Page 206 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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NEQLECTED ARABIA

Missionary Nows and Letters
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Published Quarterly
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION AMONG THE FRIENDS OF
THE ARABIAN MISSION

The Third Milestone
By Rev. Samuel M. Zwemer, D.D.
I F Longfellow was right, we measure the long pilgrim journey of life
by the hearthstones rather than the milestones of the way behind us:
“Each man’s chimney is his Golden Milestone:
Is the central point from which he measures every distance
Through the gateways of the world around him.”
Three times since going out as pioneer to Neglected Arabia and the
neglected world of Islam in 1890, have we changed our “central point
from which to measure every distance.” First, Bahrein and the Persian
Gulf, then Cairo and the Near East, now Princeton—half way between
the two great cities of New York and Philadelphia.
When the call came to leave Bahrein for the larger opportunities and
wider tasks of the Nile Mission Press and the training of workers in
Egypt, the pull at our heart-strings was strong and we left Arabia with
many regrets at parting from the circle (then so small) of the mission.
; But as we look back over the seventeen years spent from Cairo as a base
i in travel and thought for the evangelization of the Moslem world, in the
; preparation of literature ami its circulation, in hclmutf forward In some
«imdl way the plans uf oilier plunccr uilssluiis In Africa and Southeastern
Europe—we are convinced that the call was of God. Once again—not
suddenly, but by a series of Providences and calls to service—we have
! moved our hearthstone to a new center where we humbly trust that God
will use us for the same task, although in another way.
, Forty years is a long period of time in the brief space of human life.
I The class of ’87 left Hope College and four of us, out of seven graduates,
l went to the foreign field. Dr. Peeke finished his course first, kept the
; faith and gained the crown. Those of us who are left must pass on the
torch, seek out successors, and gain recruits for the warfare that has no
end until the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of the Lord
and of His Christ. The time is short and there is still much to be done.
We must work while it is day. L
“And the graves of your friends are the milestones
To the land where all roads meet.”
The Arabian Mission was born in a Theological Seminary—born out
of due time—but looking back over these forty years Dr. Cantine and I
have no regrets that we chose so hard a field, and only joy in knowing that
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