Map of Iraq

Editor’s note—The yellowed map of Iraq clipped out of newspaper was discovered in Mrs. Forrest’s Bible. We had no idea of its significance until we read the following excerpt from her weekly radio program notes dated June 1, 1941.

“The home of Abram and his father Terha, was Ur of the Chaldees. How many of you noticed the war map on the front page of the Atlanta Journal last night? It was a war map of the near East, and the notation that the ‘British troops fighting in Iraq had reached Baghdad’s suburbs and pushed northward from Basra to occupy Ur,’ which is the birthplace of Abraham. The Gentile nations are certainly gathering around the Holy Land. In the New Testament we read, ‘When ye shall see all these things, know that He is near, even at the door. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh’ (Luke 21:28).”

Mrs. Forrest’s radio program was broadcast each Sunday afternoon from 3 to 4 p. m. over WRLC in Toccoa, Georgia. People through Northeast Georgia and South Carolina wrote regularly to tell her how much they enjoyed hearing her.

Both of us slept late this morning. It has stopped rolling for the first time since we struck the ocean. Perhaps that is the reason we did not hear the breakfast bell. The stewardess very kindly sent us breakfast even though it was late.

I unpacked the trunk and put on my blue dress for lunch. Sent the brown one and Richard’s suit to be pressed for the Captain has invited us to tea in his cabin at 4:30 p.m. During lunch, a heavy fog settled over us and the boat had to slow down and sound a warning whistle every few minutes. It became very dense, and the Captain had to postpone his tea party because he was needed on the bridge. The fog lifted about six and we passed some immense icebergs. They certainly looked ominous. Remember the Titanic.

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Friday, May 16, 1930
On the Atlantic — S.S. Andania

Fog and rain of last night is repeated again today. It is a little warmer than yesterday. We seem to have passed beyond the arctic current and out of danger from icebergs now.

Although the fog is pretty heavy the Captain held his “tea party” today and we had a very enjoyable half an hour over our teacups before the hurried summons to the bridge brought it to an end abruptly. An officer in a dripping-wet slicker saluted the captain said, “Your presence is needed on the bridge, sir.”

Dressed in my brown evening dress, blue beads for dinner, and the musical concert tonight. It was very much enjoyed by all the first class passengers as well as those in the tourist cabin. Then I read until midnight.

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Saturday May 17, 1930
Andania in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence River

It was so foggy that we had to stop from 2:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. Then it was daylight, but we could proceed only by great blasts from the fog whistle every few minutes. In 114 days we have covered 26,699 miles—by water 18,186 miles. On land we have traveled by auto and train 8, 219 miles and by air 294. The average has been 228 miles per day. We have been in countries run by 20 different governments. Passed through 16 different tribes in Africa (of which there were five French colonies—Guinea, Ivory Coast, Haute Volte, Soudian and Senegal).

The sun is shining now, the fog has lifted and we are steaming ahead full speed. Now in the St. Lawrence River the scenery is wonderful. Wrote many cards and letters.

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Sunday May 18, 1930
Andania in the Gulf of St. Lawrence River

No Service today and everything is full of bustle and expectancy. We are to reach Quebec about 1:30 p.m. A letter from J. D. Williams announces the death of Dr. W. M. Turnbull by auto accident. This is certainly a very strange providence—one of the mysteries we will never be able to understand until we meet Jesus face to face.

Spent most of the day in the lounge reading. The scenery is beautiful on either side of the river the snow-covered mountains lift up to the sky—their heads high above the peaceful river. The quaint little villages are nestled in among the hills.

6:00 p.m. We went ashore at Quebec and enjoyed an auto ride. Sailed again about 8:00 p.m.

In the Lower Admiralty Group near Lost Channel, St. Lawrence River, Canada

It was very rough all night. We did not have a storm but she [the ship] is just out of dry dock and has practically no cargo, for she did not have time to load. Therefore, we are rolling and tossing around like an eggshell. Not a very bright prospect if we are to have nine days of this. Richard woke early and had me ring for our breakfast at 7:00 a.m. The stewardess came and told us it was early, we should have turned our watches back one hour and forty minutes last night. We had but he was hungry. She brought them at 8:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m. We attended service upon deck A. The rest of the day we spent quietly reading. I forgot the “life belt drill” at 11:30 a.m. Many are seasick. We went to bed early for it was still very rough.

