Page 43 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NHGUiCTlil) AKAliJA .1

Muscat
As you travel up the Persian Gulf from India, one of the first stops
0f your steamer is at a town surrounded by bare rocks, possessing a
little harbor all its own, and boasting of an old Portuguese fort over-
looking the town itself. If you enter the town you will find it com­ !
posed of a large number of ruined buildings, a meagre amount of inhabi­
tants, and a quaint bazaar where you will be introduced to the famous
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Muscat candy, and be exposed to the glaring and penetrating rays of the
*un. Here you will find our mission station with its residences, its
chapel, and its small hospital. 1
Miss Lutton with her loyal servant Marash and his wife Miriam is 5
always found loyal to her task. She reports a Sunday Scfiool service i
numbering in attendance between fifteen and sixty-five, the majority of
them Baluchis, but among them in increasing numbers Arabs, to whom
>hc tells the message and sends them away with picture cards in their
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hands. Two mornings a week she teaches two pupils in the palace of
the Sheikh and at every sitting with them she reads to them a portion j;
of Scripture. Women come to her at her home to hear the message and !l
the truth about Jesus Christ. One cannot realize the courage of these i
mumen in coming to hear the truth unless one realizes what persecution
aiul criticism these women are facing in so doing. This is best expressed V
in the statement of one woman who came to her and, after hearing the
tcitimony of her faithful Christian servant Marash, said, “I am two-
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(iced; uuo when with you people, and another fueo when with my 1 J
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IKUiilc. The gun is loaded and rcudy for me the day I embrace Chris-
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lunity and leave Islam. My brother would not delay for a moment to
ibout me. I believe in my heart that Christ is the Good Shepherd, but
when with my people I am like them.”
Miss Lutton voices her thanks to all those who have a share in the
•urk of Christ among the Moslems. Her own statement—“I realize
lhat the intercessory missionary at home is quite as necessary as the
•urking missionary in the far-off field”—gives you all a part in the work
a which she is so faithful.
Without funds for the rent of a school building Rev. G. D. Van
Pcurscm went ahead with school work at his home and reports a daily .fc
mciidaiice of fifteen boys whom he is teaching the rudiments, of educa­
te and giving the Gospel at the same time. Among them-are some of
ibe brightest boys of the Koran school and one lad whose father, now
deceased, was formerly one of the strongest opponents of the mission in
Muscat. His daily program closes with the reading of a chapter of
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ibe Bible, and the singing of two hymns. Each boy takes his turn in
sailing a verse of Scripture.
Sunday services consist of a morning and afternoon service in Arabic
idl attended, and an English service supported by the English Consul's
ckrks and a few Moslems who understand English. Mr."Van Peursem
6inks the Board of Publication and Sunday School Work for their gift
J copies of the new Hymnal. Religious discussions are prevalent in
£c Book Shop, but the sale of scriptures and religious tracts are few
» number. Last year’s colporteur was forced to leave Muscat because
J health reasons but Barsoin has taken his place and is doing a
work. ,

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