Page 375 - Neglected Arabia Vol 1 (2)

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8 NliClMCTIil) AKA HI A
And perhaps the greatest appeal of all is the jjeople’s cordial reception
n» the Co.spel message. Compared with India they would not rank
as receptive soil, hut compared with the other parts of Arabia they
certainly do. One of the vivid memories of my early experiences in
Arabia comes from the mountainous hinterland of this Pirate Coast.
The strenuous day's work was over and the doctor who knew only a
very little Arabic was resting his bones and his disposition as well,
when a little company of the people of that town gathered in the room
and asked if they might hear over again the parable which had been the
lesson of the morning. “We knew you could not possibly do it during
the day when you have so many people to see, so we came now after
the day’s work is done.” That remained a unique experience until many
years later when 1 was in Debai, singlehanded and alone as far as
any other Christian was concerned. Sunday under such circumstances
is a day for as little medical work as possible. It is a day tor going
nut a few miles into the desert or along the coast, for quiet Bible study
and prayer, and tor joining in spirit in services that are hundreds and
thousands of miles away. But one day a thoughtful Arab of Debai
asked me “Isn’t it true then that you have religious services on Sunday?" j
•‘Yes,” I said, “we do have them then but the best l can do here all !
by myself is to go out and have a time of quiet prayer.” “I know,"
replied my friend, “we understand that too, but we wanted to ask if
sou would be willing to have a service this next Sunday so we can
come and listen.” Rarely in all my life have 1 felt so rebuked. There
was only one Sunday left, and nn church in America had heller lislcucn
lhail our little service iu Dehai.
It is not religious bigotry that has kept us out of Dehai and the
Pirate Coast so determinedly. Perhaps a hundred 11indu merchants lhc
there. They are allowed to maintain their temple with its sacred cowi
which are worshipped. I have myself treated two of these cows when
they were sick. We have been held off at arm’s length because of the
fear of western political domination. The door is opening now. li 4
man could be spared for the task there are many places where he could
settle at once, and with a little patience he could probably soon 1<
located anywhere he wished. Surely this is a time to pray that (iod will
stir us up to send out the men who are needed with the support ilui
makes their work possible; that He will put them into the place of Hu
own choosing, and through them reach out the arm of Omnipotent grace
and draw these superb men and women into the Kingdom uf Cod.

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