Convention of Nestorian Churches.--Ordination of a Nestorian Missionary.--A Satisfactory Tour.--Movement towards Self-supporting Churches.--Progress of the Reformation.--Retirement of Missionaries.--What Dr. Perkins had seen accomplished.--Rekindling of the Ancient Missionary Spirit.--Foreign Missions become a Necessity.--The Reviving Missionary Spirit illustrated.--Death of Priest Abraham.--Failure of the Original Plan of Church Organization.--Mar Yohanan.--Erratic Proceedings of Priest John.--The best People stand firm.--The Past not to be condemned. --Separate Churches become a Necessity.--Signs of Revival.--The Foreign Missionary Field for the Nestorians.--The Missionaries. --Assignments of Fields.--Transfer of the Mission to the Presbyterian Board.--Death and Character of Dr. Perkins. CHAPTER XXXVIII. SYRIA.--1857-1860. Death of Dr. Eli Smith.--The Work performed by him.--Dr. Van Dyck succeeds him as Translator.--The Missionaries.--Death of Dr. De Forest.--The Schools.--Progress in Fifteen Years.--Ain Zehalty. --Church at Hasbeiya.--Attitude of the Maronite Clergy.--B'hamdun. --Kefr Shema.--A High-minded Christian.--Religious Toleration. --Prospect of a Native Ministry.--A New Call for the Gospel.--Church at Alma.--Successful Ministry at Cana.--First completed Protestant Church Building in Syria.--The Missionary's Wife at Cana. --Persecution.--The Women at Alma.--Training of Helpers.--Ain Zehalty again.--Struggles in the Department of Education. --Accessions to the Churches.--New Protestant Community at Deir Mimas.--A Cheering Annual Meeting.--Friendly Aid from United States Ambassador.--Arabic New Testament published. CHAPTER XXXIX. SYRIA.--1860-1863. Another Civil War in Syria.--The Missionaries Safe.--Massacre near Sidon.--Mr. Bird at Deir el-Komr.--Destruction of Zahleh.--Massacre at Hasbeiya.--Massacre at Damascus.--Relief for Suffering Thousands.--Remarkable Escape of Missionaries and Native Protestants.--Foreign Interposition.--Effects of the War.--Arabic New Testament published.--Cooperation of American and English Bible Societies.--Importance of the Version.--Sales of the Scriptures.--A Voweled Arabic New Testament.--The Field Brightening.--A Good Governor.--Further Evidences of Progress.--Persecution.--A Significant Event.--Evidence of Divine Agency.--Changes in the Mission.--Growth of Beirut.--Demand for Education.--Proposal for a Protestant College.--What hindered a more Rapid Progress in the Mission. CHAPTER XL. SYRIA.--1863-1869.