Modern Persia Part 1

Modern Persia.

by Mooshie G. Daniel.

PREFACE.

The author, in spending four years in America, has come in contact with different cla.s.ses of people who have raised serious questions concerning modern Persia.

Those who are interested in politics and government, have asked: Is modern Persia a province of Turkey? Is it as large as the state of Michigan? Is the king still absolute as in ancient times? Have the laws of the Medes and Persians undergone no change? Are there any remains of Persia's ancient beauty and grandeur?

These, and questions like these, have been from time to time presented to the author. On the other hand it is to be observed that many journalists traveling through Persia have greatly misrepresented that country. Their limited stay made it impossible for them to acquire any accurate knowledge of the country.

It is no easy task to familiarize oneself with the ideas and customs of that ancient and historic country. To thousands in Persia the literature and history of their own land is a sealed book.

Questions the most serious and earnest have been raised by G.o.dly ministers and devoted people who have for years been generous givers to the cause of Foreign Missions. I have been asked questions like these: Is there a solid foundation established by missions in Persia? What has the gospel done? What changes have taken place? What are some of the fruits of our mission work over there? What are some of the temporal improvements? Very recently Rev. O. N. Hunt of Edwardsburg, Mich., wrote the author asking what is the moral condition of Persia to-day in comparison to what it was when the missionaries began their work?

Questions like these prompted the author to write this small book.

Its object is to encourage the mission spirit; to quicken and kindle anew the fires of divine love in the hearts of all those to whom it will come; to promote and advance the blessed gospel of our Lord and His Christ; to hasten the day when millions that now sit in darkness and the shadow of death may set their faces toward the light.

Oh, Jehovah of the East!

Who was once born in the East, Who preached and was crucified in the East, When wilt thou again visit the East?

Remarks: The author wishes to say that in the survey of modern Persia free use was made of the International Encyclopedia, especially in the matter of dates.

Dr. Philip Scaff's Church History was also consulted in the account given of Mohammed.

The leaves of the trees, are the gift of the poors.

LIFE OF MOOSHIE G. DANIEL IN PERSIA.

The ancestors of M. G. Daniel, a true stock of the Nestorian sect and Syrian nationality came down from Kurdiston mountain in 1740 and settled in Persia at Oroomiah district. The one family now increased to fifty, all live in villages near to each other. G. Daniel with his four brothers settled in a small village four miles east of Oroomiah city.

The inhabitants of this village are composed of fifty Mohammedan families and twenty-eight Nestorians. His parents had four sons and two daughters, all died in their childhood. Daniel was their seventh child born in 1861. His native village was visited by Rev. G. Coan, D.D. and Dr. Perkins, missionaries from America who preached the gospel message to the Nestorians of that village, at the same time also started a school for their children. At this time Daniel was thirteen years old.

The parents were very glad to send their children to this school which increased to thirty students.

Daniel was very anxious to attend this school. This desire was encouraged in every possible way by his earnest, self sacrificing Christian mother, Rachel, who came of high and n.o.ble lineage. But his father vigorously objected for fear his son would change from his old Nestorian faith. When Daniel saw other boys going to school he would often cry and pray that G.o.d would change his father's heart and lead him to send his son to school. This earnest desire on the part of the young and earnest lad led to an earnest discussion and difference between his parents as to the future policy with their boy. Finally after two month's earnest prayer on the part of the mother and her son the Spirit of G.o.d reconciled the opposition of the father and made him willing to send his son to school. Daniel continued his studies in this school four years and read a chapter of the Bible to his parents every night. The father thus became interested and in the second year sent Daniel's two sisters and brother to school. He soon became the first student in the school. Rev. G. Coan when visiting the school embraced Daniel and his sisters and kissed them with the holy kiss of joy as the first fruit of his labors.

After four years this school closed on account of lack of students.

There arose a dark cloud of sorrow and disappointment to poor Daniel.

