Land of the lion and the sun; personal experiences, the nations of Persia--their manners, customs, and their belief . . .

Front matter

Class _TDSL^M.

Book_ lS i^__

Copyright }1^

Chapter I. Personal History

I was born in the district of Aderbajan, northwestern part of Persia, on the fifteenth day of July, 1874, in the little village Geogtapha, four miles from Oroomiah City. Both city and village are famous in tht ancient and modern history of Persia as the home of distinguished and learned scholars; and to-day men are found there who are well fitted for the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord.

The village Geogtapha derives its name from "Geogtapha, " the blue hill, one of the hills remaining from the time of the fire-worshipers. It contains about 300 families, mainly Nestorians and Assyrians. Here is found "Asleys Spring," which attracts visitors from many parts of the country, who leave in sadness and ofttimes with tears in their eyes. Here is found the image which the Babylonians worshiped, dated centuries before Christ; also relics of the Pharsess, or fire-worshipers, which are a proof of their worship of hand-made images. And here are found the tombs of men who were firm in confessing the Christian faith, and became martyrs to their trusting faith in the Saviour.

The territory of Oroomiah, enclosed by the mountains and the lake of the same name, and comprising an area of five hundred square miles, has no less than three hundred hamlets and villages. The city near the center of the plain is built on ground rising 400 feet above the lake. The lake, ninety miles in length by thirty in width, is 4,000 feet above the level of the sea, and its waters are so salt that fish cannot live in them. The plain has fruitful fields, gardens and vineyards, and is irrigated by considerable streams of pure water. The landscape is one of the loveliest in the East. Such is the place where my home is located.

At an early period of my life Mohammedanism had gained considerable power over the Christians and the Jews, but still Christ, the morning star, shone brightly over the little band of helpless Christians. Enemies had tried to exterminate all the followers of Christ, the light of the world, but the hand of the Almighty protected the lovers of His name, and did mercifully rest them on His everlasting promises even in the time of trouble.

As a rule, all the Christians who dwell in Persia, or all who are descendants of Christians, baptize their children at a very early age. My parents, therefore, had me baptized while an infant, in Mar-Zaya, one of the Nestorian churches, and the only church in the village of Geogtapha at the time. In later years they were interested in the educational work in the village, which was conducted by native Christian teachers. When I was five or six years of age they sent me to school. i\t first I was treated with kindness, but was soon beaten with a switch on my hands and feet till I bled profusely, and was unable to walk or use my fingers for a long period of time. Frequently I was forced to hold one of the little fellows on my back while he was being beaten by the teacher. It was a very common occurrence that the teacher would threaten the boy, if he dared cry or move while on my back, with double the punishment.

Newcomers were at first treated kindly, but later on punished unmercifully. Our teacher was wont to say: • 'The switch has come from Paradise for little children, therefore you must not complain." Naturally we complained to our parents, but they said: "The teacher knows better than you, and he will make strong men of you," so we dared not resist, but had to bear the punishment.

The following year we had a new teacher who did not apply the'switch, but used other modes of punishment. The punishments of winter were: To stand bare-footed in the snow for about fifteen or twenty minutes, or hold a piece of ice in the hand for the same length of time. The punishments of summer were: To stand on the right foot and hold up a weight of three or four pounds in the right hand for a certain length of time; or we were stood against the wall to be spat at by the boys, and were called "Jew, Jew." These were the punishments for being absent from school, or if we did not give satisfaction in our lessons, or disobeyed any of the following rules of the teacher:

1. Every boy must wash his hands and face every morning, and salute his parents before leaving the house.

2. Every boy must wash his feet and legs up to his knees at least once a week.

3. Every boy must leave his shoes in the hall and place them properly before entering the schoolroom.

4. No one must speak during the school hours, nor call others nick-names.

5. No one is allowed to drink water by the big pitcher.

6. No one must bake nuts or raisins on the stove, or touch it with the hand.

7. Every boy must salute old people, in the street or elsewhere, whether he knows them or not.

8. Every one obeying these rules, will receive a reward at the close of the school term.

In the village schools I learned to read and write; studied geography, arithmetic, Turkish, modern and ancient Syriac, committed to memory the Lord's Prayer, Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, and a few portions of the New and Old Testaments.

At the age of twelve, in the year 1886, I entered the preparatory school of the Presbyterians at Oroomiah City, and remained there' for three years. My reader will readily understand, in this school I took higher branches and had more religious instruction than in the country schools.

