Your ShelfYour Projects

Urumiah, Persia

14%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 35.

Read the full edition

Urumiah, Persia

By H. Dirksen

ON the ninth of June it had been just one year since Brother F. F. Oster and the writer arrived in Urumiah. A large part of this time has been spent in acquiring the native language. Because this language is spoken only in the Caucasus, Russia, and in Azerbaijan, the most northern province of Persia, it is called the Caucasian, or Azerbaijan Turkish. It has a resemblance both to the Osmanli Turkish and to the Persian language; all three are continually enriched by words from the difficult and, for the Moslem, holy Arabic.
With little trouble the reader can find the province of Azerbaijan, Persia, on any good map of Persia. Between the not very distant Turkish boundary in the west and Lake Urumiah in the east, lie the city and the plain of Urumiah. In this place the Mohammedans use, as indicated above, the Azerbaijan Turkish for speaking purposes, but the Persian for writing. The Christian race of Chaldeans, or Nestorians, have their own language, the Chaldean, or modern Syriac as it is also called, inasmuch as it differs much from the Chaldean which Daniel used.
We are thankful to the Lord for the privileges he has given us here as reapers in the white harvest-fields. We have been enabled to hold a goodly number of Bible readings with the people in the Azerbaijan Turkish language.
We received special encouragement through the visit of Brethren L. R. Conradi and Guy Dail, June 18-21. Profitable hours were spent in counseling together and in visiting. In a conversation between Brother Conradi and some who are unfavorable to our laboring here, it was interesting to note how impressed they were as they listened to the narration of the progress of the message amid great difficulties, and of the spirit of sacrifice shown by a small people who have faith in Christ. Almost speechless, they left our room. One could not help thinking of the words concerning Jehoshaphat's reign and time: "And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands."
During the visit of these brethren, it was decided among other things that Brother Oster complete the acquirement of the Azerbaijan Turkish, and continue the study of the Persian, which we had taken up in Baku; whereas I shall immediately begin the study of the Chaldean. This last was considered advisable because from all indications it is probable that a constituency, as a basis for the work in Persia, will sooner be formed among the Chaldeans than among the Moslems.
We look forward with renewed courage to the future, and believe decidedly that God will, after the sowing time, grant the harvest. Pray for us. H. DIRKSEN.