What shall I do to continue my studies, was the despairing cry of the consecrated boy. But his strong will soon found a way. He was now sixteen years old. There was a small village of three hundred families called Golpashan two miles distant from his home town. Golpashan contained a high school and a Presbyterian church of three hundred members. Daniel decides to go to school at this place, but again meets opposition from his father, who wants him to stay at home and work for him. But his mother met his father with the strong argument that she had consecrated her child to G.o.d before he was born, because G.o.d gave him to me after the death of my six children. But the mother lived in continual fear that her son would be devoured by wolves on his way to school and then she said, "I will go down to my grave in a miserable condition." But the son, willing to sacrifice even life itself for study, said, "I will go, mother, trusting in G.o.d and your prayers."

Events soon proved that the mother's fears were well founded. Once, very early in the morning, while on his way to school he was attacked by a large, ferocious wolf. But he made good his escape up a tree near by. But he received such a shock from this attack that he was prostrated three months and his life was despaired of by all his friends. But G.o.d graciously restored him to health for His holy ministry. Daniel always believed in the out-stretched hand of G.o.d that s.n.a.t.c.hed him from the wolf. Hundreds of times he thanks G.o.d in his prayers for this deliverance.

When Mr. Daniel was seventeen years old he reached the greatest crisis of his life. His parents decided to marry him to a girl a few steps only from his residence, because the parents of the couple had decided when they were children to marry them to each other. This was in accordance with a foolish custom of the Nestorians. His father had firmly decided to make the match, but his mother said, "Only if he himself wishes." But Daniel's aim was very high, he was running to obtain a higher prize. He said to his mother, "I am married to my studies." His mother replied, "My son, I have dedicated you to G.o.d, I cannot compel you to marry." His father was full of indignation and anger against the disobedience of his son, and he said, "I will never send you to the Presbyterian college. I cannot spend one cent on you."

Daniel was very fond of fishing, hunting, and raising grapes, and was one of the best husbandmen in Persia. One morning when fishing, a young man whose name was Abraham, and afterward a cla.s.smate for seven years in college, handed to him an envelope in which was written by Dr.

Oldfather, a missionary, and President of the Presbyterian College at Oroomiah, Persia, "We have accepted you in our college." Daniel thought this a calling from Jesus Christ just as He had called four of His disciples from their fishing. He threw his net on the sh.o.r.e of the river, and kneeling down, thanked G.o.d for this, His holy calling.

Rising up from his prayer he took his net, and started for home. On arrival he told his parents that he wanted to go to college. Again his father objected, saying that he could not spend any money for his education.

But his mother sold all her jewels and sent him to college.

COLLEGE LIFE.

In 1875 Daniel went to Oroomiah college. For first two years Rev. Dr.

Oldfather was President of the college. In the second year he was converted by hearing a sermon and a song by Dr. Oldfather whose singing quickens sleeping souls of sinners. His cla.s.s at the beginning was thirty persons, but at graduation only twelve. He studied very hard, sitting up at night with his book until eleven o'clock. One of his cla.s.smates, Rev. Abraham, was his bosom friend. They recited in a small closet often until midnight and then had prayers before going to bed.

Daniel graduated in 1882 under the Presidency of Dr. J. H. Shedd, one of the most eminent men ever sent as a missionary to Persia by the Presbyterian Church. All his cla.s.smen are leaders in the Presbyterian church as well as of the Nestorian nation. For two of them have lately been offered the t.i.tle counts by the late Shah. Dr. S. J. Alamsha a n.o.ble consecrated Doctor of Medicine, one of the fellow graduates of Daniel, shows the tenor of the spirit of Christian fort.i.tude and devotion in declaring his faith in the Trinity in the very face of the Governor of State who had just threatened him with persecution by cutting off his hands if he insisted on repeating the confession. But Dr. Alamsha replied that he was a Christian, and if ever questioned as to his faith would confess it not only at the cost of his hands but his head also. He further stated that he would not impose his faith on any one unless they requested, and that if the Governor did not want his confession he had better not ask for it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WIFE AND DAUGHTER OF THE AUTHOR.]

Two weeks after Daniel's graduation he was elected instructor in the high school for three years. Each year he had a week of revival meetings which was very fruitful in the conversion of many students.

Nearly one hundred students were graduates under him in high school. In 1885 Daniel was married to Miss Sarah George, a young lady graduate of the Ladies' Seminary, whose mother was instructor in this seminary for seven years. In 1886 was offered to him the chair of Ancient Syriac in Oroomiah College which he occupied for seven years. His many friends rejoiced with him in his call to this higher and wider field of labor.

