THE earliest history of Turkey, like that of most nations of any antiquity, is lost in obscurity. The uplands of the Altai Mountains seem to have been the cradle of the Turkish race where they were neighbors of the Mongols and Tartars; but while the latter remained in their original home, the Turks gradually migrated westward.
In the tenth century Islamism was brought to the Turks from Persia and spread with great rapidity, when the name of Turkoman (true believer) came into general use. During the eleventh century all of Syria and western Asia came under their sway. One of their prominent invaders was Seljuk, who conquered Persia, while his grandson, the great Khan Toghrul, overran Georgia, Armenia, and Asia Minor.
There are reasons for believing that in earlier times Asia Minor was composed of rich and populous kingdoms, but now it is neither rich, powerful, nor populous. The present population is composed largely of Osmanlis, or Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Syrians, with Koords and Arabs on the confines of Persia. There are seven non-Mohammedan creeds recognized: Greek, Armenian, Syrian, Maronite, Protestant, Jew, and Papist.
Legally, any one can change his creed; practically it means that any one can become a Mohammedan, but no Mohammedan can change his religion. European and Asiatic Turkey contain a population of about 21,000,000. Of the 9,000,000 who are not Moslems more than half are nominal Christians, who are scattered throughout the empire and are everywhere in the minority, without unity, organization, or mutual sympathy. These include Armenians, Bulgarians, Greeks, Syrians, and some minor sects. The work of the American missions is largely among the first three, that among the Armenians being especially promising, though now greatly hindered for many reasons.
The four missions of the American Board within the Turkish Empire extend from Monastir on the west to Van on the east, and from the Black Sea to northern Syria. Within this region there are now 125 churches, with a membership of 12,428, of whom 544 were received the past year. The American laborers in these missions number 177, of whom 56 are men and 68 unmarried women. The native force of laborers numbers 867, of whom 230 are pastors or preachers. In our mission schools within this empire there are no less than 20,604 pupils under instruction.—American Board Almanac, 1895.
WHO PERSECUTE, AND WHY?
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”—Neh. 8:8.
Lesson X.—Sabbath, December 7, 1895.
WHO PERSECUTE, AND WHY?
1. What is the meaning of the term “persecute”? PERSECUTE.—“(1) To pursue in a manner to injure, vex, or afflict; to cause to suffer pain from hatred or malignity; to harass; to beset in an annoying way. (2) Especially to afflict, harass, or punish for adherence to a particular creed or system of religious principles, or to a mode of worship.”—Webster. The punishment of criminals through the enforcement of right laws can never be persecution. To hang murderers or imprison thieves is not persecution. From the very nature of the case, persecution implies an injustice done by one person to another.
2. Have the professed people of God ever persecuted? “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” Acts 7:52.
3. By what parable does Christ show the same thing? Parable of the vineyard. See Matt. 21:33–39.
4. What charge did he bring against Jerusalem? “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matt. 23:37.
5. What was the result of such a course? “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” 2 Chron. 36:16.
6. Can a true child of God persecute? “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9.
7. By what principles are such governed? Ans.—Love, forgiveness, forbearance, patience, kindness. 2 Cor. 5:14.
8. How will love lead us to treat a neighbor? “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matt. 22:39.
9. What instructions, in this respect, will true Christians follow? “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44. “And as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. See Rom. 12:14, 19, 20 and note .
10. Who is it, then, that persecutes? “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Gal. 4:29.
11. And who are the persecuted?—Id. See note .
12. Can the persecutor, therefore, ever be right? Whatever the circumstances may be, the persecutor can not be right, for persecution itself is wrong. Even though the persecutor were defending the truth, his persecution would be wrong. Thomas Clarke, an English writer, has well said, “There are many who do not seem to be sensible that all violence in religion is irreligious, and that, whoever is wrong, the persecutor can not be right.”
13. By what spirit are those led who persecute? “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” Eph. 2:1, 2.
14. What did Christ say of those who were seeking to take his life? “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44.
15. What is said of Satan in Rev. 12:13? “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” Compare with verse 9.
16. What was he from the beginning? See question 14.
17. Why do men persecute? “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:11, 12. See note .
18. Upon what class does Satan make war? “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17.
19. How long will persecution exist? “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” Dan. 7:21, 22. See note .
20. How many are to suffer persecution? “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12.
21. What has been left as a divine legacy to the followers of Christ? “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Phil. 1:29.
22. What is the promise to those who suffer thus? “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim. 2:12. See also Rom. 8:17 and Matt. 5:10.
23. What spirit should we manifest under persecution? “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matt. 5:11, 12. See also 1 Peter 2:19, 20; Phil. 1:28.
24. How did the apostles regard it? “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:41. See also 2 Cor. 12:10.
25. Why does God permit persecution to come on his people? “And they that understand among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.” “And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for a time appointed.” Dan. 11:33, 35. See note .
26. What do those who persecute God’s people bring on themselves? “As for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.” Jer. 26:14, 15. “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city; that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” Matt. 23:34, 35.
