that he expresses his astonishment
how such doctrines could be inferred from them; and nothing has occurred
of late, which has more strengthened his conviction that the church of
Rome is radically wrong. What seems to have affected him most sensibly,
is, the expression he has found, "We are under obligation to kill
heretics."--Proof,--'False prophets God commanded to be slain. Jehu and
Elijah killed the worshippers and prophets of Baal.' This passage he
shows to all who visit him, priests and people, and calls upon them to
judge whether such sweeping destruction is according to the spirit of
the gospel.

In this country, where the pope cannot do all he could wish, the right
of murdering every one who differs from him, has not been so publicly
asserted of late, and some, when they hear it, are a little startled.
But most of the good children of "the church" are soon quieted again, by
the recollection, that their kind and compassionate "mother" _means_
well, even in murder. The common mode of reasoning, is, in this case,
inverted. It is not said, "the action is right, therefore the church
does it;" but, "the church does it, therefore it is right."

_Jan. 1, 1826._ Twelve or fourteen individuals were present at the
Arabic service at Mr. Goodell's. After this service, we questioned Asaad
closely with regard to the state of his heart, and were rather
disappointed at the readiness, with which he replied, that he thought he
was born again. For ourselves, we chose rather to suspend our opinion.
He can hardly be supposed to have acquired yet, even _speculatively_,
very clear notions of what is regeneration; and it would seem quite as
consistent with christian humility, and with a true knowledge of his
sinfulness, if he should speak of himself with more doubt and caution.

In the evening, an acquaintance of his, one who has heretofore expressed
great friendship to him, and to us; who had said that there was no true
religion to be found in the whole country, and pretended to lament very
much that the patriarch and priests had so much sway; came to give Asaad
a last serious admonition.

"This," said he, "is the last time I intend ever to say a word to you on
the subject of religion. I wish, therefore, before you go any further,
that you would pause and think whether you can meet all the reproach of
the world, and all the opposition of the patriarch and priests."

Asaad replied, that he had made up his mind to meet all these th