Untitled - St.Francis Magazine

St Francis Magazine Vol 8, No 2 | April 2012 Soof 110 17 1 - Uryaan 40 7 - - ElHusn 350 30 1 1 (Archive ref: CM/O.36) The third report by the now priested Revd. Chalil Jamal is from his first days in Salt, written to CMS in Jerusalem and dated Jan. 1879. It describes the establishing of the organisation of his parish in a pattern that continues to this day: As soon as I was settled here I approved a Majlis Ichtiyaria (Church Council) to meet once every fortnight or whenever there is an occasion for their meeting together to settle the affairs of the congregation with me... (Archive ref: CM/O.36) The next report by the Revd. Chalil Jamal is dated Nov. 29th 1879. It includes his observations of life in Salt, and of visits to members of the community of Fuheis who are seeking to become Protestant. Salt is famous for its grapes. There are upwards of 1800 vineyards. It is a blessing that wine and Araki (a kind of strong and intoxicating drink) are not known to the Salti people. The grapes that are not consumed fresh are either made into raisins, or pressed and the juice is made into dibs (honey) and milban (a kind of sweet meat), and these are stored against the winter. The Lord has graciously opened a way for the preaching of His Gospel in El Fuheis (a village about one and a half hours to the South East of Salt. This is a Christian village). Some three months ago, I received more than two invitations from heads of families there, to go and make them Ingleez (English) as they say. I repaired thither twice with Mr. Behnam and Hanah Effendi Kawar and spent three nights with them. I spoke very earnestly and 308