Mohammed, the last prophet

Preface

In March, 1890, although young in Christian experience, I began my work to deliver God’s message to the Mohammedans of Persia.

The field is great. The workers are few. It is my earnest prayer that all Christian brethren may unite together in prayer to bring the lost ones into the flock of Jesus. Mohammedanism is a great foe against Christian work. The foundation of our rock is love ; and by this love we must bring the lost ones to the knowledge of the Gospel.

A. D. SHABAZ.

Chicago, March, 1900.

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Contents

I. Short Sketch of Life.

II. Ancient Media and Persia.

III. Mohammed and Koran.

Chapter I. Short Sketcpi Of Life

I am a Syrian by birth, native of Persia, from the district of Aderbajan, city of Oroomiah. I was born July 15th, 1874. I spent my early life at home, under the care of my parents and two Christian grandmothers. I had my education in the colleges of the Presbyterians and Episcopalians.

In the eighteenth year of my age I received Christ as my Saviour. Thereafter I fought against my will to do what would please God and man. Often the words of Solomon rang in my ears :

‘'Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,’’ but it was hard for me to depart from evil friendship. On the other hand, I was anxious to make a man of myself and to lead a better life. After great struggle and labor, I put my trust in God in prayer, asking him to give me a pure heart, and help me to lead a new life, and help me to be a true man, for the sake of my Saviour Jesus Christ. I desired to enlarge the multitude of his servants, and bring souls into His kingdom of glory.

I took this new Master for the rest of my life. He called me not only servant, but friend, brother, part-

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ner — to share with all He had, and dwell with Him in the beautiful mansions of our Father. He called me brother, and gave His own life to save me from cruel hands of enemies. I shed tears for my brother who was killed for you and me ; but he kissed me, and said, ‘'I died for you ; give me thy heart, and do my will ; will you do it, my friend I promised to do His will ; then He asked me to take care of His sheep and lambs.

Before I started on my mission, I struggled hard until I found peace and was willing to be a witness for His name. I told my parents and friends that I was going to leave and do my Brother’s will. They did not understand me; nor would they listen to me. I told them I would serve my new Master, and do what He wanted me to do. Then I gave my time to study of the Koran and other religious books of the Persians. I knew fairly well the country and the ways of the natives. I could speak their language pretty well. It was my earnest desire to work for the Mohammedans, and bring them into the light of the Gospel. I was sure many would leave their idle hopes and obey Christ if they only had the privilege of hearing the Word of Life. I also knew that many were anxious to receive Christ as their Saviour, and I believed many souls could be saved if only they could hear the voice of the Almighty. I was certain too that a great many would stand against my work, and that I would meet hard times, storms, hunger, wild animals, wicked people, and many troubles ; but I said that only the end of my life would keep me from going. I heard many speak against me. Numbers of them tried to win my heart, but in vain. There were few to sympathize with me on my dangerous undertaking. There were none to comfort me, but the words of the Father,

“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,’' gave me sufficient strength and power.

I tried my best to comfort my parents and friends in the last few days of my stay at home. At last the hour came when I must say good-by. We felt that we might never meet again. They mourned for their only son. The tears were rolling down their cheeks. My silver-haired grandmother was kneeling on the ground, with her arms toward heaven, crying for help. I closed my eyes, so as not to see beloved friends, but my heart shook with sadness ; a garment of sorrow covered my soul. Yet the words of my Father rang again in my ears, and I set myself out for the work which I had undertaken.

Reaching the caravan, I found all the travelers were Mohammedans except myself. There were about fifty in number. Some had horses, camels and mules. There was music, singing and shouting. A mile ahead could be heard the noise of the great bells ringing, which were hanging on the necks of our animals. In the evening every man smoked his opium, and acted according to their custom. I sat still, deep in thought, trying to decide what it was my duty to do for such people. I knew it was dangerous for me to speak of the Christian religion. A few days passed by in this way. One evening I knelt down with a broken heart and prayed to God to give me strength and guidance to win these poor souls for Christ. On the following day, with a trembling heart, I spoke to one of the men. He did not get angry, although he was not interested in my conversation. Again and again I prayed for Divine help :

