The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-10-08
A Remarkable Conversion.

n OOAlN
On the last day of the week of prayer
Basilos Agha, an Armenian broker of
wealth and influence, was sitting alone in
his Office when, suddenly, as by NIGH
ty rushing wind, he was overwhelmed
with a sense of his sinfulness before God.
He was about thirty years of age, a man
of more than ordinary intelligence, had
travelled extensively, and was imbued
with French infdelity. Being anxious for
the elevation of his people, he retained
his connection with the Liberal party
Of the Armenian Church advocating the
sweeping away Of old supers6tions and
forms, and giving instead Of the Bible
the teachings Of Aristotle and other an
Gent philosophers. He made the ac-
quaintance of pastor Mardaros and his
Intelligent wife and partly from curiOs-
ity and partly from desire for increas-
ing his information, sometimes sought
their home, occasionally attending a
preaching service in the chapel But his
proud spirit scorned the humbling doc
trines of the cross, and he seemed very
far from the kingdom of Christ Now,
however, the Spirit of God was powerful
w striving with his soul, and closing his
Office, he went home His young wife was
alarmed at his appearance, and supposed
he must have heard bad news from dis
tant relatives. But to her eager inqui-
ries he answered:
No, no, it's my sins, my sins.
% Your sins p she scornfully respond
ed, nonsense =
But the strong man was bowed in an
guish, and when she saw him weep,
She was amazed. Lifting his head, he
said:
4 wish you would go and call the
pastor.
AS she wrapped herself in her veil, she
murmured He has lied to me, and now
I'll deceive him.
On her return, when he asked, Is he
coming?' she replied; No f.; he says he
won't come.
Thinking himself forsaken by man and
God, he turned to the long despised BIZ
bic. and read about the barren fig tree.
As he read the sentence pronounced by
the Saviour, Let no fruit grow on thee
henceforward forever" he groaned aloud /;
Il am that accursed tree. l have never
borne any fruit to the glory Of God, and
my condemnation is sealed.
His agony increased, and while he sat
there the pastor came in, and, seeing his
distress, anxiously inquired the cause,
The Agha could not speak, but pointed
to the fearful words of condemnation,
and they both wept. For week his sins
were set before him in black array, and
he found no peace by night or day, until
he finally resolved to serve God whether
He saved him or not.
One day when he was pleading with
an Armenian who rejected the divinity
of Christ, light broke in upon his own
soul, and food Of Joy such as he had
never before experienced. Hewas man
of noble and commanding presence, but
now his face glowed with light and
beauty that remined one of Moses on the
mount
The news of this wonderful, and in
comprehensive change that had come
over Basilos Agha created widespread
sensation through the town. 1t was
rumored that he was going to tell about
this new experience, so strange and unac-
countable, to his old companions; and on
that evening they focked to the chapel
to hear what he would have to say for
himself-men of rank and power, who
had never before entered that place Of
worship. From our seats in the corner
next the desk, we saw those Turkish and
Armenian grandees sweeping in with an
air of lofty pride and arrogance.
The brethren gave them the seats Of
honor, near the front, and soon the build
ING, which was capable Of accommodating
from FIVE hundred to seven hundred peo-
ole. was closely packed. After the open
ing exercises, Basilos Agha stood below
the desk, and in clear tones and simple
language told the story of what God had