Page 189 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

Circling Arabia
Ki:v J. Oscar Boyd, D.D.

This article appeared in the May number of the /»*/»/V Society
l\ccord ami we are presenting a part of it tu our readers because
we think it is so interesting that they will want to read this account
ui a sympathetic lull independent eye-witness of our Statimi- W e are
icmmded how closely allied is the work of the Bible Societx with that
of the Mission and that without the ready supply of the Bible in many
languages little evangelism could lie carried on. I)r. Boyd is the see-
ret ary for the Arabic-Levant Agency which includes our field in the
Persian iiulf area.—Lu.

A' T KAO 1 was hospitably received by a local Irak official, who
couldn’t do enough for us when lie found l was a friend of hi*
beloved teacher, Mr. Van Kss. And though a Mohammedan, be­
seemed to tlnnk only the more of me when he learned my business.
The most picturesque part of my journey was the nine-hour voyage
from Lao to Kuweit by “water-boom’’—a kind of native sailing buat
much like the pearl boats of the Dull. W e had a strong north wind,
and scudded over the waters of the Dull under our great spread of
canvas—two huge triangular sails, that first gleamed in the afternoon
sunlight, then purpled as the sun set in glorv over the Arabian coast
line, then loomed darkly under the starlight, while the Arab captain and
crew. their evening prayers finished, shared their rice amt mutton with
me in good fellowship. And, finally, the belated moon silvered the sail*
and turned the waters into magic, that explained perfectly why it wa*
that old Sinbad couldn’t stay home with his wealth, but must ever be otf
on new voyages down this gulf.

1>K. MYl.KK.VS lUNUAl.OW AT KTW KIT
Kuweit is a nominally independent Arab state under a Hrttish_ ,wii,icai
| l, was hard work ior the missionaries to get m there:
IK "the '‘Arabs are very fanatical. Hut the mission is well established
now. 1 lived with Dr. and Mrs. Mylrea. whom 1 had met in.Cairo; and
the workings of the hospitals at their end ot the town. 1 he medial
saw , i I .He a olace for itself. Unfortunately the evangelistic and
it ™ fooling. Thoy km . MM