Page 177 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat
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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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