, in so far as he stated that
the _Gospel_ made any such statement, and on that account I could not
believe the story. To this he gave me no answer. After this, as we were
reading the book, and found a statement respecting the bishops collected
in Constantinople, to the number of 313; that they decreed the abolition
of the use of images, because it was idolatrous, and that in the
clearest terms,--I asked him the question, "If an assembly composed of
the bishops of the church were infallible, how is it that this council
is said to have committed an error?"

About this time, I heard that a certain individual wished to converse
with me on the subject of religion, which rejoiced me exceedingly, and I
was impatient for an interview. He came on a Sabbath day to Ain Warka,
for the study of the Arabic grammar, according to his custom, and we had
a short conversation together on works unlawful on the Sabbath day, and
other subjects. He then excused himself from further conversation for
want of time; but promised that when we should meet again, he hoped to
have a sufficient opportunity to dwell on these subjects at large. I
continued at Ain Warka the whole week, reading with the rest at prayers
and confessing to Hoory Joseph above mentioned; and on the next Lord's
day, the Armenian priest aforesaid came again, and I fully expected to
have time and opportunity to ascertain his opinions; but I was
disappointed again; for he wished to have the dispute carried on in
writing, and to have an assistant with him, with other conditions.

In these circumstances I failed of my object; but was on the whole more
inclined than before to receive the doctrines of the Romish church;
since the priest had promised to bring his evidence, on all points, from
the word of God, that they (the papists) were walking in light and not
in darkness.

At this time one informed me that his holiness, bishop Jacob, superior
of the convent of Bzumar, wished to see me. And because Hoory Joseph, at
first told me that this state in which I had fallen was a temptation of
Satan, and at one time shewed me that it was usual for people, when they
came to the age of manhood, to be tempted on the subject of their
religion, and at another, assured me, that this was a state of
delirium:--and again, because I had heard formerly that this bishop
Jacob had himself been delirious, and that he was a man of information,
I wished very much to see him; and on the same day I went to