Page 418 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

XliGUiCWn .IK. I HI. I 7

I Dr. Lansing’s hymn is a challenge. The last siau/.a i* a prophecy:
"Till the desert sons now aliens
Till its tribes and their dominion*
Till Arabia’s raptured millions
Praise His love of them.”

Faithful Unto Death
Rev. G. D. Van Peuksem

L AST December there passed from our Mission circle in Muscat,
of whom the above title is a fitting description. This was an
one
Arab Christian, born and reared in Mohammedanism. When,
however, he saw the light that lighteneth every man that comelh
j,ilu the world, he purposed to walk in that light.
i Marash was one in whom weakness was made strength. 1 le had about
;|S many odds against him as any man ever had who renounced the religion
id his fathers to embrace another antagonistic to it. Although Marash was
i
Messed with a clear head, he had but a feather weight body. A deformity
,u the chest, due to an early fall, ever kept him from growing into strong
physical manhood. He belonged to the poor colored folk of the town, most
uf whom were as fanatic in religion as they were ignorant of any spiritual
conception. With so many odds against him, Marash could gain respect
diily through sheer honesty aiijLclear thinking. Some men in Arabia hold
\
their position by reason of their good looks, or because of their birth. Not
. mi Marash. Ilis Knighthood did not consist in anything external. His
was the strength of pure heart and a clean hand.
Twenty years ago Marash attended the Mission school. On Sunday he
was an attentive listener at the little Sunday School conducted by Miss
Pulton. As impression after impression did its work, lie soon became an
, inquirer and gradually left oil going to the mosque for prayers. In Ka-
inadhan he refused to keep the fast. This major sin could not-he left un­
punished, so the fanatic relatives threatened him with imprisonment and
»ieath, placing him in the employ of a Moslem. Hut his heart could not
lie set at rest until he returned to the Mission, lie placed himself under
instruction and in due time asked for baptism, 'file sacrament was ad­
ministered in the Muscat Mission Chapel in the presence of the few local
, Christians, including the British consul. Moslems were watching at the
windows, but nothing daunted this bright and cheery convert. His desire
was lo have it known that he now, once for all renounced Islam, and that
he had heart and soul embraced the religion of Jesus Christ. Prom that
day lie endured as a good soldier and kept his eyes fixed on the Master
until they closed in death.
The secret of Marash’s character is to he ascribed to his utter devotion
\ lu Jesus Christ. He was obedient to the will of God, whose lie was and
whom he served with gladness of heart. Through intensive Bible study
he drank deep from the fountain of Living Waters. He believed his Bible,
which as the sword of the Spirit he wielded with great agility. In prn-
ic.Nsing his new allegiance he was hold and unafraid. Whether in the fruit
lia/.aar, the hook shop or the mission chapel Marash never left people in
•luiilil as lu wliat lie believed. His message was clear and convincing to
.(II Iml llic closed heart. l never heard a Moslem asserl I hat Marash was