'‘Lord, Thou knowest these people do not follow Thee. Thou knowest they have never heard the sweet name of Jesus. Also Thoiuknowest it is my earnest desire to bring them into the knowledge of thy truth. Father, give me Thy power that I may not fear him who killeth the body/’

After a time I spoke to several of the party. Nearly all knew now what it was in my heart to do. Many times they came and asked me questions on the Christian religion. I spoke to them the truth as I had learned it from the Scriptures. Sometimes they did not like my speech, and with knives in their hands they rushed toward me to take my life. I spoke fearlessly and gently, and tried to win their rough hearts, until some one from their number would tell them that I was not deserving of such punishment. Then one by one they would walk aside, and I was rescued from what seemed certain death. I told them I was not afraid of death, because I knew I would be saved, but that they would have to answer if they shed my innocent blood. Although some of them seemed to be friendly, yet I knew my life was not safe in their hands. I cast the seed of righteousness in their hearts, but my talks seemed to harden my companions against me. Whenever we passed a rocky place, they wanted to throw me down ; often as we crossed rivers they tried to throw me in the water, but somehow I escaped safely from their hands.

The people in the interior were innocent, but cruel. They had never had any kind of education. Very few knew anything about God. They lived among the rocky mountains of Persia. Their houses were under ground — men, women and cattle living in the same dug-out. They ate and slept under the same roof. There was no comfort or peace, but everywhere was sin and misery. Human beings seemed like wild beasts.

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They were ready to kill for very little. We spent nights in their homes — sheep, horses, oxen and men all sleeping in one circle. I visited families and groups of people, and had a good opportunity to do my work. There was not so much danger for me, as people knew nothing much of religion. My talk seemed strange to them at first, but they soon understood me, and I taught them the right way. Many were pleased to hear me speak the name of God. Some listened to me and obeyed God. A good many promised not to steal or kill, but to be true and honest. They felt sorry when I left, and asked me to pray for them, that God would forgive them. I felt happy and satisfied because I had tried to sow good seed; and I departed with rejoicing in my soul, and more spirit and hope to continue my work further on.

As we drew near large towns, my companions seemed gentle and sociable, but when we were out in the country they were rough and acted cruelly toward me. At Salmas, Tabses, Zangan and Kasben, principal cities of the district, I met a few missionaries doing the same work as myself. Progress must be slow, for it is more difficult to meet with success in large towns. In these cities there is a good opportunity to work for the Syrians and Armenians. The leaders of the Mohammedans are strongly opposed to Christian work, and will not allow any one to preach the Gospel in public, nor even in private, if it becomes known to them. Through all the district I met very few who confessed Christ as their Saviour.

At length we came to Teheran, the capital of Persia, where I departed from my companions, and secured a place to do my work in that great city. I remained there nearly two years, and had good success

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in my work. I found very many of the Armenians, as well as the Mohammedans, who were friendly. Quite a number of young men were led to believe in God. The Mohammedans often attempted to break up our meetings, yet we lived happy lives together. In our prayer meetings we felt a spirit of happiness in our souls, even though we were in danger of troubles.

In that city I met Fakr Leslani (the crown of Mohammedanism), v/hom they call second Mohammed, and who is the greatest foe to Christianity that has come in these last centuries. I saw the book which he has written against the Bible, and found it difficult to answer his objections to Christianity. He is endeavoring to stop all Bible work for his nation. I was interested in him because he was of my relatives. He, however, accepted Mohammedanism when he was a child, and has since worked faithfully for the advancement of that religion. We often talked together, and I told him openly that he was in danger of the everlasting fire. Once he asked me if Christ would forgive him if he turned in his last days. I said it might be too late — why not now? You know you are doing wrong; but it was hard for him to accept the Way of Life. I am hoping yet that God may break his will and bring him under the Cross of Jesus. He is strong in his work against Christianity, and I am sure if he becomes changed he will be strong for Christ. Through his influence I was made acquainted with many priests and royal members. Wherever I visited I tried to win their hearts. I told them it was my duty to speak the truth, and I knew I was doing right, and asked them why they were not doing right. This they did not like, but they showed little uneasi-

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ness. If they believed, they were afraid to deny their untrue prophet.