In the year 1889, I entered the Oroomiah College, the only higher educational institution in that district at the time. It was conducted by the Presbyterian mission board. Any young man seeking an education might attend this college. Many young men had come from different parts of the country to obtain an education, preparing themselves for some work of their choice. Here I had a splendid opportunity to learn the native languages, and to study the Scriptures, which was my heart's desire; I also took all other classes according to the rules of the institution. I attended here three successive springs, and taught school in the country during my winter vacations.

I must admit that I at first punished the boys in my school in the same manner in which I had been punished. I taught four different languages, namely: Syriac, Persian,- Turkish, and Chaldean, also arithmetic and geography. But the object of the school was not merely to teach the languages. My purpose was a higher and nobler one, to lead my pupils to Christ, the friend of little children. This end, I soon perceived, could not be accomplished by indiscriminate use of the switch, but rather through simple instruction in the Word of God, and in this work I needed to be prompted by the love of Jesus.

Instead of inventing modes of punishment, I regarded it my duty to instruct the boys from out the Bible, and taught them the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles' Creed. I now for the first time took the Bible and visited the parents of the boys, reading to them from the Gospel. I could not preach as yet, but only read. Sometimes I would read from six to ten chapters, and they wanted me to come again. They said: "We never tire of hearing the Word of God." Their encouraging words filled me with an earnest desire daily to read the Word of God to hungry souls. This experience gave me knowledge of the spiritual needs of the people round about me.

Satan assailed me at times, but the clear passages of Scripture guided me to the place of refuge, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord." I cried unto my Saviour, who always, and even now, for the sake of His suffering and death brought peace and comfort to my troubled heart, and the blessed hope of eternal salvation. I besought Him to have mercy upon me and protect me against sin and Satan, those powerful enemies of my soul. The Saviour graciously heard my prayers and kept me from falling a prey to the temptations of the evil one. After having thus experienced the saving grace of Jesus, how could I but prove my faith in Him and show my love toward Him.-* The love of Jesus urged me to testify of Him to such as knew Him not.

I now gave a more serious attention to the Koran and other religious books of the Mohammedans, in order to be able to point out the falsehoods and errors of their false prophet, and bring unto my people the blessed Gospel of Christ, which alone satisfies the needs of the human heart; also the manuscripts which I had purchased for the purpose of obtaining a better understanding of the Holy Scriptures, formed a part of my study.

I knew the language, the country and the natives, and it was my earnest desire to bring Mohammedans unto the light of the Gospel. I was certain many would leave their idle hopes and accept Christ if they only had the privilege of hearing the Word of Life. I did not doubt that many were anxious to receive Christ as their Saviour, and I believed many souls could be saved if they but had a preacher. I was certain, too, that a great many would prejudicate and persecute me; but I said, only death shall keep me from my mission.

In speaking so freely, I incurred the enmity of my own people, who were not pleased with this step; but by the grace of God and through the financial assistance of my father, I was enabled to enter the service. Many openly opposed me; many of them attempted to turn my heart, but in vain. There were few to sympathize with me in my dangerous undertaking, and no one to comfort me; only the words of my Heavenly Father, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, even unto the end," gave me sufficient strength and courage.

I tried my utmost to comfort my parents during the last few days of my stay at home. Finally the hour of parting came; I must take leave of them; we might never meet again! I do not wish to bring back to my memory their cries and calls, but can never forget my silvery-haired grandmother^ as she knelt on the ground, with her arms toward heaven, beseeching me that I must not leave her. I closed my eyes so as not to see my beloved friends in the hour of lamentation, and departed for the journey, thinking of the words which Christ spoke, "Whosoever doeth

^ When one leaves his home for a distant journey, according to the custom of the country Ms near relatives cast dust upon their heads, cry and mourn for him several days.

the will of my Father, he is my mother, brother and sister."

I would have stayed and labored among my people at home, but the district of Oroomiah is mostly inhabited by the Nestorians, and as there were many Presbyterian, Catholic, and Episcopal missionaries seeking to counteract the influence of each other, and as I did not wish to unite with them, nor to mingle with the people among whom they had settled, I left this place to proclaim the Gospel unto such as had not heard of sects, and were ignorant as well of divine revelation. At first I had been in sympathy with whatever the above mentioned representatives of Christian sects taught, but as soon as I obtained a fuller knowledge of the Scriptures by reading a few ancient Syriac manuscripts^ which correctly interpret the Bible, I became convinced that these missionaries did not teach the Gospel in its purity and simplicity, and I could therefore not agree with them. I found it also necessary to go to the capital to settle a few business matters for my father. The prospect of taking this journey delighted me greatly, for I had long wished for it. Having the capital in view, I left Oroomiah to do missionary work and to attend to my father's business.

