Page 21 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NEGLECTED ARABIA
become available for civic improvements. Roads have been widened
and improved while others were laid where there was none before. The
most spectacular is a combined sea-wall, motor-road and promenade,
which extends for about half way along the city’s waterfront. This has
0nly just been completed.
but the greatest improvement of all, which extends to even the
humblest home, is the drilling of wells. The two main cities, Menamah
on this side and Moharreck on the other, are dependent for their water
jupply upon nearby springs, where it is transported in tanks or skins;
or upon marine springs, whence it comes in boats. In either case the
wider i» lirucki&h, Hut no matter how inferior, the cost uf drinking
water Ib an oppressive Item in the expense budget uf every home.
In a place where there are so many springs, the question easily obtrudes
itself, whether there might not be an easier way to get water, by boring
through the layers of rock. Both capital and machinery were lacking
to carry the idea into effect. But this work also was undertaken during
the past year, under the supervision of capable engineers, In case of
the first well, water was struck at a depth of some 200 feet, but.
unfortunately, the water is just as brackish as that of the springs.
On the other island, in Moharreck, the far more needy city as water
ib concerned, a flowing well of sweet water was struck at a much
smaller depth. To see the sweet water rise out of the ground right
i before their very eyes was such a miracle that for a week after it was
almost impossible to approach the well because of the crowds around it,
eager to see and taste the wonderful water. More wells are to be put
down so as to bring the water within reach of everyone in the city.
In all these improvements, in so far as they are substantial and for
the welfare of the community, the missionary rejoices heartily. Every­
thing that improves the living conditions of the people around us is a
great gain. But we must not deceive ourselves by thinking that the
cause of the Gospel has advanced by so much. Material. civilization
ind Christianity are not one and the same thing necessarily. These
very improvements may fill the hearts of the younger generation with a
kind of smug satisfaction, so that they will be more unapproachable than
ever. Certain it is, the gospel is needed as much as ever. Even in the
case of the small beginnings we have here, it is already patent how
painfully powerless Islam is to control the individual when he comes in
contact with the forces of material civilization.
Neither is it a case of discouragement. In Basrah, for instance,
where the impact of the West was even stronger than here, the number
of inquirers is greater than ever before. God is able to make His king­
dom come in spite of every obstacle, and in that confidence the mis­
sionaries will continue to give their message.

Editor's Note.—Careful readers of this journal may posssibly be accusing the
editor of nodding when they note the spelling oi the names of some of our sta-
uxu. The changes are made in accordance with instructions from the Mission
,hich has officially adopted the spellings which appear herein. These revisions
ife as follows: Bahrain for Bahrein, Amarah for Amaru, Kuwait for Kuweit,
Hujcat for Maskat.