One day several of the priests and myself were in the same carriage going out of the city. At the end of the journey the priest nearest to me was angry and unpleasant. I asked him what was the matter, and he told me it was because my clothes touched his ; that his prayers would not be answered because I was a Christian and made him unclean. I tried my best to turn their views, and they tried just as hard to get me to change mine and to believe in Mohammed. I told them I could not trust in my enemy. Thereafter I gave up the priest business, because it was too hard on me, and I could not make their dull hearts turn to the Christian life.

On this same day the Shah of Persia was shot on his way to Shah Abdelazem (great in Kings). The murderer was found and punished according to the Persian law, by having his hands put in iron cages, and his body cut so badly that he died in a few days, after most horrible suffering. While in the city I visited many national places. The natives thought I was one of them, and this gave me opportunity to know about national worship and native life, which I have described fully farther in the book. I learned all about the law and government, and social and home life. I also gave attention to their schools and educational institutions, and this helped me in my work.

I left Teheran June 23, 1894, for the district of Koasestan. It was so exceedingly hot that we rested in the open hills, beside the springs of water, which give pleasure to the stranger, drink to the cattle and birds and life to the natives , but above all, which taught me to remember the Creator of all nature.

Amid these beautiful surroundings my troubles began to continue. In the daytime was weariness and cruel companions ; at night time, I was filled with fears, and struggled for peace and safety ; but I gave my life in the hands of Jesus, and was willing to die if it was His will, or to live that He might use me for His work. Therefore I kept on just as before. Wherever I met natives I spoke to them cheerful words of the Gospel. If I met an educated man, I gave him a copy of the New Testament. During six months I did my work happily and carefully in each town or village that we passed.

The journey gave me experience and knowledge and opportunity to learn more of the country and people. After visiting many places that I desired to see, I returned again to visit Adarbajan. The ground was now covered with snow. Instead of grass and flowers there was only to be seen leafless and bare 4:rees. All the pleasures and sights of summer days had passed by — sunshine, songsters, beautiful fruits and herbs — instead of a sunny day, there were now the winds and cold of winter. The frosty stillness of the winter day gave us fear as we drew near the cold rocks and snowy mountains. Far as we could see in the distance there were pleasant days, and groups of natives and pleasant caravans of passengers were seen passing. But we were high in the snow mountains. Our party was composed of six men who had their horses to help us through the snow. Two men and myself stopped at a small hotel near by for refreshments ; others took care of our animals, and moved on slowly. After about an hour we marched to catch our caravan, which was behind a hill and out of sight, although we could hear the bells ringing. Alas, in a few minutes a snow storm

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swept over the road. We kept as close together as we could in order to keep in the right direction, but could not do so. We tried as best we could to find our way, crying for help, but there were none to hear us. We made up our minds to keep together. Wet and cold and tired, we walked as fast as we could over the hills and through valleys. We were not only suffering from the cold, but it was so dark and misty that we were unable to see but a few yards ahead of us.

We struggled for many hours, till at last there was no strength left in our feet, and I could not go further. I told my companions to keep on going till they found a village or inn, then send after me ; otherwise, I would die there, and they somewhere else. I tried my best to keep myself warm in the snow, but it did not seem possible to take any comfort. After I had suffered thus for five or six hours, I began to feel chill and dry, and almost lost hope of life ; even my lips were frozen, and I was unable to speak a word. In my heart, however, I continued to pray:

''God be merciful to me a sinner. Save my life to labor in thy field ; not because I wish to live for myself, but that I may bring those poor souls into thy kingdom. Father, thy will be done, not mine.’’

Again and again I comforted my heart in saying my prayer. At last I heard footsteps and men talking ; but I had no strength to cry for help. They, however, came near enough to see me in my living grave, and pulled me up and tied me on a horse and carried me to their home. I was not able to speak, eat nor walk for several days. They frequently offered me opium to smoke, but I refused, as I had not smoked for two years before that time ; and my life and soul had not been saved to be its slave. They told me it was the

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best cure for a cold, and that if I did not smoke I would die, but I told them I knew what it was, as I had experience with it before ; and even if I did die, I would not use it again. As they did not believe in doctors, there was none to attend me. But God helped me, and in a few weeks I could eat and talk and go ’round just as good as any of them. I remained with these people until I felt real strong again.