Reaching a caravan that I was to join, I found all the travelers except myself to be Mohammedans. They were about fifty in number. Some had horses, others mules or camels. The music, the singing, the

1 For contents of these manuscripts see Chapter IX, shouting, and the sound of the bells that hung on the necks of our animals could be heard a mile away. In the evening, every man smoked his opium and behaved as he was accustomed to do; women also smoked. I had to entertain myself, and I thought of my duties toward such a people. I knew it was not an easy matter to converse with them about the Christian religion; on the other hand, to bring these poor, lost souls under the Christian banner was the sole purpose of my leaving home. I prayed — Lord! Thou knowest that these people do not believe in Thee, for they know Thee not. Thou knowest, they have not heard of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. And Thou knowest, I have devoted my life, by Thy grace, to proclaim unto them Thy Word and Thy Truth. Father, give me Thy Spirit and power, that I may not fear those that kill the body!

Within a few days I had spoken to several of them. They did not agree with me, but showed no sign of wanting to ill-treat me. Within a short time all knew what I intended to do. Occasionally they approached me and asked questions about the Christian religion. I spoke to them the Truth which I had learned from the Scriptures. At times, when some did not like my speech, they rushed at me with their knives to take my life. I spoke fearlessly and gently; and nearly always some one from among their company would defend me, telling them I was not deserving of such treatment. (This was the beginning of my work among the Mohammedans, which took place about the year 1893; while at home I had labored among the Nestorians and Assyrians. )

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I told them I did not fear death, as I knew I would be saved, but that they must answer for it if they took my life. Some of them appeared to be friendly, yet I knew my life was not safe while among them. I scattered the seed of divine truth among them, but many of my companions seemed to become hardened at hearing me. Whenever we passed a rocky place, they attempted to throw me down; often while crossing rivers they tried to push me into the water, but the Lord saved me. from their hands.

The people in the interior are ignorant, but at the same time cruel. They have no education of any kind to speak of. They live among the rocky mountains of Persia. Their houses are under the ground. People and cattle live in the same dug-out. They eat and sleep under the same roof, without any comfort or peace, and everywhere sin and misery abound. Human beings seem like wild beasts, ready to kill for a trifle. We spent nights in their homes, — sheep, oxen, horses and men sleeping in one circle. I visited families and groups of people, trying to bring them the Gospel. There was opportunity to work among them without much danger, as these people have scarcely any religion. My words seemed strange to them at first, but they soon understood my mission, and I taught them Christian truths. Many were pleased to hear me speak of God. Many promised not to steal nor disobey what I had spoken to them, but try to be honest and true to God. They were sorry when I left; asking me to return to them again, and in the meantime to pray for them. I felt happy and

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satisfied with the results of my brief visit to these people, and departed rejoicing- in my soul, with a more hopeful spirit to continue my work.

When approaching large towns, my companions seemed gentle and social; when out in the country they were rough and cruel, knowing there would be only a few to protect me; and whenever we stopped on our journey they spread the rumor that I was an infidel. At Salmas, Tabrez, Zangon, and Caspian, principal cities of the district, I met with a few missionaries who did the same work as I. In these cities one had the opportunity to work among Armenians and Syrians. The leaders of the Mohammedans are strongly opposed to Christian workers, and will not allow any one to preach the Gospel in public or even in private if it becomes known to them.

