Page 73 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

The Reverend Henry A. Bilkert

I T hart seemed fitting that in this issue of our quarterly, which
the intimate circle of those who are under-
goes out to
girding the work in Mesopotamia and Arabia with their ?
prayers and their gifts, there should be included not only the
report of the year, which had just been prepared, but also
some special mention of the late Mr. Bilkert, Secretary of the
Arabian Mission, who so tragically met his death on January
21st. Some of this material has appeared elsewhere but we
would assure ourselves that the readers of these pages shall not i
be denied this intimate glimpse of one who rendered so effective
a service during the eleven years of his ministry.
Mr. Bilkert was the real editor of this quarterly during the ! :
past three years. In his keen desire to enlist the interest of the {
home church in the work in his adopted land, he gathered the
material on the field and the editor at home has had the simple I
duty of preparing this material for publication. In every con­
tact which developed from this association we have come to a
deep appreciation of his never failing courtesy which made
cooperation so pleasant and his engaging frankness which led to
fullest understanding, llis breezy letters, brimming with good
cheer yet serious in their constant concern for the work which
was ever iimmrmutft in his I marl, will bn gruully miMaril,
Olliers liuvo served und are serving with all llic seal which
murked Mr. Bilkert. Our hearts gu out to the whole fuilhful
company who will feel this gup in their ranks us none of us can,
save his own immediate family circle. The manner of his death
has not added to the honor of his service save as it has brought
but one added proof of his Christian fortitude. But the start­
ling suddenness of his end has done something for us at home.
We grow accustomed to anything, however fine. The steady
work of a devoted pioneer mission through the years has be.
come part and parcel of our whole conception of the world­
wide work of our church. Sometimes we begin to plod, and a
little reflection or some tragic and dramatic occurrence, any­
thing which may raise the level of our vision, is needed to
quicken in us anew the passion which underlies our cherished ’
religion, the passion which drew Jesus to the cross, sent Paul
out through the highways and byways of the old Roman Km.
pire and which continues to thrust forth the fine young blood
of our church into all parts of the world. Some of us will tun,
to our part of the divinely appointed task with renewed viaor
and devotion because there has come this moment of quickened
vision in which we have seen things as they are.__Ed.

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