Over against this Divine call there appeared a great human difficulty: the fact that the church to which they belonged and owed allegiance conducted no missions in the Mohammedan world. The Mission Board of that church was already burdened with a debt of $35,000, and therefore it was improbable that they would establish such a work in addition to their other mission work. In spite of these obstacles, however, it was decided, February 11, 1899, to make formal application to the Board, and on May 23d the following plan was drawn up, and presented to the Board of Foreign Missions: “We the undersigned desiring to engage in pioneer mission work in some Arabic-speaking country, and especially in behalf of Moslems and slaves, do at the outset recognize the following facts: 1. The great need and encouragement for this work at the present time. 2. The non-existence of such mission work under the supervision of our Board of Foreign Missions at the present time. 3. The fact that hitherto little has been done in the channels indicated. 4. The inability of our Board to inaugurate this work under its present status. Therefore, that the object desired may be realized, we respectfully submit to the Board, and with their endorsement to the church at large, the following propositions: 1. The inauguration of this work at as early a time as possible. 2. The field to be Arabia, the upper Nile or any other field, subject to the statement of the preamble, that shall be deemed most advantageous, after due consideration. 3. The expenses of said mission to be met (_a_) by yearly subscriptions in amounts of from five to two hundred dollars; the subscribers of like amounts to constitute a syndicate with such organization as shall be deemed desirable; (_b_) by syndicates of such individuals, churches and organizations as shall undertake the support of individual missionaries, or contribute to such specific objects as shall be required by the mission. 4. These syndicates shall be formed and the financial pledges made payable for a term of five years. 5. At the expiration of this period of five years the mission shall pass under the direct supervision of our Board as in the case of our other missions. Should the Board still be financially unable, syndicates shall be re-formed and pledges re-taken. 6. In the meantime the mission shall be generally under the care of the Board ... through whose hands its funds shall pass. 7. The undersigned request the approval of the Board to this undertaking in general, and particularly in the matter of soliciting subscriptions. (Signed.) J. G. LANSING, JAS. CANTINE, P. T. PHELPS, S. M. ZWEMER.”