Page 188 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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Id XIMUiCTIM A KAMA
In spite of the old tradition that these j>eo|>lc shall not be trained in the
arts of reading and writing, a school has been established at Baidri (a
large Yezidi center). liven the custodian of the shrine has his son in a
Christian school in Mosul, while the Beg of Sin-jar has consigned the
care of his four children to our mission schools, not averse to their growing
up in the Christian faith. Once education has gained a foothold it is
difficult to believe that they will continue to cling to these old ideas and
confusion of beliefs. The door of these 500,000 survivors is not only
upen but nailed open. Time and time again the Macedonian cry comes for
us to open schools in these villages, but for want of workers and funds
we are obliged to say no. During the last winter an offer came from a
Danish Mission to the Yezidis that we coofierate with them in opening
educational work. They offered to support a teacher in any village of our
choosing. It was not hard to find a village, for the calls were many, and
our mission has secured a native teacher who, for years, had a desire to
minister to the Yezidis. This at present is our meagre contribution to this
great field.
May our churches hear the cry, feel the need, and send forth laborers
Into the harvest.______________

For You and Me
N ()T so long ago one of the missionaries visited towns up one of .
the rivers where for quite a time we had not visited regularly,
lie inivdnl iii it iiintur Imuivii, wliivli wim u wonderful inipruvu*
incut nil the iraiiHportatiun of former years. Only, much to the
chagrin of captain and crew, as well as to the disappointment of the
passengers, when about half the distance to our destination the propeller
dropped off to the bottom of the river. When, however, we finally arrived
and were settled in the inn, the chief-of-police and the judge of the courts
invited us to dinner together with the governor of the place. We spent
a pleasant evening; and especially so because we discovered that there was
opportunity to talk about spiritual things.
At another town a man came to sit and talk with us. And said he,
“Why do you not bring us a physician and open a hospital; and why do
you not open a school here? We want these things here .as well as" the
other towns that have them." This, too, was pleasant to hear. There are
quite a number of places where we are persuaded they would welcome us
it we could live with them and bring them these good things. And from
far away, from the station farthest south, we have the news that the
country is again opening up for missionary tours; and that the people
welcome the missionaries.
And so there are quite a number of encouragements in different parts
of the field.
But if we are to tell you everything, we must also report the dis­
couragements. The missionaries are greatly concerned because a few of
ihe men who had professed conversion and who had lived with
Christians for some years, have now denied Christ and have gone back to
Mohammedanism. Several of the promising inquirers have also deserted
and have gone to be lost again in the crowds who disregard the Message,
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