Page 63 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (3)_Neat

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NEGLECTED A KAMA U

lady workers. They are also planning a large play and recreation ground
for their pupils. They ask for your prayers for their work.
The Basrah Boys’ School is more popular than ever and has refused
over seventy-five applicants for admission in the year just begun Last
year’s average attendance was IS in High School, 72 in the Middle
School, 34 in the Primary, and 60 in the lilemeutury School a total \
average ulteiulimcc of 1H1. Of this 110 were Moslems, 22 Jews •!')
Cltriitlluns. At the opening of the new year the enrollment was lot
t
Moslems, 31 Jews, and 56 Christians, total 196.
In March three boys were given diplomas, two of whom went into
business and the third is teaching school. Two boys were expected to
continue their studies until July, 1926, when they would have completed
» course whose standard is in advance of any previous cla^s graduated
However, only one returned this year. The most advanced class at
present consists of seven boys who expect to graduate in July, 1926. One
of these boys has been promised a position on the editor’s staff of die
daily paper of Basrah, having done some work for that paper during
his vacation. The present schedule of courses of the school is up to
requirements for admission to the college department of Beirut Univer- ; i
»ity with the exception^ courses in physics and chemistry. A com­
mittee of friends of the school and of Dr. J. Van Ess in Basrah is at
present raising a fund set at Rupees 7,000 for a gift to the school to be
uxxl in the purchase of laboratory equipment and lantern slides and
machines. ,
The gratifying part of the 'school work is the interest the boys show
in the Bible courses. The boys are just as keen about promotion in
these courses as they are in the secular branches. Personal conversation
•ith some of them shows a definite interest and belief in the Truth of
Cod's Word, but none have yet gathered courage enough to confess
Christ as their Saviour. • ?

Amarah :
One hundred and thirty-two miles from Basrah up the Tigris river
juu will find a small city surrounded by a number of beautiful date r-
. prdens and possessing a river front of brick houses all built on the
amc general plan of architecture. Amarah shows a marked degree of
European influence since it was the hospital headquarters of English
truops during the late war, but you will still find it full of ignorance,
fanaticism, and religious bigotry. Here you will be introduced to the
minion launch which carries the missionaries on tour throughout the
unrounding districts. Here also you will hear about and perhaps meet
j >unic of the ruling Sheikhs of the surrounding districts many of whom
; U\c their own residence in the city of Amarah.
Kcv. D. Dykstra, in charge of evangelistic work in Amarah, Nasiriya,
itA the surrounding district, reports a very encouraging year. The
.\fiurah Bible shop reports a large sale of scriptures and pamphlets, and
*a average attendance in the shop of 175 daily, many of them being
jibing men. Sunday services were held in the home of the missionaries
■nh an attendance of between 20 and 30 each Sunday, and many of
£u>c who attend come regularly and take part in singing and Bible
lulling as well as listen to the message. On Sunday evening a religious