of the wildest of the
Koordish mountains. The village of Memikan, selected for the
station, lay on the southwest base of the great Jeloo mountains.
That village was preferred to the larger ones, as having received
much religious instruction from deacon Tamo. It was also central.
The rigors of a severe climate cut them off three mouths from
communication with the plain of Oroomiah, and these rigors were to
be encountered in native huts. But they enjoyed comfortable health,
and were happy and successful in their work. The Bishop of Gawar
sent orders to the villagers not to attend their services, nor to
send children to their schools; but the order produced only a
momentary effect. Mrs. Coan had a school for the mothers and
daughters of the village, who came barefooted through the snow day
after day, the mothers bringing their children on their backs. All
the young men and all the boys of suitable age learned to read the
gospel, and the fathers came to the school-room every Saturday, to
listen while the scholars were learning their Sabbath-school
lessons. Thirty or forty were accustomed to assemble every night to
hear the Word of God expounded, and all attended on the services of
the Sabbath. Deacon Tamo preached in the surrounding villages.
Though threatened at times, he encountered no active opposition.

The year was distinguished by the death of a youth of seventeen
years of age, of whom Dr. Perkins speaks as being a remarkable
instance of the triumph of faith. His name was Guwergis. He was a
nephew of deacon Tamo, and a member of the seminary. Guwergis came a
rude mountain boy from Memikan, and was one of the converts of 1849.
His convictions of sin were pungent, and his interest in the welfare
of souls was engrossing. His prayerfulness was unequaled. During the
period of greatest interest in the revivals, he would occasionally
pray for nearly the whole night. Quite frequently he would rise at
midnight, and repair to his cold and dark closet, which he ever
found warm with a Saviour's love, and radiant with his presence. He
was often known to spend two hours in prayer, and as might be
supposed, in this exercise he soon excelled many of his superiors.

His sickness was very severe. Mr. Coan, after relating an
interesting conversation with the dying youth, speaks of him in the
following manner: "He then closed his eyes, and offered one of the
most touching prayers I ever heard. It were vain for me to attempt
repeating