When he moved to college Mrs. Daniel was very ambitious for his success in College. She said, "I like to tell you I want you to teach your studies better than any professor in the college; I want you to devote all your time to your work; I want you to be a shining example to all students; I want you to love all students as your brothers; I want you to respect yourself. Be kind to all students, let our home be as their homes. I want you to preach the best sermons, then you will be the crown of my head and I will love you as the pupil of my eyes." This was a very hard charge and very precious work, but it proved for Daniel very precious jewels. Mrs. Daniel is one of the most intelligent ladies of Persia. For the first three years he went to bed always at eleven o'clock and taught each week twenty-six studies. Three times a week he conducted gospel meetings and each alternate Sabbath conducted Sabbath-school. He was a leader of the college church, secretary of Board of Education, Superintendent and Quester of County schools. The testimony of Faculty and Board of Education was that he taught ancient Syriac better than any of his predecessors. Daniel was the youngest member of the Faculty. He had students ten years older than himself but they all loved him as their brother. Sometimes he would spend as much as two hours a night talking and praying with individual students. Four months of winter for several years he was visitor of the county schools. Besides this he worked in revival meetings during one week in his own church. While working with the pastor he preached twice each day and forty-two persons were converted. When he was leaving town all elders, deacons and other prominent men escorted him a long distance with much grat.i.tude. His piety and integrity were taken as an example by Christian and un-christian.

LIFE OF MOOSHI G. DANIEL IN AMERICA.

CHURCH, SCHOOL AND CLa.s.s.

On the first of October 1895 I entered McCormick Seminary. Immediately feeling the need of identifying myself with the church I accordingly became a member of the Church of the Covenant, Dr. W. S. Plummer Bryan, pastor. It is impossible to set down in words the comfort, encouragement and a.s.sistance that has come to me through this relation.

Dr. Bryan has been to me a steadfast and faithful friend. His sermons have been to me a continual source of instruction in things spiritual and divine. Many of them have left a lasting impression upon my mind.

One I remember with great distinctness. It was upon the last seven words of Christ, so real and vivid did the scene appear that the whole of that mournful tragedy was enacted before my eyes. Concerning the Church of the Covenant I can say with David, "If I forget thee, Oh Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Even though I were on the other side of the globe, I will not forget the kindness of the church and its pastor.

Naturally my life at the seminary at first was lonesome; but as soon as I became acquainted with professors and students the seminary became a home to me much prized and enjoyed. From my studies I derived much pleasure. Systematic Theology was to me a continual banquet of delicacies. In Pastoral Theology and Homiletics I was inspired with the high and sacred duties of the Christian ministry.

By the study of Greek Exegesis I was taught the invaluable benefit that comes from close attention to the original texts and ma.n.u.scripts which are the source of interpretation in the study of New Testament Greek.

In Old and New Testament literature belief in inspiration was reinforced and fortified. The whole scheme of the Christian religion was to me rendered plain and reasonable.

MY CLa.s.s.

The cla.s.s of 1897 is unique and original among all the cla.s.ses graduated from McCormick Seminary. It was said by one in position to know, that it was perhaps the strongest cla.s.s ever sent out from the Seminary. This was evidenced by the character of the orations delivered at the Graduating Exercises. Among this cla.s.s are many who will be adorned by degrees and honorary t.i.tles. All, I hope, will meet with much success in winning souls to Christ.

In personal appearance there are among them princes and lords; but one thing made me sorry every time I looked upon their faces, namely that so many shaved their mustaches. My advice to all of them is to raise mustaches, and not appear like girls, but as princes. Some of them had such long and difficult names that I could not p.r.o.nounce them, but a few had very easy names, for instance Mr. McGaughey, which means in Persian Language, "don't say so," a phrase used by young girls. Mr.

Earhart which means in ancient Syriac, "I will run." Mr. Ross in Arabic means "head." My cla.s.s was very loving and kind to us two Persians.

Every time we made good recitations in cla.s.ses, they were gladder than we were, and when we failed they became even more sorry than we. I remember once failing in my recitation, and after cla.s.s Mr. Earhart came into my room to comfort me. The memories of my cla.s.s are to me like sweet spices, and will be cherished by me everywhere I go.

INTRODUCTION.