The Armenian Mission Field by Z. G. Baharian

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

The Armenian Mission Field

By Z. G. Baharian

Z. G. BAHARIAN

THE two small cities of Haini and Lidjeh are in the province of Diarbekir. Last year on my way from Mush to Diarbekir, I had stopped two days in a village near Lidjeh. Some one led me to Lidjeh, saying that I could see there several Protestants. I met these people, and two days later spoke to them about our message, and left a few tracts to be studied. After my departure they studied them, and some have been convinced of the truth. While we were holding our general meeting in Bardizag, I received a letter from them, asking me to come to them soon. As I could not go then, I wrote to our laborer in Malatia, Brother B. Touzjian, to visit them. He responded, and went to see them. At first he stopped at Haini, where he found two Protestant churches. After proclaiming the message to them, he passed over to Lidjeh. He worked for these persons in Lidjeh, and two began keeping the Sabbath. He writes as follows:—

"Brother Thomas (the local elder of one of the churches here, who is also a builder) kept the last Sabbath together with Brother Donabed and myself, and at once Satan tried to raise a persecution in an unexpected way. Brother Thomas's son and his brother's sons, also several others from Haini, hearing that he kept the Sabbath, called at our room and found him studying the Bible. They at once went out and stirred his coworkers against him, saying, 'As he will do so, and work on Sunday, how can you labor together? It is better you stop working now and go to Haini, that he may be left in a straitened condition.' These coworkers being young and without experience, listened to this counsel, and left. They also found Thomas, and tried to persuade him to come back, setting before him the loss of his honor, and entreating him to delay his obedience at least two months more. But he gave them his clear-cut answer, and rebuked them because they tried to separate him from God's Word.

"Thomas was indeed left in a difficult situation, because he had bargained to build a house, receiving money in advance, and just at the beginning his coworkers drew back to put him to shame. Upon this sorrow was added a letter from Haini stating the sad condition of his wife and his children and his relatives, and inviting him to Haini for a few days. This letter troubled him more, but he answered not. A few days passed, and lo, his coworkers returned and began to work again. So these were days of sorrow and trouble, but of good occasion for prayer."

One Sunday Brother Touzjian was out in the street, and heard a crowd talking about the Sabbath. Going near to them, he saluted them, but they would not listen. He spoke to them kindly to quiet their anger, but seeing no benefit would come, he went away and found another gathering, but was given no opportunity to speak. On his return he met the former crowd, which now showed willingness to hear him. While he was talking, there came in two men who began to make disturbance, and to urge a policeman to stop Brother Touzjian's talking, but he refused, saying: "There is liberty now. Everybody is free to speak or to hear. If you do not wish to hear, you may go away." As Brother Touzjian was leaving the place later, the children began to cry out after him, "Gholo!" "Gholo!" that is, Satan! Satan!

Brother Touzjian returned to Haini and spent eight days talking with nearly all the people. On Sunday morning he preached in the Congregational church about the second advent of Christ. He was invited to preach that afternoon also, but some opposed, so he was prevented. He left Haini, as it was a busy time for the people. We expect a good harvest next winter.

So the message is arresting the attention of the people, and souls are being gained for the kingdom of God. Glory to his name!

Kara Hissar, Sharki, Asia Minor.