At length we came to Teheran, the capital of Persia^ where I parted from my company, and secured a place to begin my work in that great city. I remained there nearly two years, and met with fair success, though I suffered persecutions and attacks while teaching in my day school, also in our meetings. One evening I was called to visit a family. Some enemies of the Gospel had watched me closely. As I opened the door to leave, a gun was fired, aimed, as it seemed, at my face. I fell to the ground. The bullet missed me, but the powder nearly blinded my eyes and affected my head to such an extent that I suffered from it for a long time. Another time I was going home from a meeting held at the home of a new convert, about QtSO in the evening. That is considered a very late hour in the city. I carried no lantern on this occasion, for fear I might be seen and attacked. I crossed a vacant lot near the settlement of the English consul, then turned to the right oil my way to the American settlement. ^ Suddenly some one came running and took and dragged me aside, threatening to stab me if I dared utter a sound. Aware of the danger, I braced myself for victory or death; I had nothing with which to defend myself. The stranger asked me to go back with him through the vacant lot, but I refused, anticipating his evil intentions. He, however, compelled me by force to walk with him a few yards. I knew that a little further on I would have the point of the cold steel thrust into my heart. While we were walking on I pushed him into the ditch and ran back. As I turned to see if he was following me, he fired his pistol at me, wounding me in the left leg. Even to-day the bullet wound brings back to me the recollection of that awful night. Again and again they secretly attempted to kill me, and that too, in the very heart of the great capital. My Heavenly Father, however, kept me safe. He scattered the enemies even as chaff before the wind. He made them tremble to appear before the magistrates for persecuting His servant without cause. He turned their courage into cowardice. He destroyed their hidden plans, and made them stumble in the night; and graciously did

^ I was, let me add, the guest of the clerk, Merza-Kahraman, my friend, to whom I frequently allude in this book.

He guard His servant against all harm and danger. He watched over me by night, and gave me courage by day to preach His word without fearing the persecutions. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me."

Here at Teheran I met Fakr-Il-leslam "the crown of Mohammedanism," whom they call second Mohammed, and who is one of Christianity's fiercest foes. I saw the book which he has written against the Bible. He is endeavoring to stop all the Bibleworkers from laboring among his people. He is my uncle. He, however, accepted Mohammedanism when he was a child, and since then has labored in the interests of that religion. We often spoke together, and I told him that he was sinning against God and his own better knowledge. One time he asked me, would Christ forgive him if he turned to be a believer in his last days.-* I said, it might be too late — why not now.-* His self-righteousness would not permit him to sink down in repentance before Jesus. Yet I hope God will some day break the carnal will of this man and make him a true believer. Should he become a Christian, he would undoubtedly prove a great help to the cause of Christ.

Through his influence I gained the acquaintance of many priests and high officers. He thought, perhaps, I would change my faith and come to believe in Mohammed by associating with the nobility of the capital. Contrary to his opinion, I tried, wherever I went, to interest my acquaintances in the Christian work, and spoke the Word of God to them. I also gave them copies of the New Testament, hoping that by reading them they might find the way to Christ. My uncle, obtaining knowledge of nay work, became enraged. He invited me to his house, chained me hand and foot, and tied me by the neck to a nail in the wall, and ordered his servants to take off my clothes; he then brought some sticks or willow wands, which he had kept in water to prevent them from breaking easily. The servants, and he also, surrounded me, each armed with a stick, with which they whipped my feet and body, until the sticks were broken. The blood had spotted the stones all around me; even his white garments were stained by drops of blood. He wanted to force me to promise him that I would immediately give up all missionary work in the city. I, however, did not promise, and was left in the same condition until the next morning; then new sticks were brought and the savage performance of the day before was repeated for an hour or more. Merza Kahraman, however, came to my ressue and relieved me from further torture. I am much indebted to this gentleman for his kindness and good service.

Shortly before this incident took place several mollahs or priests and I were in the same carriage going to Shah-abdel-azem, ^ to see the procession at the an-

^ Shah-abdel-azem is a httle town about fifteen miles south of Teheran. The tombs of the Persian kings are found here. It is also a place of refuge for the Mohammedans.

DAVID BAR JOSEPH.

IN MOHAMMEDAN PRIEST COSTUME.

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niversary of the Shah's accession to the throne. At the end of the journey^ the moUah nearest to me showed signs of anger and was very unpleasant. I asked him what the cause was. In reply he said, because my clothes touched his, and I being a Christian, this would prevent an answer to his prayers. Nevertheless, they had taken me out that day for the sake of compelling me to become a Mohammedan; of this I became aware afterwards. But on the same day the Shah was shot, and they were unable to carry out their plan.

Fearing further persecutions, I left Teheran for a visit to Koasestan. The weather was exceedingly hot and we rested in the open fields, beside springs of water and amid green pastures. This gave pleasure to the stranger, and here was food and drink for the cattle, and here life to the natives. My thoughts were lifted to Him who is the creator and preserver of all. But also amid these beautiful surroundings my troubles continued. In the day-time weariness and cruel companions; at night, fear of robbery and murder. But I entrusted my life into the care of my Saviour, Jesus, and praised His name.

The Lord my God I praise and bless, For He has heard my soul's distress ; And has inclined His ear to me, If then. He now the same will be.

