Page 367 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

NEGLECTED A KAMA 5
>uch a mission and inspired those who first sought to realize its hopes.
There is mure than one sad incident connected with our early days, hut
maddest of all was the death of Dr. lambing before he knew of the
assured success of this child of his heart. To the founder of the Arabian
Mission belongs the fullest meed of praise for the love he bore for the
children of Ishmuel and for the courage with which he met and over
cuiuc the initial difficulties. Another who gave unstintedly of time
and strength to the interests of the Mission was Dr. J. Preston Searle.
U|»un him fell the mantle of Dr. Lansing, and in those uncertain days
his reputation among the churches and his fine business ability cleared
from our paths many obstacles. And as the writer looks back to those
early days he always thinks most appreciatively of the loving sympathy
and broadmindedness of the revered Secretary of the Hoard, Dr. Cobb.
Always the friend of the missionary, his personality did much to ensure
their whole-hearted loyalty to the new regime, when the administration
taken over by the Reformed Church Hoard.
It is rather remarkable that the considerable number of our workers
nhu came from Church organizations other than the Reformed body
and who were most of them attracted to our Mission by its interdenumi
national basis, should have consented so unreservedly to its amalgama-
nun with the missions of our Church. It is a pleasing commentary
upon the reputation of our Church for brotherliness. Most or all of
those coming from other Churches, have now joined our communion
«iid there will be nothing but approval from the held at the full union
consummated.
IHiW
As one of those who, in the lirst years of the Mission, went about
soliciting contributions, the writer has a lively recollection of those who
came to our help from without the bounds of our own denomination ;
j.ui their number has been gradually decreasing and the actual fact of
union will not tend to diminish the Hoard's income from this source.
One scarcely knows how far the syndicate plan of support, adopted
In the Arabian Mission from the first, still obtains; but there is no
ioisuii why syndicates or indeed individual subscribers should relax
their efforts or withdraw their support. It was always on the field a
frc-it encouragement to note from year to year the same names reappear­
ing on the annual reports. Many were thus faithful until death and it is
to lie devoutly hoped that those who still remain our special fellow-
uurkers will find no reason in the recent action for withdrawal. 'Hie
needs not alone their financial support, but the yearly renewal
of faith and courage that comes from the knowledge of their continued
arrest.
If the union of the missions now consummated is a milestone in the
kiuory of the Arabian Mission, it should show not alone what is past
Pot it should point to what is to come. To the missionary in Arabia
i hill mean in the future closer fellowship with our fellow-workers in
lodu, China and Japan. It will also bring a feeling of closer union
•iih the life of our Church at home, and, please God, it will stimulate
» all to more faithfulness to our Master, mure love to all His brethren
a more ardent desire to help hasten the time when He shall see of
tbc travail of His soul and be satisfied.
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