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Monday, May 12, 1930
S.S. Andania

Richard got up for breakfast this morning, but I had mine served in the cabin. Our cabin is so small it is impossible for us both to dress at the same time. It is still very rough so I am not going to bother about opening the trunk. I will wear this same dress all the way across if it keeps on like this.

We spent the whole day reading. I finished The Golden Land and started on Aggrey of Africa. It is such a large volume—will take some time to finish it. The only time I stopped reading today was to eat lunch and dinner. Went to bed early. Many are still seasick and have never been in the dining room at all. We are both well.

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Tuesday, May 13, 1930
Atlantic Ocean, Andania

This boat would take the prize in pitching and rolling. It is almost impossible to walk straight or dignified. Suddenly we go fast and then slow. We found a quiet room today where “no smoking” signs keeps most of the people out and we spent the entire day reading. Both read All Quiet on The Western Front, and I started Cimarron by Edna Farber.

It has certainly been a real treat to read all day without interruption except for lunch and dinner. They had a “Carnival Dinner” tonight and all who were able to get to the dining room were very happy and gay. The people at our table are very congenial. Mr. and Mrs. Hill, Miss Galloway, another Miss, who has only appeared once, and Mr. and Mrs. Iris.

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Wednesday, May 14, 1930
On the Atlantic Andania

Breakfast of grapefruit, eggs, toast, and coffee served in my cabin. Then another good hot salt bath and I am ready for my book and easy corner. Finished Cimarron before I slept. Richard says he has read five books already. I thought it was rough yesterday, but this is the worst since leaving Glasgow. Many are seasick again today. So thankfully, we have both escaped thus far. I do not think there is any danger for us now, as long as she keeps right side up! It has rained a part of everyday since we left.

Andania

This is sailing day. Praise the Lord! We will both be so glad to get home. After breakfast, we packed our things and I wrote a few letters and cards. Richard both wrote and called his mother. Then went to see the American Consulate about our passports. He says they are all right for Canada, U.S. or anywhere in the world.

2:00 P.M. we went out to Paisley again, took some pictures of the Lindsay family. Then they spread a wonderful “High Tea” for us and three of them came all the way back to Glasgow with us and over to the boat. They wanted to go aboard and see our cabin. But they were not permitted to do this on account of the great crowd there to see the football boys off. All aboard the Andania!

Andiania, the boat Richard and Evelyn Forrest took from Scotland to Canada

It was a White Star Line ship the same as the Titanic!

Andania

Had another fire this morning for it was still cold. After breakfast at 9:30, we went for a walk to the castle; from there one has a good view of the city. There were many things of interest at the castle, especially the room in which Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James, who later became James I, King of England and who gave to the English speaking world the King James Version of the Bible. This room with the prayer of John Knox for the infant remains as it was the day he was born.

1:00 p.m. Left Edinburg for Glasgow arriving there at 2:02 p. m. After seeing our baggage safely deposited in the George Hotel, we started out to find Paisley and the mail from home. Went out by bus; it was not a long ride. Found the Lindsey home at 134 Lockfield Rd. without any difficulty. They live in a very pretty new suburb. The houses are built mostly in flats with very attractive yards—filled with flowers, evergreens, and rock garden plants in full bloom. Mrs. Lindsey and the two children James and Neal were the only ones at home. Mr. Lindsey and his two sisters were at work. We arranged to go return tomorrow about 2 or 2:30 to see them.

The mail was a shock, two letters from Lorene, a card from Edward Gilmer, an Easter card from Matilda, and a cable from Kelly announcing the death and burial of Father Forrest on April 14. Mother has gone to Chicago. We cannot understand why they waited so long to let us know. Leaving Paisley we went at once to Bells Hill to see if we could find Theresa’s grandmother and Aunt Margaret. The grandmother, Mrs. Bullock had moved to 33 Gleeb Street. She was happy to see us and wanted to make tea but we declined for we had already enjoyed “high tea” with Mrs. Lindsey.

Mrs. Bullock took us to see Aunt Margaret. Her husband has been out of work for months and Aunt Margaret is supporting the family by her leather handcraft work. She gave us a purse to take to Theresa. When we reached the hotel it was about 8:30 p.m. and we were very tired. Immediately after dinner, we went to bed.

6:45 a. m. This is rather early for the “Honeymoon” but we must get up and pack, for we leave England today.

