Foreign Mission Board Rooms
May ii, 1950
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at lirOO p.m.
on Thursday, May
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lSJi?0 with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Rev. Elmer West led in prayer.
Present: L. Howard Jenkins, Clyde V. Hiekerson, Herman P. Thomas,
Hill Montague, Levering Evans, J. G. Loving, Elmer West, Emmett Y.
Robertson, Garis T. Long, T. Rupert Coleman, John C. Williams, M.
Theron Rankin, Baker James Cauthen, Everett Gill, Jr., Frank K.
Means, S. E. Maddox, Fon Scofield, L. P. Seay, Genevieve Greer,
Edna Frances Dawkins» '• L. ->;ane.
On motion of Dr. Loving the following candidates were appointed, six
as regular missionaries and one as a contract worker:
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Carl Bell, Brazil
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dean Gullatt, Japan
Miss Mary Frances Page, Nigeria
Miss Alma Hazel Rohm, Nigeria
Miss Mary Virginia Hill (Contract Worker), Nigeria
Dr. Rankin gave the charge to the new missionaries and Dr. Coleman
led in the prayer of dedication.
Dr. Rankin gave a brief report, emphasizing particularly the coming
meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Dr. Long read the following report from Dr. Sadler:
A recent journey took me to eastern Arabia, Israel and Italy. I went
to Bahrain and Muscat to investigate possibilities of our missionaries'
getting a foothold in Arabia. Gracious hospitality was extended me by
representatives of the Reformed Board under whose sponsorship
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two
couples are now studying in Arabia.
An outstanding characteristic of this region, from the missionary point
of view, is the slow progress of Christianity. Dr. S. M. Zwemer, Dr.
Paul Harrison and Dr. Van Ess, three of the abest and most devoted
missionaries of this generation, labored in this field for many years
vdth only meager visible results. It is quite possible, of course,
that their successors will reap rich harvests.
One of the most encouraging aspects of my visit was the report that
there were sixty believers in Muscat. That seemed a small number
after a period of more than fifty years of medical and evangelistic
effort. At the same time, it was the largest congregation of ex-
Moslems of whom I had heard. Ahe sad sequel is that the success of
Christianity has resulted in its persecution. The Sultan of Oman is
indifferent, but his fanatical advisers from the interior have influ¬
enced him to adapt measures which have led to repression.
At the time of
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visit, no opening for our special project had been
found. However, Dr. W. W. Thoms, of Muscat, suggested that our group
might take up residence and begin business in a region on what is
called the Trucial coast - between Muscat and Bahrain. That move is
in abeyance until further investigation can be made.
It is interesting to observe that the Moslem rulers who have had the
services of missionary doctors have a decided preference for them
over other physicians to whom they pay large salaries. At the same time,
there is such strong prejudice against Christianity that it is fre¬
quently difficult for the missionary doctor to find opportunities to
serve the people who desperately need his ministry.
From Bahrain, I retraced my steps to Cairo and proceeded by way of
Cyprus to Lydda. Aiere I was met by several of our missionaries who
took me to Nazareth. In that sacred city, near Mary's will and not
far from the s ot where the Mazarene "grew in wisdom and stature",
I remained several days. Much of this time was spent with our mission¬
aries discussing strategic approaches to both Arabs and Jews.
It is remarkable that in Israel Baptists have a better name than have
Christians in general. That pnemonenon is explained by the facts that