I have never heard from our missing friends and their animals, and do not know whether they are dead or alive. We could get no horses in the village, but had to walk all the way to a larger town to look for friends. The next day we walked from morning till night, and I nearly lost all my strength ; my feet were especially tender and sore. On the following day we sent one of our companions to bring horses while we remained, but he never came back, although we waited for him for several days. From that time till to-day I have never trusted Mohammedans. They will say one thing while with you, and soon after will do what they please. Two of us were left alone among strangers. They did not know that I was a Christian, and never asked me who I was, or what my business was ; otherwise, had they known me, they would have left me outside the house in the cold and snow, or would have killed me because I ate and drank from their dishes. Because of the deceit of our companion we had to walk to the nearest town for horses. We walked from early morning till evening, and it did not seem as if we were near any village. Because of hunger and cold we quickened our speed in order to find a place to stay over night. We ran, but saw only ourselves passing narrow turnings of rocks and deep snow. My friend became so weary that he sat down and would

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not let me go any further. He could not speak at all, but I could see tears rolling from his eyes. I knew he was crying because he did not want to be left alone to be food for wild animals. His hands fell lifeless beside his body, and he stretched himself on the frosty snow, and with a heavy sigh he went into eternity. I gave another sad look at the man who had died in front of my eyes, and it gave me deep regret that his soul had gone and he had not known the salvation of God, and his soul was to live in the lake of fire with satan and his angels.

I left the lifeless body in order to save my life, if possible. It did not seem to me that there was any feeling in my feet; even on my eyelashes there were chunks of ice. I ran up and down the hills till I could feel the blood moving in my body. As I was turning a narrow corner I saw two wolves, one on each side of the road. A sudden fear shook my heart; a mist of darkness covered my sight ; my hair almost stood straight from fear ; I shouted and screamed, but they looked at me eagerly. There seemed no hope for me in such a winter night. I opened my heart to Divine Assistance to save my body from the wild beasts. They stood still and looked at me, as much as to say, ''There is no need for you to cry. We will do what we please.’’ Suddenly one jumped to the other side. I at once crossed the road and ran to the hill. They accompanied me, throwing snow in my face. Sometimes they were in front of me ; then they would fall behind, only to run for me again. I almost lost my life ; but the Lord who saved Daniel from the lions saved me from the wolves. Through His mercy they did not touch me, although they came so near that they almost jumped on me. They seemed to be whet-

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ting their appetites. After some time in this perilous condition, I ran until I saw a light from a window a few yards ahead of me ; but it seemed so far in the dark night of fear. When I reached the house a man opened the door, and I entered filled with joy and fear, and fell in a dead faint and was unconscious until the next morning. When I recovered consciousness, they asked me about my friend, for they said I had talked about him all night. A little later in the day another traveler brought my friend, dead. They buried him according to their law. Following this, I had days of pain. My heavy traveling boots had steamed and half cooked my feet. My face and hands were pealing. After three days, they took me to the village inn — their home for rest. Now I had another three days' journey to the large town, and they sent a man to take care of me, and a horse upon which I could ride. My flesh was too tender to stand the cold and wind, which was made the greater by riding, so I had to walk all the way. The sun shone so brightly on the snow that my eyes became weaker and weaker, hour after hour, till I could see but darkness. I suft'ered with pain and blindness for a few days. I knew my friends only by their voices. Now I had good opportunity for doctors, and was glad to stay with my Syrian friends in order that I might receive a doctor's treatment. When I recovered, I departed for my own home. My parents hardly knew me because of the hardships which I had endured during the past three years. The love of dear ones and the comforts of home gave me natural health and strength within a short time, and I almost forgot the troubles through which I had passed.

