Page 315 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

f

XliCLUCTEI) . IE. I HI.-I II
Thoms, Mrs. Jessie Vail Bennett, Kathrina and Ruth Zwemer, Lydia-
the first woman convert in Arabia—and a good many officers and
>uilors of the British India Steamships. The most unique experience in
Bahrein was the motor ride which took us out to the mounds, now in
process of excavation, and we felt grateful to the donors of the Hospital
!
Ford, which has been truly a God’s send to the workers, as well as
to their guests. The missionaries in Bahrein laid great stress on the
need for a hospital for women, a need that is now being met by gifts
I from home as well as on the field!
Twenty years ago no missionaries were allowed lu locate in Kuweit, !
and the colporteur hud been put to sea in an open boat shortly before
; we were in Arabia. What a contrast now in the two good hospitals,
f two excellent missionary homes and three rented buildings .coupled with
jjrcat friendliness of the sheikhs of recent years. But not all fanaticism
has yet died down, as I realized when Dr. Mylrea showed me a bullet
hole in the wind-shield of Miss Scardetield’s automobile, made by a
>hut tired at Dr. and Mrs. Mylrea which mercifully passed between
them and went through the glass!
Snow had fallen the day of our arrival in Kuweit, the first our mis­
sionaries had ever seen there and enough to freeze some ice-cream
which delighted not only the Calverley children, but also those of older
growth! Dr. Calverley and his daughter Grace were just recovering
front typhoid, Miss Scardefield was desperately ill and Miss Strong was
in India on sick leave, and yet Kuweit is looked upon as probably the
healthiest of our stations in Arabia.
The Basrah Compound was teeming with life and it was an inspiration
to see the boys of Dr. Van Ess’ school in their class rooms and to
visit the girls’ schools in Basrah and Asliar which proved the need of
a good building for the Basrah Girls’ School, which will be provided
hy the Jubilee Fund of the Woman’s Board. But alas, the beautiful site
,ui the Creek that they hoped for costs more money than they can spare
from the Building Fund.
A short trip in the “Milton Stewart” motor launch showed the great
ingenuity of Mr. Dykstra in utilizing every inch of room for storing
away the necessities for their river evangelistic cruises.
A cold and dreary railroad trip of about thirty-six hours took us from
Basrah to Baghdad, where we found Dr. and Mrs. Camille ensconced
iua comfortable native house and saw the rooms where Dr. Cantine had
interviewed many inquirers and given out many Christian books and
filets. Dr. and Mrs. Grenfell had been in Baghdad just before us and
l)r. Grenfell has quoted Bishop Gwynne as saying that “the stone wall |
oi Mohammedanism is being undermined by loving deeds and Christ's
Spirit in illuminative lives.” Our own Dr. Zwemer gives it his belief
iluii we are “at the dawn of a new era—that the political sway of
1,1am is broken, that freedom of thought and conscience is spreading
m Moslem lands and that unquestionably there are many secret disciples
„f Jesus Christ.” All honor to our brave Arabian pioneers, who are
preparing the way for the coming of The King!