0.3 FOREWORD

FOREWORD

Frequently after our lectures on the land and the people of the country of our Lord, people have requested us to bring together in a book some of the customs and thoughts and ways of these people that appear strange to us.

Palestine has changed very little since Bible days, the people are chiefly Ishmaelites and dress, eat, live and think as their ancestors did. They live this very primitive life because their parents and grandparents for a hundred generations have lived so.

They say, "Our father Abraham lived as we do, what was good for him is good for us; what was good enough for yesterday is good enough for tomorrow." A better understanding of their lives, their homes, their dress, their work and their ways of thinking will help us to comprehend many Scriptures that now appear strange. This small book contains nothing new, but brings together information on many customs differing so widely from those of our part of the world that we hope it will help Sunday School teachers and young people to a little better understanding of some parts of THE BOOK.

—BARBARA M. BOWEN