Page 232 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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NEGLECTED ARABIA 15

We stood for a while reading and re-rcading the inscription and then
hastened to fulfill the task which we had come to perform. From the
abundance of the garden we gathered greenery sufficient to line all the
space enclosed by the grave’s coping stone. We had brought roses with
us, the gift of a dear friend, and these we scattered among the green. It
only Remained to drape the headstone with the Stars and Stripes and we
were ready for the service of dedication. As we waited for the rest of
the party to arrive we visited the graves of Harry Wiersum and Christine
Bennett. Dust had covered the horizontal slab over Christine Bennett's
i grave so that the inscription was illegible. We cleaned the stone with
handkerchief and paper and I could not resist the feeling that thus they
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were the better able to join with us in remembering our mutual comrade.
The party was now complete and we were soon gathered round Henry
? Bilkert’s last resting place.. It was a representative company and the
presence of the deputation from across the seas made it specially so.
There were present the deputation consisting of Dr. F. M. Potter, Dr.
W. J. Van Kersen, Rev. George Hulst and Miss Gertrude Dodd. The
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Rev. F. J. Barny represented the United Mission of Mesopotamia, while
J the members of the Arabian Mission included Dr. and Mrs. John Van Fss,
the Misses Ruth and Rachel Jackson, Miss Swantina De Young, Rev. and
Mrs. D. Dykstra, Rev. E. E. Calverley, Mr. Raymond De Young and Dr.
and Mrs, C. S. G. Mylrea.
Dr. Vuu Kernel], who hud conwntcd to tukc ehurgo of the service, com­
menced the dedication by removing the American flag from the headstone
so that those assembled now read the inscription for the first time. After
this we sang together, “For all the saints, who from their* labors rest.”
As the last triumphant notes died away, Dr. Van Kersen recited some of
those immortal lines which are so familiar to us, verses which grace every
Christian funeral and which give that marvellous combination of comfort
and victory which makes the Christian funeral unique, “I am the Resurrec­
tion and the Life.” How one longs that the Moslem people round us
could hear those words as Christians hear them! After the Scripture
came a prayer which will surely linger in the memory of all who heard it.
It summed up Henry Bilkert’s life, his message, his service, his consecra­
tion, his family, the Mission and the Churches, a truly beautiful tribute I
laid at the Master’s feet. We sang a second hymn, “Light of light, en­ ‘
lighten me,” and then in the sacred hush which followed its closing lines
came the Benediction, “The grace of our Lord Jesus .Christ, the love of i
God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” The fellow­
ship of the Holy Spirit, fellowship in life and death, in sickness and in
health, in Iraq and in America.
The ceremony was over and complete stillness once more settled down
over the little cemetery as we left the place in the now lengthening shadows,
left Henry Bilkert sleeping, sleeping in the company of his fellow mis­
sionaries, HarFy Wiersum and Christine Bennett. “Their works do follow
them. Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
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