Page 279 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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c NEGLECTED ARABIA U

Sheikh's companions. Among the most honored guests at this affair
were the missionaries whose friendship is greatly prized by these
import*11* Arab families.
Mrs, Van Ess found it easy to renew old friendships after her re­
turn from furlough and has been especially interested in getting
acquainted with the families of the boys in the Boys' School. And
to it has gone, friendly visits having been made to hundreds of
homes in each of our stations during the year. A fair number of
these visits are returned and the Arab women enjoy seeing the
missionaries in their own homes. In Bahrain a weekly “at home”
day has been held regularly for all visitors who may care to drop in.
The Bible shops in all the stations, presided over by native Chris­
tian colporteurs, have continued their work of selling books ami
Bibles, In April twelve hundred persons visited the Basrah Bible
ihop. These shops have given the Moslems the opportunity of
reading^religious and secular Jiterature and in the Amarah shop
leaders have stayed till quite late at night. Religious discussions
kave taken place frequently in the different shops. Kass Yesliua,
ihc Basrah colporteur," “has developed a technique in controversy as
veil as a patience little short of marvelous.” A faithful worker was
Voat in the sudden death of Bersom, the Muscat colporteur.
Iu Muscat, after a disastrous fire which wiped out many homes,
ik« MUtlou helped to relieve the distress of the sufferers, In
[- Basrah helpfulness was expressed in terms of quilts and warm gnr-
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| . »tuti for the city’s poor during the winter’s cold. In these and
i other ways friendship has been given unstintedly to the Moslems in
1 tfca hope that through it they may see Christ their greatest Friend.

Organized Work
The organized work has been carried on without interruption .
throughout the year. Four stations held regular morning chapel
prayers in Arabic; five Sunday Schools have been maintained; and
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a every station and the out-stations regular Sunday preaching ser-
ikcs have reached hundreds of Moslems. Two stations have con­
ducted weekly prayer meetings for women. Evening receptions for
Moslem men and the use of the Baloptican with Bible pictures have
tl*o been fbund helpful.
A number of inquirers are reported in the different stations and
vt ask for intercessory prayer in their behalf that they may be able
to withstand ostracism and persecution and that they may boldly
confess their faith in Jesus Christ. We would also remember our
Uithful converts, shining as lights in a great darkness. Marash,
tfcuugh standing alone in Muscat (except for his wife), nevertheless
Ws been bold enough to take charge of chapel services in the ab-
icace of Mr. Van Peursem. The little band in Amarah remains
Uithful, and there are those in other stations. All these brothers \
wA sisters in Christ need your earnest prayers.

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