Page 227 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NEGLECTED ARABIA

Missionary News and Letters
Published Quarterly
/
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION AMONG THE FRIENDS OF
THE ARABIAN MISSION

A Tribute to Mrs. James Cantine

T HE Arabian Mission held an impressive service1 in memory of
Mrs. James Cantine on November 6th, during the Annual Meet­
ing. Among other tributes to this pioneer of . women's work in
Arabia, the follo\*ing .impressive address was made by Mrs.
John Van Ess: 'i
We have gathered here to devote this hour to the memory of a much
loved friend and fellow-worker. Much as we esteem the qualities of
mind and heart which made Mrs. Cantine a notable missionary, I am
jure it is as a friend that we think of her first. Therefore it. is her
personality which we wish to commemorate to-night, that she may live
again in the hearts of us yrho knew hej*, and may in some measure bc-
cuine a reality to those younger missionaries who have not known her.
A Ycry brief biography will g[ivo her background, She wus a minis­
ter's daughter and became a minister's wife. She was an cfiicieut and )
ikilful trained nurse, and joined the Arabian mission in 1902 happy in
'. the anticipation of devoting her life to medical work for the women
of Islam. When later on she was obliged through circumstances to
give up full medical work, she became a devoted and successful evan­
gelistic worker, using her medical knowledge to do simple dispensary
work and to conduct village clinics.
I have never known anyone who so well fitted the description of the
old-fashioned word “gentlewoman" as Mrs. Cantine. Her loveliness of
character was well expressed in her outward looks—her beautiful blue
eyes, her distinguished and dignified bearing, and her gentle voice and
quiet smile. In her own home she was the most gracious of hostesses
and her hospitality knew no bounds. The most conspicuous instance of
it was when she took into her own home a young American who came
down with typhoid fever in Basrah. It was a most violent case and
but for her devoted nursing he would never have survived it. He is but
one of many, all over the world, who recall with pleasure the atmosphere
of that serene and well ordered home, whether their stay in it was of an
hour’s duration or for many weeks.
Her bravery was one of her most conspicuous characteristics. Again
ind again, over a long period of years, Mrs. Cantine was visited with
most terrific physical handicaps, and accepted and overcame them with
nliance and serenity of spirit—until this last gallant struggle, in which
the overcame the last great enemy, Death. She faced ill-health with what
- might be called constructive resignation. I have never heard her com-