St. Paul was converted on his way to Damascus (Acts ix) in which
connection see also II Cor. xi, 32 and Acts ix.

In A.D. 1860 a frightful massacre of Christians took place here. By
nightfall on July 9th of that year the whole of the Christian Quarter
was in flames, the water supply cut off and the inhabitants hemmed in
by a circle of steel. As night advanced fresh marauders entered the
city and joined the furious mob of fanatics, who now, tired of plunder,
began to cry out for blood. All through that awful night and the whole
of the following day, the pitiless massacre went on. It is probable
that not a Christian would have remained alive but for the untiring
energy of Abd-el-Kader (himself a Mohammedan of great renown, but a
just man) with his faithful Algerines, who, in 1847, mustering only
2,500 men had completely defeated the army of the Emperor of Morocco
60,000 strong.

Abd-el-Kader at once set to work rescuing the Christians. Hundreds were
escorted to his house, fed, comforted and forwarded to the castle,
where, finally, nearly 12,000 were collected. Many also reached the
British Consulate. The Mohammedans, furious at being baulked of their
prey, turned their attentions to Abd-el-Kader, who, however, charged
into their midst and said: "Wretches! is this the way you honour the
Prophet!... You think you may do as you please with the Christians, but
the day of retribution will come. Not a Christian will I give up, they
are my brothers. Stand back or I will give my men the order to fire".
Not a man among them dared to raise a voice against the renowned
champion of Islam, and the crowd dispersed. British and French
intervention prevented a general massacre throughout Syria, and as a
result of European pressure an enquiry was held on the Damascus
outrage, with the result that the Military Governor of that city, three
Turkish officers and 117 individuals were shot. In addition about 400
of the lower class and 11 notables were condemned to imprisonment or
exile and L200,000 was proposed to be levied on the city. This was all
that could be obtained to the Christian community for a loss of 6,000
of their lives, 20,000 rendered homeless, and damage to their property
of at least L2,000,000._

[30] _See John ii, 1; also iv, 46, i, 47 and xxi, 2._

[31] _Tiberias was built by the Roma