But his morals were irreproachable in the view of the world, and on his return to Syria in 1830, which was mainly in consequence of the failure of his eyes, the sun shone forth again, and continued to do so till his death.

He went back to Beirut with the intention of supporting himself by manual labor, but the return of ophthalmia interrupted his plans, and reduced him to poverty.

Mr.Bird visited him in May, 1831, at his residence near Sidon, and found him and his wife destitute indeed of the good things of this life, but contented and cheerful, and Wortabet warning all around him, night and day.
Much of his conversation was spiritual, and he was listened to with deference.

He was respected by the principal inhabitants of the place, and his wife was regarded as a model of humility and piety.
Two or three were thought to have received saving impressions from his conversation.

He obtained his support, such as it was, by means of a small shop, and was rigidly conscientious in his dealings.
Respectable men of all classes came frequently to converse with him on religious subjects, and so gave him an opportunity to circulate the Bible, and to recommend its religion to Druses, Armenians, Papists, and Jews.