sent them out, and to what Board they are responsible; and who buys them
new clothes of leather and cloth; and what happens to them when their
backs are bent with age and their faces furrowed with care, and when only
they themselves can read their title clear?

I think no one will have to help you guess my riddle or tell you that the
four missionaries who go about the most are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
and that the two ladies are Esther and Ruth. Now you have guessed that the
Little Missionaries are the Books of the Bible. Do you know how many there
are? How many in the Old Testament? How many in the New Testament? Perhaps
some of you know the names of _all_ the sixty-six! But it is not enough to
know the names of these Books that we have called Little Missionaries. We
must know what is in them, we must know the message they bear to this
sinful and troubled world. And we must all do our part to send out this
blessed message of peace, comfort, and eternal life. It may not be your
work to go to Arabia, but yet you have a work to do of one kind or another
for Arabia. The Bible must be sent there. And now may I ask all the boys
and girls who read this to pray for the Little Missionaries? Pray that
they may go ahead and prepare the way of the Lord all over this dark
peninsula, from the palm groves of Busrah to the harbour of Aden, and from
the sea of Oman to the unholy cities,--Mecca and Medina.

"Jesus, tender Shepherd
Thou hast other sheep
Far away from shelter
Where dark shadows creep.
Seeking Saviour, bring them home
That they may no longer roam.

"Jesus, tender Shepherd