27. Has God promised to vindicate his people? “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7, 8.
Acceptable Service
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DAVID AND GOLIATH
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17.
38. And Saul armed David with his armor, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39. And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I can not go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine.
41. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.
48. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
Golden Text: “The battle is the Lord’s.” Verse 47.
NOTE.—The place of this lesson is the valley of Elah, near Shochoh, about fifteen miles southwest of Jerusalem. Near the upper end of the narrow valley the armies of Israel and the Philistines were encamped, the former on the slopes of the northern ridge, the latter on the southern. In the midst of the valley ran the river in a narrow but deep ravine, into and across which neither side dared venture, as the opposing force would thus have the advantage. Here for forty days Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, paraded, and taunted and challenged to single combat any in the Israelitish army, as fully set forth in the early portion of the chapter under consideration. David at this point appears on the scene with a message from his father to his three oldest brothers, who were with the army, hears the boastful words of the giant, is made acquainted with the events of the past few weeks, rebukes the men of the army, and is brought before Saul, when he proposes himself to fight the Philistines. When reminded that he is but a youth, without experience, he relates his victories over the lion and the bear, attributing his success to the Lord, who he confidently affirms will help on the present occasion. Saul answers, “Go, and the Lord be with thee.” The time is probably not long after the events of the previous lesson.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) How did Saul prepare David for the conflict? Verse 38. Note 1. (2) What was the outcome of this arming? Verse 39. Note 2. (3) How did David prepare to meet the enemy? Verse 40. Note 3. (4) As he approached the Philistine, what did the latter do? Verse 41. (5) How did the giant regard David? Verse 42. (6) What did he say? Verse 43. (7) With what words did he taunt him? Verse 44. (8) What reply did David make? Verse 45. Note 4. (9) With what confident language did David foretell the result of the fight? Verse 46. (10) For what grand purpose did he say the Lord would work? Last clause verse 46, and verse 47. Note 5. (11) How did the conflict begin? Verse 48. (12) What was the result of David’s attack? Verse 49. (13) How did he complete his victory? Verse 51. (14) What was the final result? Same verse. See also following verses.
NOTES.
1. And Saul armed David.—The margin reads, “clothed David with his clothes.” This doubtless conveys the proper idea, that is, proper clothing was given him upon which the coat of mail and helmet might rest, instead of upon his light and unsuitable shepherd’s raiment. See Revised Version.
2. I have not proved them.—In deference to the king, David put on the armor and “assayed to go.” But his training had not made him familiar with the use of such equipments, and the consequence was he was hampered by them, and put them off. But this did not signify that he had no preparation. As a shepherd he had constantly to defend his flock from the attacks of wild beasts of prey and the fiercer attacks of robbers. He had the reputation of being a “mighty valiant man, and a man of war” (1 Sam. 16: 18), and in the use of the sling, a really formidable weapon in skilled hands, and one in common use in those times, he was an adept. Moreover, he was agile and swift of foot and could easily keep out of the reach of the heavily-armored giant, while being able to dodge a javelin or spear in its flight. So from a human standpoint his method of attack was calculated to be the most successful. Added to the feasibility of the plan was perfect familiarity with the weapons used. They had been proved.
3. He took his staff, etc.—The staff was the ordinary shepherd’s crook. Smooth stones were chosen as the best adapted to accurate throwing. The bag, or scrip, was a small leathern wallet in which food and various small articles were carried.
4. The Philistine.—Goliath doubtless presented a terrifying appearance, sufficient to daunt the courage of the strongest warriors. In height he was “six cubits and a span” (verse 4), or about nine and one-half feet. He had a helmet of brass, a coat of brass, and brass greaves on his legs, and a brazen javelin hung between his shoulders on his back. His coat, which was probably made of plates or scales overlapping each other, weighed 5,000 shekels, estimated at 157 pounds avoirdupois, while his spearhead alone weighed 19 pounds. But the Spirit of the Lord was upon the shepherd youth, and the consciousness of divine help dispelled all fear.
5. The battle is the Lord’s.—To the taunts of the giant Philistine and his cursings, calling upon his gods or idols, which were less than nothing, David replied that he came in the name of the Lord of hosts, who was the one really defied. It was apparent that faith in God was well-nigh dead in the army of Israel, whose king was possessed of an unquiet, or evil spirit. Hence the Lord used his humble servant, David, with the simplest weapons so far as battles were concerned, to put to rout the mighty, and to proclaim to “all the earth” that there is a God in Israel. Again the Lord showed them, as he had so often done before, that he saves “not with sword and spear.” “Not by army [margin], nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4: 6. So it is in all the battles with all the Goliaths of sin and temptation and trouble. Let them be never so gigantic and seemingly overpowering, their overthrow is sure and certain by the help of the Spirit of the Lord. There are weapons, too, for the Christian to use,—the sword of the Spirit, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, which are able to “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” These are weapons in the use of which every Christian must be skilled, for he can not fight with the weapons of the world in the spiritual warfare.
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