I’M GLAD to see you Stephanos. I Come in and tell me all about yourself and how your work is going on.”
That was the way Mr. Hooper welcomed Stephanos Majar in his office in Port Said, Egypt, one morning years ago. Stephanos was one of the Lord’s valued packmen, or colporteurs.
“Well, sir, I have much to tell you, but it is on my heart to speak of Arabia. I want to go there again.” “Nobody knows better than you, Stephanos, that anyone who carries the Bible into Arabia carries also his life in his hands.”
“I know it, sir, but my trust is in God.”
Then Stephanos unfolded his plan, while Mr. Hooper listened with admiration for the boldness of it.
The man at the Bible house packed six boxes full of Bibles, Testaments, and Gospels and put them on board a ship. When it sailed a few days later, it carried Stephanos with a crowd of pilgrims who were bound for the sacred Mohammedan city of Mecca. He was dressed like them and he spoke Arabic as they spoke. They never suspected that he was a Christian or they might have thrown him overboard. He kept very quiet all through.
They came at last to the port, Heidah. Stephanos landed and presently was standing in the Customs House with his six boxes before the Turkish officer.
“These six cases contain holy books which I am conveying to His Excellency, the Governor of Sana’a. They must not be opened. Seal them, then call for camels and send them off,” ordered Stephanos.
The Turkish officer was much impressed by the way in which Stephanos gave his orders. Soon the boxes were sealed and loaded on the camels and the drivers led them off along the white road to Sana’a. Three days later, Stephanos hired a swift racing camel and himself rode through the desert to Sana’a. Arriving at the palace, he found the six cases there safe in the Governor’s store. Then he approached one of the officials of the great man and said: “I beg you to inform His Excellency that Stephanos Majar has arrived and craves the honor to display the treasure that he has brought in six cases.”
The Governor had never heard of Stephanos before, but the suggestion of treasure roused his curiosity and he soon called him. As Stephanos bowed before him, the Governor said: “What treasure is this of which you speak, oh stranger?”
“Your Excellency knows,” said Stephanos, “that it is said in the Koran, ‘Believe in God and His Apostles and the Book which He hath revealed to His Apostles, and the Book which He sent down bore.’ Tie this ancient Book I have brought your Excellency.”
So saying, Stephanos produced a beautiful Bible from within his long robe. The governor was a lover of books, and he took this one carefully, turning it over and admiring its handsome binding and fine Arabic lettering.
“There is no strength or power but in God!” exclaimed the Governor. “Of this Book I have heard, but never saw it till now.”
He opened and began to read: “In the beginning God created...”
“Truly,” he said, “it is the book of the law. Come, expound to me. Where does it tell of Abraham, leader of the faithful?”
Stephanos read the chapters about Abraham and Moses, then turned to the gospels. For hours the governor listened and asked questions. At last, he closed the Book. “Now,” he said, “tell me of the treasure that is in the six boxes.”
“But, your Excellency, this is the treasure. The six cases contain nothing but copies and portions of this Book. I brought this one for you, and ask your gracious permission to sell the rest to your people.”
The governor looked at him sternly. “Thou art a Nazarene [Christian]. Truly, thou art a brave man to come here with thy Book. Knowest thou not that if I speak the word, these Arabs will rend thee from limb? Dost thou not value thy life?”
“My trust is in God!” replied Stephanos.
The governor’s face changed. Re knew a brave man when he saw one. He gave Stephanos permission to sell, and also sent messengers to warn the people to do him no hark Stephanos stayed in Sana’a several days, and sold all his books Bibles, Testaments, Gospels. And he mounted his swift camel and rode back along the desert road to Hodeidah. Nobody knows but God the results of that brave act.
The Bible, dear reader, is God’s message to man wherever he is found. It tells of his true condition as a sinner — lost, helpless, ruined but it also tells how God loved the world and the gift of His beloved Son is His perfect remedy for sin Christ Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life.” Read your Bible for salvation; read it too everyday for light and strength and comfort all along the way from earth to heaven
ML-11/09/1969