Page 177 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat
P. 177

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             10                        NEGLECTED ARABIA                           '

               One outstanding impression which we have received is of how *!
             integral a part their religion is of their every action, of their work, *
             of their words, of their worship. It is interesting to notice a group :i
             of men at work. One will call out, “Allah gawahhum,—God J
             strengthen them,” and immediately the others will take it up m a 3
             sort of echo chorus. Of course when the hours, of prayer arrive
             they drop their work and pray.                                          14"'
               The conversation of the Arab is full of the religious. “Iushullah,^
             —If God wills/' is always on .their lips. If one is asked a questional
             which he cannot answer or does not wish to answer he says, “Allah Sj
             allim” “God knows.” In the morning the usual greeting is “Sab ^
             bahkum' allah bil khair,”—“God give you a good morning,” and W
             when they part they say, “Fi iraan Allah,” “In the keeping of God.'!_£f
             Their speech is full of their monotheism.
               Here, one is overcome with the sense of the realness of Islam ^
             and of all her laws, especially that of apostasy. Young men have ^
             made private testimonies to their belief, but they dare not come 53
             out publicly in the face of certain bitter opposition by their dear ^
             ones. One young man gives a twentieth century edition of John.5*!
             3:19,—he chooses to walk in the way of his fathers with his back^l
             to the Light. But the attempt to win them still goes on. Every '4
             Sunday afternoon we have church services for the Arabs. About |
             seventy-five men and boys, and behind a curtain about twenty-five h
             women, gather weekly to hear the Old Story. I have thrilled at ^
             these services, and I thrill now. Many know, and just cannot come
             “across the line”. For such, prayer can be of great power before-.^
             the Throne.                                                            Op
               Our hospitals are rendering vital service to the community,;
             and for the Kingdom. The only convert of our station wti
             won as a result of hospital work. Esa remains most faithful and .*3
             true. At one time, Dr. Mylrea was able to save the life of a younj M
             boy here. ‘It is beautiful to watch the father, with his eyes full 3
             of love and gratitude look at the Doctor. Just at present in the $
             hospital our medical ladies are caring for an old sick woman whom 3
             no one else wants. These things do not go by unnoticed.                 gm
               Even if we have spent but four months here, we,,realize thtl:J|
             Mohammedanism is a tremendously real thing. But opposition UrS
             gradually and continually falling away. Friendships are many and !|
             increasing: the agencies of healing and teaching and preachin| -g
             have presented the Gospel with results. A few have publicly con. ^
             fessed and some do so in private. Others have heard and know ^
             the Christ and have chosen against Him. But His Word will nevet n
             return unto, him void,     Glorious will be the realization of a widen'!
             spread acceptance of Christ.




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