The Washington times., 1904-10-30

inspiration of Abbas Enendi and accept
him ass the head of the faith.
Since the exile OF himself ana his fam
lily al Akin Abbas Emend has never
been allowed 10 depart FROM the iEpme-
date vicinity. Pie was confined u the
city itself for some time. but as years
passed the severity Of the Turkish gov
eminent relaxed and ne was given moro
and more freedom. Several years ago
he spent am entire winter at Haifa, in
Syria. nearly ten miles distant from
Aka. Although not allowed TO travel
among his followers in the different
countries, the master is in close touch
with them. and from time TO time sends
written precepts for their guidance and
encouragement Myron Fl. Phelps, OF
the New York bar has drawn a vivid
pen picture Of the daily life Of the head
OF the new church
Imagine me says, that We are iu
the ancient house of the still more an
ciens city Of Aka. which was for "a
month my home The room IN which
we are faces the opposite wall Of mar
row paved street. which an active man
might clear at q single bound. Above is
the bright sun of PALESTINE 10 the right
a GLIMPSE of the old sea-wau and the
blue Mediterranean. AS We sit We hear
a singular sound rising from the pave
ment. thirty feet below-faiHt al nFst.
and increasing II Is like the murmur
of human voices. We open the win
dow and look down. We see crowd OF
human beings with patched and tat
tered garments. Let as descend &c the
street and see who these are.
ut Is q noteworthy gathering. Many
Of these men are blind; many more are
ar
crutches. some are so feeble that they
can barely walk. Most Of the women
are closely yelled, but enough are un-
covered to cause us well 70 believe that
II the wells were lifted more pain and
misery would be seen Some Of them
carry babes with pinched and sallow
faces. There are perhaps a hundred i'm
this gathering. and besides, many chill
dren They are of ali the races one
meets in these streets-Sy rians Arabs
EthiOpians, and many others.
Friend Of the Poor.
These people are ranged against the
walls or seated on the ground, appar-
emily In an attitude of eXp=ctatOn-for
what do they wait? Let US wait with
them
we have not TO wait long. A door
opens and a man comes out. He is OF
middle stature. strongly built He wears
flowing light coIored robes. On his head
is a light bun feZ with a white cloth
wound about IT, He is perhaps sixty
years of age. His long gray hair rests
on his shoulders. His forehead is broad.
full, and high, his nose slightly aQuiliue, +
mis- mustache and beard, the latter
full though not heavy, nearly white.
His eyes are gray and blue. large. and
both soft and penetrating. His bearing
is simple but there is grace, dignity.
and even majesty about his movements.
He passes through the crowd, and as
he gees he utters words of salutatiOn.
We do not understand them, but we
see the beuignity and the kindness OF
MS cOuutenauCe.
He stations himself at a narrow
angle Of the street and motions TO the
people TO come toward him. They crowd
up a utJIe too insistantly. He pushes
them gently back and lets them pass
him one by one. AS they come they
hold their hands extended. In each
open palm he places some small coins.
He knows them all. He caresses them
with his hand on the face, on the
shoulders, on the head. Sume ne stops
and questions. An aged negro who hob
bIes up. he greets with some kindly in
quiry; the old mans broad face breaks
into sunny smile, his white teeth
glisteuing against his ebony skin as he
replies. He stops a woman with a babe
and fOudly strokes the child. As they
pass, some kiss his hand. To all he
says, 'Marhabbah. marhabbah'-.WeH
done, well douer
Loved by the Children.