10:00 a.m. Promptly the train moved out of the station and we are off to Scotland. It is more like April than May, first sunshine then rain all along the way. The fields are so pretty and green and the gardens growing beautifully. Everybody has plenty of rhubarb. Arrived in Edinburgh right on the dot 6:15 p. m. Had to have a fire started in our room it was so cold. We are stopping at the North British Station Hotel. After a good dinner, Richard went for a walk and I am keeping up with the fire. Wrote letters—one to father and mother Forrest and one to Miss Haldeman & etc.

Postcard of where the Forrests stayed

9:45 a.m. Breakfast. Richard went again to consult with Dr. Cochrane, and I unpacked to find all the soiled laundry. Sent his suit out to be pressed. Then did a little writing. Immediately after lunch we went to the British Museum. [We] saw one of the three oldest copies of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures another is in the Vatican at Rome and the third in Russia.

The Egyptian mummies were queer, interesting things; one could spend many days examining just the old relics from Egypt, to say nothing of Syria, Assyria, the Hitttites and all the other “ites.” But we must learn it all and hurry back to the hotel.

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Wednesday, May 7, 1930
London, England

9:30 a. m. Breakfast, there certainly is a contrast between the breakfasts here and at [Paris]. Richard went out to look after tickets for we are leaving London early in the morning, and I did the family wash. After lunch, he went out again and I went to the ladies writing room and wrote Lorene, Sue, and the Greenville Bible Class. After dinner we took a long walk and as usual it began to rain before we returned. It certainly rains easily here in London. It has been very cold and unpleasant all day, in fact nearly ever since we landed here. Landed is the proper word, for we came from the clouds.

Breakfast 9:30 a.m.
Walked all the way to the office of Dr. Thomas Cochrane. He rec’d us most cordially and after much talk of the situation in Ivory Coast with Maps and etc, he took us with him for lunch. Walked all the way back stopping at various book stores trying to find “Buber and Black” [The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography].

Went to Victoria Hotel for mail or cable but did not find either. After dinner went to bed for it was too rainy to go out on the street when it was not necessary.

Found a comfortable and inexpensive room at the Regent Palace Hotel. 4.X.Y

Breakfast 10:00 a.m. Metropolitan Tabernacle or Spurgeon’s . . . Heard a good sermon with no taint of Modernism. After lunch we visited St. Paul’s Cathedral then [we went] to Westminster Abbey, the place was packed—every foot of standing space was taken. The Arch Bishop of Canterbury read the Scriptures. A young man preached a splendid sermon on “Whom do men say that I Am?” John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The world today needs a living personal Christ.

Could not sleep late this morning for we must pack up and get ready to fly. Mr. Bowman came promptly at 9:00 a.m. Richard went out with him for that conference . . . I did the packing and finished some letters for Africa. Mr. Bowman had lunch with us.

1:45 p.m. – We left the central offices of Great Britain Imperial Air Service in the big bus for the Aerodrome.

2:45 p.m. – We left the ground and were off for London. There was no unpleasant sensation in taking to the air. The seats are as comfortable as an easy chair at home. The view is wonderful, on, on we go, in a few minutes after leaving the ground we are flying 80 miles an hour and we do not feel as if we are going fast. Much of the time, we were making 90 miles an hour. At first, the sun was shining brightly and we could see the whole country below us, beautiful green fields and well-prepared soil ready for the planting, like a well-kept garden. Village after village disappeared as we flew on our way. A RR train beneath us looked like a small toy.

Finally, we could see in the distance a bank of white clouds and our pilot climbed another kilometers up and now between three and four kilometers. Up in the air. Soon the fleecy white clouds are rolling beneath us like great billows of cotton. By the time we reached the English Channel we are flying through the clouds. They are above, below, and all around us. Only dimly can we trace the shoreline. Now above, the sun is shining through a rift in the cloud. Below, we see a great steamer plowing through the water. It looks like a tiny toy boat. The sun has pierced the clouds below and a patch of gold glows and sparkles beneath us as the great ship nears the other shore.

Now, we are flying over England, and the fields spread out beneath us like a crazy patch work quilt with patches of every size and shape. Beautiful fruit orchards in full bloom and the trees look like small pot plants. We are flying over a landing field—how smooth and inviting it looks, but we do not land there. We are still forty or fifty miles from London. Richard has written some cards up here in the air but I am busy looking.

5:00 p.m. – Two hours and fifteen minutes later and we are circling over the landing fields of London. The red lights are flashing from the tall dome of a large building to guide the big ship down to safety. Three times we circled the field. Now, we are on the ground and running towards the buildings, the field is muddy. It is raining down here. Soon, we are through customs with our baggage and in the bus headed for the central station. “So, this is London?”