The country never seemed more open to evangelical labors.

For a year there had been no opposition to the schools, except two or three among the Druzes.

The press was in operation without censorship, sending forth thousands of copies each year, and there was an increasing demand for books.
The mission bookstore, in the centre of the town, was visited by all classes, including very many high officers of government, and even by the Seraskier himself, and there was no complaint against it.

No one had been persecuted for a long time for professing the religion of the Bible, and Protestantism seemed to have gained a tacit toleration.
In reply to the objection, that the mission had been long established, and yet the conversions had been very few, Mr.Smith wrote thus: "I ask, what labor?
Has it, after all, been so disproportioned to the results?
The instrumentality highest on the scale of efficiency for the conversion of souls in every country, is oral instruction, especially formal preaching.

Now how much of this has there been in Syria?
Before Mr.Bird could engage in it, Mr.
Fisk was called away by death.