Page 275 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NEGLECTED ARABIA 11

ligious things not so much by any inner conviction that Islam is
c 011c true way to God as by the ties of Moslem society, A
ange in faith would mean the upheaval of their whole social life.
. . To so present Jesus Christ that they shall count all things
it loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Him is the hardest
irt of our task, and in this we crave your prayers/*
Mr. Hakken feels that the Bible instruction has been most encour-
fing this year. “The boys have taken a real interest, asking ques-
ons and discussing the lesson very freely. I have had boys come
> uie after school was dismissed to ask questions about the Bible
:**on of that day. It is also interesting to find them comparing
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"hriit's teaching in certain things with that of Mohammed with n<>
rumpling from the teacher. At other times they have'brought fur-
r«fd Mouuiumcd's teachings and have asked tuc what Christ taughi
a rcjfurd to these sume things. It showed that there was a mental
vxi(lict taking place and even though there was no actual spiritual • ^
joQvcrsion, a mental change was going on which we can only hope
tAil pray will bring forth fruit in the future.”
Every pupil in the^ Basrah Boys* School also received Bible in­
struction every day. Twelve Bible classes daily occupied the main
pLice in the curriculum, of which nine were conducted by Mr.
cilkert and Dr. Van Ess. The fruits of this work are becoming
■sore and more apparent. Dr. Van Ess writes “That Christ is enter-
teg into their thoughts is evidenced particularly at the meetings of
the Arabic Literary Society when His words are quoted and His
example adduced in many a speech and essay. Of visible results
which men so often esteem we may mention that three young men
professed to us their faith in Christ and received instruction, of
whom one was publicly baptized on October 9th, receiving the name
ct Abdul Fadi. He is a bold witness for His Master and continues
is school.”
Mr. Bilkert adds, “His growth in knowledge and m g .
been a delight to us all and his courage and zeal in w
hit Moslem friends have been something most admira •
baptized in the presence of about thirty people, most o
* bool boys and present by the special invitation of A fii leasecl
pelf. His parents live in Baghdad and are naturally mu to
with the step he has taken. But he is radiantly happy trnjncd as
*» all. It is his ambition and our hope that he may jea(j
an evangelist to work in Basrah, or wherever the way , .«
Vim. We believe he is only the first one of u number of
mho arc standing on the brink of decision. The vct7 '
Uplism caused not a ripple in the school, as far as:stir , g le?venPis t
lition is concerned, leads us to the conviction that taj.c
vurking' more effectively than we realize. Wc th.i

Will you not earnestly join your prayers with ours ^^J^^ools
mote boys and girls may come from Moslem home ^ tQ gjve
aad that as they are taught many things they J ^ surrendcr
ibeir hearts into the keeping of the Great leau
ibcir lives to His service?

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