Page 213 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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XliCl.LiCTHP .IK. I HI.I ii

numerous inolorhus routes with which the country is now pretty well
traversed. In this way he has sold hundreds of tracts dealing with
the Gospel story. The only untoward incidents he reports was when
ju a visit to the shrine city of Kerbela, he was recognized a> a
"pervert" from Islam, beaten, and I expect narrowly escaped a much worse
fate. Once again not tar from Baghdad, the conveyance was stopped
by tribesmen and everything movable taken from the passengers, the
robbers giving the excuse that word had just come that the English
bad left Baghdad and consequently there was no more law. I have
been more than glad thus to get an idea of the value of this variety
of evangelism and hope to be able to make more and more use of it.
A sign of the times may be seen in the case of two men, one an
Arab and the other a Persian, both of fairly high position and educa-
, non, who have come saying that they are convinced of the superiority

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THE RIVER FRONT AT BAGHDAD.

of Christianity over Islam and wish our aid in journeying to some
other country where they would have more liberty and freedom. Such
can only be told that there is a cross as well as a crown in our faith.
A somewhat new element in our work is our contact with those of
the Jewish faith. Several men ha\e come for advice as to how they
might become Christians, but as seemingly they only desired to change
their outward religious status, I could only tell them of the legal
method which the Government has provided tor this purpose. Two
other young men, however, were regularly coming to me tor instruction
when I left Baghdad for my vacation. Our Mission has asked one
0f the large English societies working among the Jews to send a man
to our field. They replied that they were unable to do so, but would
be glad to give us a small grant.
On my return to the city I found the Protestant Congregation in a