ipped, they journeyed into
heathen lands, following the command of their Nazarene teacher. The
church was very poor and had no board of foreign missions to guarantee
even a small income. The missionaries went forth trusting in their
heavenly Father. If He took care of the birds of the air, how much more
would He care for the heralds of His gospel. The week before departure
was spent in fasting and prayer and consecration. On the last day they
partook of communion from the hand of their leader, and solemn advice
was given by the bishop. In parting the bishop kissed the missionary's
brow, and the latter kissed the bishop's hand; and the bishop would
say: "The Lord God of the prophets and apostles be with you; the love
of Christ defend you; the Holy Spirit sanctify and continually comfort
you." Some of the missionaries went to distant lands, requiring eight
to twelve months to make the journey on foot. They worked in China,
India, Tatariston, Persia, Bloogistan, Afghanistan, and northern
Africa. Success followed their work. In the territory between China and
Tatariston, they converted 200,000 heathen. Not long ago a monument was
unearthed in China which had been set about 600 years ago by one of
these pioneers of the cross. On it were engraved the names of many of
their leaders, and also the creed, doctrine of the Trinity, and
incarnation of Christ. They established twenty-five churches in
northern Persia. In southern India is a small church planted at that
time. These followers are now called the disciples of St. Thomas, and
sometimes their young priests come to Persia to be ordained by the
patriarch, who resides in the Kurdiston mountains. This spirit which
was shining as the sun in heaven began to languish in the tenth
century, and by the fourteenth century had entirely died. At that time
some of the church's true sons in lamentation said: "How are the mighty
fallen, and the weapons of war perished!" Hundreds of their
missionaries had become martyrs of Christ in a heroic spirit. They
would enter fire singing praises to God, believing their shed blood
would be the seed of the church.

CHAPTER VII.

THEIR PERSECUTIONS.

This ancient church of the Assyrians which began with the apostles, has
been praised in all the eastern and western churches for its zeal in
spreading the gospel, but at no time in its history has it been free
from persecution. Like the burning bush of old, this church has been
burning with per