But we trust that great and good things are in store for this ancient people, who, though severely tried and tempted, have persisted in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; who, though stumbling, have not wandered altogether out of the way; and who have within themselves all the elements for moral renovation,—the Holy Scriptures, the Sabbath, and the knowledge of the Redeemer of mankind.[11] Abyssinia, as an empire, has experienced alternately the contraction and expansion common to the ancient monarchies. The Negus, as friend and ally of Justinian, reigned supreme over seven kingdoms, prosecuted an extensive trade with Ceylon and the Indies, and encouraged in his country the arts and letters of Europe. Arabia, surnamed "the blest," and, by contrast with the neighbouring regions, considered as "happy," had been despoiled of her rich treasures, and led in captivity, to gratify the avarice or ambition of an Ethiopian conqueror, whose hereditary claim, founded on his descent from the beauteous Queen of Sheba, was warmed and animated by religious zeal. The inhabitants of Arabia were denominated Homerites. Their prince, Duncan, was not insensible to the inflictions, nor inflexible to the entreaties, of the Jews, who, powerful even in exile, persuaded him to retaliate upon the Christians in his dominions the persecution that their people suffered from the imperial laws. Accordingly some Roman merchants were ignominiously put to death, and the crown of martyrdom bestowed upon many Christians of Yemen, who refused to apostatize from their faith. The expiring churches of Arabia invoked the name of the Abyssinian monarch, who arose like a lion out of his place, passed the Red Sea with a fleet and army, dethroned the Jewish proselyte, and extinguished a royal race who, for many centuries, had exercised sovereignty over the sequestered region of precious gums and aromatic groves. The cities of Arabia immediately resounded with the Trisagion, chanted, with rapturous demonstrations of joy, by the conquering army. The Negus himself despatched a messenger to the Alexandrian prelate, announcing the victory of the gospel, and soliciting of that dignitary an orthodox ruler for the Arabian churches. To Justinian, this announcement occasioned much secret gratulation, though it may be questioned by posterity whether he exulted most in the triumph of orthodoxy, or the flattering prospects he thereby entertained of gratifying his ambition, securing a fortunate ally, and reaping the advantages of a lucrative commercial intercourse. He was desirous to divert the trade of the precious commodities of the East,—silk, balm, and frankincense,—no less than to engage the forces of Arabia and Africa against the Persian king. Accordingly, an embassage, under the direction of Nonnosus, was despatched into Abyssinia, to execute, in the name of the Emperor, this important commission. Declining the shorter but more dangerous route