In 1844 they numbered sixteen
souls; but in 1846, from various causes, they were diminished to
ten. These were not discouraged, but remained at their post
confident that labors in the Lord cannot be in vain. Then the
persecution under Mar Shimon shut them up to God as their only hope,
while it rid them of some native helpers, who cared chiefly for
their own temporal advantage. The army of Gideon, on all sides, was
being diminished in order to secure obedience to that precept, "He
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." The feeling was general,
"all our springs are in God." One of the missionaries said, in the
autumn of 1845, "God never formed a soul that Christ cannot redeem
from the power of sin. I know this people are sunk in sin and
degradation; but Jesus died to save them, and we may see them
forever stars in his crown of rejoicing, if we are only humble and
faithful enough to lead them to the Saviour."
At the time of the revival, Dr. and Mrs. Perkins resided at Seir,
and Dr. and Mrs. Wright were temporarily with them in that village.
Mr. Breath was in the city, but using the Turkish mainly, he never
ventured to give religious instruction in Syriac; so that Mr.
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