236 REV. G. E. WRITE, ON THE SHIA TURKS. 
A few minor points may be added. Shias do not require 
celibacy of even their holiest sheikhs and dedes, but if a man 
voluntarily chooses a celibate life they regard him with additional 
veneration. Contrary to regular Mohammedan usage they 
allow the use of wine, though they claim never to use enough 
to fuddle the God-given reasoning faculty. I fear, however, 
that many of them drink till they are much the worse for 
liquor. I said they held by twelve Imams ; they look for a 
thirteenth yet to come, and it is perfectly possible that at any 
day some Mahdi, a Guide, may arise, whose appearance would 
shake the whole Shia world. One village not far away is said 
to have some sort of fire worship, perhaps a relic of Persian 
customs, but as yet no details have been given me. 
The writer can never forget that he is with all his heart a 
Christian missionary, and while college work with large 
numbers of young men is his chief vocation, a missionary 
avocation at least may allow one to cultivate some friendly 
relations with the poor Shias. It is hard to acquire or retain 
any influence over them. They are recognised as Moham- 
medans, and the whole power of the Turkish Church and State 
is exercised to prevent anyone from avowing himself a 
Christian. They read almost nothing, and so the Scriptures 
have no opportunity to take hold, while their peculiar ideas of 
fate, pantheism and the transmigration of souls make it 
difficult for them to grasp Christian doctrine, even that con- 
cerning the person of Christ. They have not education enough 
to make them appreciate missionary schools. The medical 
missionary they can understand, and they seek our hospitals in 
large numbers. There they see and appreciate applied 
Christianity. Some of them say they never knew till sickness 
drove them to the hospital that there could be a place without 
bad language, hard feeling, harsh conduct, quarrelling, and 
similar dark concomitants of life. For all their efforts to win 
divine favour, to escape from the burden of sin, to face the 
future life without fear, they find no real satisfaction, no peace 
of heart. Some day, in some manner, they will come to under- 
stand the meaning of the life and work and teaching of Christ, 
and then, — would that I might be there to see ! 