Then my friends came to me, saying that if I had

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obeyed them, I would not have seen all the troubles that I had endured during the past three years. ^They had heard that I was dead long ago. I told them I would do the same thing again ; that to obey God was better than to please man, and that I had heard God’s call, and wherever I was — at home, among savages, or abroad — I would do what my Master wanted me to do through all my life. I could not serve the world and God, but must be on one side. I had tested the world’s life, and found it did not suit very well. God’s path of righteousness is to carry my cross on my back ; hardships and troubles may come at any time, but I will walk in the narrow way, although I may have steep hills to pass. I will also remember that no flesh and blood can enter the Kingdom of Heaven ; and if any one loves the heavenly kingdom more than this earth, he must deny all, and confess Christ to his fellowmen. I told them I would follow the right way, and invited them all to accompany me. If they would not do so, I said I would close my ears and would not hear their call to me to return unto the world. I knew I was doing right. My message to the world was to obey God and follow in His footsteps. I remained in the world to do good ; otherwise I was a fruitless tree, and ought to be cut down and not waste good ground, but allow a useful tree to be planted in my stead. Whenever I hear that my fellowmen are in need or trouble, I must show my Christian love to them ; if I do not, my love is dead, and my heart is dull, my ears are heavy, and my whole system is good for nothing — above all, my soul is lost.

The sad news which now had come from Armenia and Turkey gave me a sad heart. I heard of 60,000 Armenians killed by Turks — men, women and chil-

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dren — some of them looking while their loved ones were shot and slain in front of their eyes ; brave-hearted men had shed their last drop of blood to save their aged parents ; wives and little ones had been separated by the cruel sword of ungodly Mohammedans, and there was none to hear the pitiful cries of the friendless creatures who were dying, while the women and girls were saved to be slaves to sin and wickedness. Some were pulled out from houses of worship and killed in the streets ; some who had left their homes and families to save their own lives were brought out and met the same death. Armed soldiers marched through the streets with guns and swords in their hands to stab and shoot any that tried to escape with their lives. Houses were set on fire, and death and destruction were on every side. No one could write of the woe of broken-hearted families ; the cruelty and shame were more than one could write on paper; sight of it only could tell all the mournful feelings of the dying people. We can know something of their troubles from those who are refuged in our own country — orphans, homeless and strangers, almost unable to keep body and soul together. Only a mother who has dear ones in a strange country can have full sympathy for these strangers.

When the Persians heard that there was no punishment for the Turks, they tried to do the same things, and to kill some of the people at Aderbajan. Awful actions came before our notice. The Persians grew in power and cruelty more and more. One day a band of armed men in the city of Oroomiah drew near a Syrian merchant, with open knives in their hands, pulled the young man from his house, tied a rope around his feet, and drew him from street to street.

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his head banging from stone to stone on the hard pavement, while he was bleeding and crying; still the rough-hearted men kept pulling the rope, till the poor man was killed in the street. The dead body was thrown outside the city, where it lay for several days in the dirt and water, because no one dared to take charge of it. At last the broken-hearted wife and mother buried the body of him whom they loved so well. Akajan Kan was slain because he witnessed the love of Jesus to his fellowmen. He was a brave soldier for his Master, and during the last hour of his life he lifted his eyes toward heaven for a welcome to come and rest with Jesus forever more, where there would be no tears and sorrows through all eternity; but he would receive a golden crown which would be sparkling with glory, and would wear the white robes of the angels, and sing the sweet songs of the inhabitants of the golden streets of the new Jerusalem.

Dear reader, why not you be a witness for Jesus? Remember Solomon’s words, saying, ^Xife is like the span, alive to-day, but might be dead to-morrow.” Then you and I must hear the voice of the Almighty in the day of judgment. Alas, if we are light in the scales of righteousness, then shall we cry for the mountains to fall on us, and the earth to open her mouth to swallow us up, that we may not see the face of Him who sits upon the throne of glory, to judge every man according to his acts in the world. There will not be any hope then, but we shall have to be thrown into the lake of fire and be punished for our wickedness, and dwell with satan and his black angels. Why not leave our wicked ways and deny ourselves while on earth? We need also to remember that we are strangers on the earth, and that heaven should