Page 341 - Neglected Arabia (1916-1920)

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INews and Nates

Bahrein.
The summer in Bahrein has been better than the average, which
still may not be saying much in the way of comfort. A few days ago
the wet and dry bulb thermometers stood at 88 and 89 respectively,
and the day was not a scorcher, but a soaker.
One of our prominent men has lately married, or rather, has
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married once more, as this time he married for the seventh time. The
young lady was not a stranger, as she is a cousin of the first wife,
and they now live together in one house. But as though it were not
enough to have a husband in common, they also have a brother in
common, since at one time in history the mother of No. 7 was the
wife of the father of No. 1, and they are therefore sisters to the same
man, but not sisters to each other. Further, No. 1 is also a cousin to
her husband's brother. The latter gentleman is therefore her cousin
by birth, and her brother-in-law by marriage. He is also her foster-
brother, as they were both brought up by the same mother. He then
married his fostermother, and therefore became stepfather to the wo-
• man who already was his cousin, his sister-in-law, and his fostersister.
For the sake of simplicity she therefore calls him “my father.” W ho’s
who in Bahrein would not be easy to answer.
The other day a man took hold of a woman’s hand as she was
walking along the street. He was brought to the justice of the peace, I
who ordered two men to proceed to flog him. When last seen, two
tough canes had been worn out on him, and two new ones had been
substituted. If all real crimes were punished in proportion in this
city there would be a healthy reaction toward right living. But appar­
ently there is sin and sin, and what we would consider a crime is here
often accounted a virtue.
D.D.
Missionary Personalia

A cablegram received on Nov. 3rd announced the safe arrival at
Colombo of the outgoing missionaries. This party included Rev. G. J.
Pennings, Rev. and Mrs. G. D. Van Peursem and their children and
Miss Scardefield.
Rev. and Mrs. H. A. Bilkert and Miss Van Pelt sailed from
Seattle on Oct. 7, the necessary American Passports for leaving the
country and the British Permits for passing up the Persian Gulf and
residence in Arabia having at last been received.

Rev. and Mrs. John Van Ess are expecting to spend some months
in New York and vicinity after Feb. 1st, 1918. Many invitations await I
i them to visit churches and groups that are specially interested in the
work of the Arabian Mission.
l Miss Gertrud Schafheitlin is expecting to return to America on
her furlough in the spring of 1918.
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