it. He began by expressing a desire to die, and be with
Christ; but he checked himself by saying, 'Not my will, but thine be
done.' He then proceeded in a most humble and penitent strain, to
speak of his own vileness, and to adore the sovereign love of God in
calling him to be an heir of his grace.

"His humble confession of sin, his strong confidence in the efficacy
of the atonement, even for him sinful as he was, his entire
renunciation of all dependence on anything save the grace of God in
Christ, were deeply affecting. He ceased, and on opening his eyes he
saw us weeping. 'Why do you weep?' said he. 'If it is the will of
God that I die, my heart is burning to see Christ in his glory.'
Surely, this is far more than a return for all that has been
expended by the Church in the work of missions."

"I have been happy during his sickness," wrote Dr. Perkins, "to try
to alleviate his bodily pains; but I have also been greatly
refreshed in spirit; and I have been instructed and comforted in
watching the remarkable exercises of his mind, and the ardent
longing of his soul after Christ and heaven. Since the death of Mrs.
Grant, more than twelve years ago, I have been present at no such
rapturous deathbed, nor have I ever beheld any more wonderful."

The Rev. Edward H. Crane and wife, and Miss Martha A. Harris, were
added to the mission in the year 1852.

Among the adverse influences of the year, was the conscription of a
regiment of Christian soldiers by the Persian government. This was
made in that arbitrary and oppressive manner, in which Moslems deal
with their Christian subjects. The Romanists, also, taking advantage
of the edict of toleration, and relying on French protection, became
very unscrupulous and troublesome. Mar Shimon, having been
recognized by the Turkish government as the civil head of the
mountain Nestorians, became intent on driving the missionaries from
Gawar, and the Turkish authorities were only too willing to unite
with him in this effort.

Among the extreme measures of the Turkish rulers, under such an
influence, was the arrest of deacon Tamo, with his two brothers, and
several of the chief villagers, on the strange charge of murdering a
Turkish soldier, who was spending the night near the house of the
deacon, and was shot by a company of marauders. Deacon Tamo was
arrested as the chief offender, and along with the others was taken
to Bashkallah, the residence of the local Pasha. They were there