Page 49 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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6 NEGLECTED ARABIA

Rev. F. J. Barny, newly returned to Bahrain, has compiled some very
apt comparisons between Bahrain of the early days when he first saw
it, and the present year. The signs of progress he notes are: the curb­
ing of the irresponsible power of the ruling chiefs, the safeguarding of
the poorer classes, the cleaning of the streets, the opening of roads for
aulu traffic, the building of a new custom’s pier, the drilling of artesian
wells, the importation of scores of newspapers and journals, the visit o(
ihe ruling sheikh to Kngland accompanied by his brother and several
ladies of their families; "all ihese," lie says, "point to the fact that w«
are living in a changing environment in Bahrain, and that change une of •
progress. »»

Mr. Barny reports good crowds at the Sunday morning Arabic scr*
vices, and a tine number of men and women at the evening song service.

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THE SHORE LINE. OF BAHRAIN

He has enjoyed his talks with dispensary patients and reports a gooj
work done in the Bible shop. It is with great disappointment that he
reports the loss of Ali, a very promising baptized convert, who sccim
to have been lost to the mission. He asks your prayers for him that lie
may return to his convictions and follow his Master. Two promisini
lads, by name Abdullah and Hamood, are coming regularly for Chribtu*
instruction. Abdullah has great difficulty in bearing the reviling
persecution he is subjected to, but Hamood has gone so far in braving tl*
talk of the public that he spends a great deal of his time selling portioo*
of Scripture and religious tracts among the people. Both need yog*
interest and prayers.
The report of the women's evangelistic work seems more like a metfe.
cal report than an evangelistic one. Rev. and Mrs. B. Hakken, who h*4
such high hopes and ambitions for their work in Arabia, were hamper^
by ill health at the start of the year. Mrs. Hakken had a surcc^ld
operation performed with rapid convalescence, but she arose from het •
bed to care for her husband who was suffering from kidney truulic
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