our mission home in Galata, with Brother C. Voigt. Brother Guy Dail had come up from his trip in Egypt and Syria. Brother Z. G. Baharian was there from Armenia. Brother and Sister R. S. Greaves, Brother Fr. Scior, and Sister Loxandra Keanides came somewhat later from the Greek field. Elder A. M. Buzugherian and Brother E. Ayvazian came from the interior, and one brother arrived later who had come all the way from Tarsus. We noticed some changes for the better in the city of Constantinople. Quite a number of good new buildings were going up, and some of the narrow streets were being widened. Although there was considerable talk about war, the inhabitants of Constantinople did not seem to be much alarmed. The city feels quite secure, being so well protected by both the Dardanelles and the Bosporus. But the many soldiers and officers, who were to be seen everywhere, and the recruits coming in from the interior, gave evidence that Turkey is doing her utmost to prepare to meet any foe that may attempt to attack her. I was much pleased to have the opportunity at this time of looking over our depository and school quarters. The location in the city is very advantageous. The only trouble is that we occupy the first and fourth stories, which makes necessary the climbing of many stairs. We were pleased to become acquainted with the students of the school, who are mostly young men. From Friday night till Sunday night we had public meetings in Galata and Stambul, and also held a number of committee meetings. On Monday about forty of us left on a steamer for Bardizag, in Asia Minor. Our committee managed to get a free corner on the steamer, and there continued its meetings. In the afternoon we reached our destination safely. That evening our meeting-room was crowded to overflowing, as it was at every meeting until March 28, when I left. There was quite a good attendance from our surrounding churches. All our students and workers were present. Much of the time was spent in prayer and social meetings and Bible studies, and the rest was devoted to business and committee meetings. It was a busy time indeed. Considerable attention was given to the discussion of school-matters, and it was finally decided to hold our school in the future in the summer and not in the winter, thus leaving the ministers free in the most favorable season for field work. Accordingly, it was decided to postpone the opening of the next term until the spring of 1913. The publishing work is also doing well. I visited the Bible House with Brother Voigt, where our printer has his office. The owner seems to be quite experienced in the printing business, and is in close touch with the leading printing centers of Europe. One peculiarity noticeable in the East is that no women are employed to do factory work. The printer told us that the Turkish women prefer to stay at home and do fine needlework at a third of the wage they would earn in a factory, because at home they are not so much molested. Another thing is evident that although they receive a small wage, so many hours are idled away over lunch, etc., that they accomplish but little work, and therefore are well paid. Translating and proof-reading seem to be rather expensive. Although the Orient is noted for the fact that most of the natives speak a number of languages, when it comes to a perfect knowledge of the language and careful work, very few can be found who are capable of doing the work properly. Such workers are at a premium. We are grateful indeed that during the past year the book sales in the Levant Union amounted to one thousand dollars. When we remember that only a little while ago permission for printing was scarcely obtainable, and that we could not obtain permission for canvassing, we must indeed thank the Lord for the progress that has been made. As nearly all the people are ignorant, many not being able to read or write, our canvassers have quite limited sales, and yet some have traversed good-sized sections of territory, reaching far into the interior. As to the field work, twenty-nine members were received in the Levant portion and nine in the Arabic portion of the field during 1911. In order to enable the superintendent to do more field work, and to simplify matters of language, we separated the Arabic portion from the Levant Union at this meeting, and placed it directly under the European Division. On the other hand, because the Turkish Central Mission was quite large, it was decided to cut off the Cilician Mission, and Elder Buzugherian was given charge of it. The new mission will consist of the vilayets, or provinces, of Iconia, Aleppo, and Adana. We were very happy indeed that both Elder Buzugherian and Elder Baharian could bring such good reports concerning the growing interest in their mission fields; and they received letters during the meeting which showed that a number of persons were really accepting the truth. Brother Ayvazian, who has been a successful Bible worker and preacher for the last eight years, was ordained to the ministry. The Levant Union has, as it now stands, five ordained ministers, five licentiates, five Bible workers and nurses, and nine canvassers. We were pleased to notice that there had been considerable increase in the tithe. It amounted to $1,300 in the Levant portion, and $765 in the Syro-Egyptian portion, in 1911. Brother A. J. Girou, one of our French workers who has joined that field and married one of our Bible workers there, will prepare for work in the Turkish language. Brother Voigt is making good progress in the language. The new union committee will be composed of Brethren Frauchiger, Baharian, Voigt, Buzugherian, Greaves, and Pampaian. As the audits for 1911 showed that the12deficits had increased to $7,000, in view of the augmented staff of workers, we estimated that $8,000 would be needed for this year. We hope that quite a number of new native workers can be secured. On the other hand, we are sorry that not less than seven of our young people have left this field for America, thus robbing us of nearly one fifth of our year's growth in the Levant field. The prospects are indeed brightening for the Levant, and may the Lord richly bless this field during 1912.