Page 392 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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10 N/iCfJiCrr.l) ARABIA

gressive Bible study. We were gladdened by the arrival of Mr. Raymond
De Young, lie lives with the boys, eats with them, teaches them, is their
guide, counsellor and friend and is worthily upholding the standard set
by his predecessors. As regards equipment, the school playground was
greatly enlarged by filling and levelling, new swings, bars and trapezes
were set up and a gift of $2,000 received for the purchase of books for
the new Bilkert Memorial Library. The new year opens with a capacity
attendance, enlarged quarters and a loyal staff and the chagrin of having
already turned away more than 30 Moslem boys.”
Commencement at the Basrah Curl’s School marked a goal attained in
the lives of the graduates and a milestone for the missionaries. It was
the first commencement in the new building. Writing of it Miss Rachel
Jackson says, “The school girls had all been in the large kindergarten
room but before the program was half over they had all been cleared out­
doors and their places given to guests. Five, girls received diplomas, the
largest number we have ever graduated. Two of the girls were Moslems,
two were Christians and one a Jewess. 'The graduates embroidered mot­
!
toes for the auditorium as presents to the school and the one that touched
me most was the gift of a Moslem and read ‘Long live the American
Mission.’ It might easily have read ‘the Girl’s School’ but it certainly
made a deeper impression on us this way. Miss Kellien returned from
furlough in January and for the rest of the school year there were three
of us missionaries and five other teachers in school. With her presence
more classes were started with new subjects, a closer supervision was
given to existing classes and a greater efficiency was apparent. The art­
work drawing, designing, cross stitch work and handkerchief and scarf
dyeing were guided by Miss l)e Young and talent was brought out and
cultivated that we had not realized existed. She was also in charge of the
music and this year we miss her at the piano. One of the last events
of the school year was the farewell party for Miss De Young. It was .
arranged by the teachers and older girls and was a complete surprise to
her. The girls showed their love for her in speeches, songs and gifts.
Her presence in our school for two years was a blessing to all of us and
its influence will be a lasting one. We sow the seed in our daily Bible
classes and yet we are still waiting for visible fruits. We know not when
the day will be when we shall see our girls turning to Christ but we know
Him who has promised that His Word shall not return unto Him void.”
The year’s total enrollment was 117 and of these 57 were Christians, 44
Moslems and 16 Jews.
BAHRAIN Boy’s School has had considerable success this year from
a numerical standpoint and found it necessary to employ an additional
teacher, a Palestinian convert from Islam. Mr. Ilakken writes. "Never
in its history to my knowledge did we have more students enrolled. Be-
ginning in Octolier, 1929, with an enrollment of 36, there was steady in­
crease each month until in May, 1930, we had an enrollment of 76. This
large figure, however, was partially caused by troubles in the government
schools, but even before these troubles began we had reached the total of
71. Of this number about one fourth were Jews and Christians. 1 here
were two Hindus and the rest Mohammedans.” English instruction has
been the chief attraction this year as in the past. There is a greater and
greater demand for English in the Gulf and so the students come even
though it means they must listen to the Gospel every day. Bible work
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