The Lord protected me and I went about my work as before. Wherever I met natives, I spoke to them the cheerful words of the Gospel; if I met a man who could read I gave him a copy of the New Testament.

During six months of my stay in that district, I worked happily and cheerfully in each town and village through which we passed. On this journey I learned to know more fully the spiritual needs of the natives, and with a happy heart, I preached the Word of God to my countrymen, the Mohammedans. After visiting a few other districts, I departed for Aderbajan, to visit my new converts and my parents. Winter had entered the land, clothing mountains and plains in its spotless robe of purity. The stately trees were robbed of their foliage. All the beauties and pleasures of the summer days had passed away. Instead of the calm, mild sunshine of summer there was the wind and cold of winter. Traveling over the rocky mountains at this time of the year was a dangerous undertaking, and we also feared it. Far as we could see, our eyes beheld in the distance groups of natives passing by in noisy caravans. At this time our party was composed of six men with their horses to carry us through the snow.

Two of the men and I stopped at a small hotel to buy some refreshments; the rest took care of our horses and moved on slowly. About half an hour later we started after our companions, who had passed around the hill and were out of view. We should never see them again! Alas! in a few minutes a snow storm swept across the road. The snow fell thick and fast. We kept close to each other, but soon strayed from the road. We lost the right direction, but plodded on over hills and through valleys with no one to guide us. We struggled in this way for several i8

hours until I became exhausted. I told my comrades to continue until they found a village or an inn, then to send some one to my rescue, lest I should perish here in the snow. I tried to banish all thought of the danger and the icy cold, but it was impossible. Death stared me in the face! Thus I suffered for several hours, and there was no hope of human assistance. In my distress I turned to God in prayer: Lord! be merciful to me a sinner, save my life that I may labor in Thy field; not that I wish to live for myself, but that I may bring lost Mohammedans unto Thy truth. "Father, Thy will be done, not mine." At last I heard foot-steps and men talking, but was unable to call to them. They came near and found me alive in my icy grave; they pulled me out, tied me on a horse, and brought me to their home. They frequently offered me opium to smoke, but I refused, as I had not smoked it for three years. They recommended it as a certain cure for my sickness, and said if I did not smoke I must die. I said I knew what opium is, and had smoked it before, and would never touch it again, even though I die. There were no doctors to attend to me, but God restored my life once'more. In a few weeks, I could eat, drink and go about perfectly well.

We had not heard from our missing friends, our horses and the goods, and did not know whether they were dead or alive. We could not hire any horses from the village, and had to walk to a larger town to look for our friends. The next day we traveled afoot from morning till night. I nearly lost all my strength.

and my feet became very sore. On the following day we sent one of our company to secure horses for us, but he never returned, although we waited for several days. We were therefore compelled to walk until we could find a place where we might hire some horses. We were not acquainted in those hilly parts of the country. We took a path which had been used before. Further on the snow had covered up all footprints, and we ploughed our way through the snow. We increased our speed in order to find a place to stay for the night. Unfortunately we had missed the right direction to the village and were wandering about between the rocks and valleys. My friend became so weary that he sat down and begged me not to leave him. Soon he could not speak at all, but I could see tears in his eyes. Then his hands fell lifeless by his side; with a heavy sigh he closed his eyes and breathed his last. I looked with sadness at the man who had died before my eyes, for he had passed into eternity without the knowledge of a Saviour.

I left the lifeless body, if possible, to save my own life. I seemed to have no feeling in my feet, and my eyelashes were covered with ice. I hurried up and down the hills, and commenced to feel warmer; but I did not know where I was going. At a turn in the roadway, between two steep cliffs, I suddenly espied two wolves, one on each side of the road. The sight of them made me tremble. It got dark before my eyes; my hair almost stood on end; I shouted and screamed, but they cast a greedy look at me. Must I fall a prey to wild beasts in this wintry night.^* for I saw no way to escape from them. I turned again in prayer to my Heavenly Father, imploring^ His help. The animals stood still and stared grimly at me, as though they would say: It is in vain that you cry; we'll do what we please. Suddenly one of them sprang to the other side. I at once crossed the road and made for the hili. They chased me, and, as wolves are wont to do, threw snow into my face to blind me. At times they were in front of me, then again they would fall behind, only to begin the chase anew. 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, though they were close upon me. At such a moment and in a place like this, one realizes the sweetness of God's promise: <'The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34, 7.