conversed
freely and in good temper, and listened with attention to all Asaad's
arguments, by which he endeavoured to justify his views and
determinations. But no argument or evidence could convince the
disconsolate mother. Asaad had repeated the name of Christ, and the word
of God so often, that she, at last, in a fit of impatience exclaimed,
"Away, with Christ, and the word of God; what have we to do with them!"
and when we pointed out to Asaad some text of Scripture, which we
thought applicable in any case, she would endeavour to close the book,
or catch it from him, as if it taught paganism, or witchcraft. During
her stay we dined, and as Asaad took the meat upon his plate, and ate it
without a scruple, in this season of Lent, it was remarked with what a
gaze of wonder she regarded him. She seemed to say in her heart, "All is
over--my son is lost!"

After some hours of troublesome expostulation and entreaty, during which
Asaad once said he could bear it no longer, and rose, and shook my hand
to go, it was finally settled that the mother should go home without
him, but that to save the family from the insupportable shame, which
threatened it, Asaad should give her a paper, stating, in effect, that
he was not a follower of the English. When the paper was finished,
"Now," said Asaad, "go to your home in peace;" and walked away; but
suddenly recollecting himself, he called his brother back, and said,
"Phares, I wish you fully to understand, that I love you, and I have one
request to make of you, which is, that you will take the New Testament,
and read it attentively."--"Give me a New Testament," said Phares,
quickly. We gave him the book, and he went his way, evidently affected
and softened by the interview.

9. The shekh before mentioned communicated to Asaad, through the medium
of a priest, the offer of his daughter in marriage, on condition he
should leave the English.

10. Set apart a day of fasting and prayer on Asaad's account. He was
observed not to be in a happy temper. Towards evening he spoke of going
home. I hoped he would finish writing the statement we had requested of
him, "for," said I, "if you go home I shall not see you again for
months." "No," said he, "perhaps not for years." His manner was very
peculiar. I knew not what was the matter, till, in the evening, after a
long conversation on the evidences of inspiration, he said, "I have been
in deep darkness to-day. My heart has been full of blasphemy