| To the Editor of the Bible Christian Magazine. Dear Brother, As the inclosed interesting circumstance, (found recorded on a scrap of waste paper) proves the superiority of the precious Bible, and consequently of our holy religion, to that of the Koran of Mohammed, and the superstitious principles propagated so extensively by that Arabicimpostor, I consequeutly think it will probably be interesting to your readers, and also calculated to produce grateful feelings for our numerous gospel privileges, seeing the "lines are fallen to us" in such pleasant places," and to excite in our hearts a spirit of sympathy, and fervent prayer in behalf of all who still remain destitute of the glorious Gospel. I remain, your affectionate Brotber in Christ, Francis Martin. Sir, - the year 1774, Henry George Winegar, a Moravian Missionary, was sent to Egypt, where he remained upwards of thirty years. occasionally visiting tile Copts in Abyssina, and residing sometimes in Behnesse and sometimes at Grand Cairo. While at the latter place, if I am rightly informed, he had a memorable interview with a Turkish Aga, the particulars of which, as recorded in his diary, I send for insertion in your esteemed publication. For this remarkable narrative I am indebted to my friend and neighbour, the Rev. Ignatius Traneker, minister of the Brethren's Chapel in this town, by whom it was translated from the German. It will not, I am persuaded, be unacceptable to your readers; and, wishing to afford them the fullest satisfaction as to its authenticity, I give. in this instance, my name, with that of the translater, subscribing myself, Yours, truly, John Bulmer. Haverfordwest, Dec, 11, 1829. Walking one day, with some of my fellow-missionaries in the country, and seeing a large and beautiful garden, situated on the banks of the river Nile, we took the liberty of entering. The proprietor, a turkish Aga, came to meet us, bade us welcome in a friendly manner. His dress was both splendid and costly. He inquired if we were brothers, and professed the same religion. I replied, that we were indeed brethren, and our religion the same. He then directed his discourse to me, saying "What is the reason why you wear a long beard, while your brethren do not? You are, perhaps, a priest?" I replied, that I found it of use, at present, to let my beard grow. This answer however, did not appear to satisfy him; he therefore added, "You must be a. priest: do not keep my soul in suspense. I have prayed to Almighty God, that he would be pleased to bring it to pass, that I might become acquainted with a man, who could inform me what I must do to become happy; and God has promised, that a man should come into my garden, who should tell me what I must do. I believe you are that man; yea, I am certain of it. Be candid, and tell me." I replied, that I durst not venture to answer his question, so as to say what he must do to become happy, as he was a follower of Mohammed, but that be should ask his own priest. He then said, "I am convinced, that not only I, but all the followers and disciples of Mohammed are in the wrong way to happiness. There must be another way by which we are to be saved, and you are the person who is to tell me of it." "I am well aware," said he. "that our lives are forfeited, if it should ever be known that we have conversed on this subject; but you need not be alarmed, for you have to do with an upright man." Upon this he appeared much affected, which caused me likewise to be moved. I therefore said. "I will inform you what a Christian must do to be saved." He then walked with me under a fig-tree, and, while on the way, said, "Come, thou man of God! it is under this fig-tree that I have often prayed to God, and now it is here that you are to tell me what I must do." I lifted up my heart in silent prayer to God my Saviour, aud then related to him the principal events in the life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament, pointing out his miraculous birth, his life here upon earth, his bitter death on the cross, whereby he had made a full atonement for sin, his resurrection, and his ascension into heaven in the presence of all his disciples, where he was seated at the right hand of God, as a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. The Aga then lifted up his hands, and said, "O Jesus who sittest at the right hand of God, have mercy on me? Be thou also my Saviour." He repeated this ejaculation several times, whilst a flood of tears gushed from his eyes; and I have no doubt but God our Saviour graciously granted him his petition, on thus crying to him for mercy. He added, with peculiar emotion, "Lord Jesus, I behold thee with thy wounds! Thou art now my Saviour also! It is not in my power to express the sensations of my mind on this occasion; but I cannot deny, that I felt as if the Lord's presence accompanied this, to me remarkable, interview. The following morning, very early, a Turkish gentleman, with a numerous retinue, appeared in front of my house, which alarmed me not a little. I soon recognised him to be the Aga. I hastened to meet him, and said, "Sir, why do you bring such a large retinue with you?" He replied, "They are only my mamelukes, and know nothing about the reason of my visit, and I have given orders for them to remain in the street till I return. I have been quite impatient to see you and your brethren, and have not been able to sleep all night for joy." We conversed with him on the best of subjects, and in a very friendly manner, whilst we felt truly grateful to the Lord for the great mercy he had shown to this person, who. I am happy to say, remained faithful to his convictions during our continuance in Egypt. |