their eyes. Some of
them have since become preachers of the gospel. In the country schools
some of the teachers work more faithfully for the salvation of their
pupils than pastors work for their flock. In one school two boys were
attacked with a fatal disease. The teacher, accompanied with several
pupils, visited the first sick boy and asked him if he was afraid to
die. He replied that he did not want to give up his studies. The
teacher asked if he did not know that Christ was a teacher. The dying
boy was gladdened by this thought, and, with a smile on his boyish
face, he said: "I'm going away to Christ and He will teach me." With
these words his soul took its flight above. The other sick boy was then
visited and comforted in the same way. He, too, soon died of the fatal
disease. The missionaries are carrying on 113 schools in Persia and the
Kurdiston mountains. The number of teachers employed is 116 and there
are 1821 boys and 720 girls; total 2541.

TRANSLATION OF BOOKS.

When the missionaries first came to Persia, ancient Syriac was the
language of literature; therefore the common people could not
understand anything in the ceremonial words of the priests. Dr.
Perkins, with the aid of native scholars, translated the Bible into the
common language, or modern Syriac. After the new translation was
printed the common people were surprised and rejoiced greatly at having
the sacred Word in a form that they could understand. From time to time
other books were translated, such as parts of commentaries on the
Bible, Pilgrim's Progress, Rest of Saints, Morning to Morning, etc.
These books are read in connection with the Bible in the daily worship
of the native Christians. Rev. Benjamin Larabee D.D., with some native
scholars, greatly improved the translation of the Bible into modern
Syriac, about two years ago, by a careful revision of the first
translation. Mrs. J. H. Shedd who was known as the "Mother in Israel"
did a great work for our people in translating books, and tracts and
preparing the Sunday lessons.

CHAPTER V.

THE GOSPEL AND TEMPORAL IMPROVEMENT.

The Assyrian houses were one story, low flat roof, and built of mud.
Mohammedan law was opposed to Christians building houses of more than
one story. The houses were poorly kept, dark and unfurnished. This was
the case even when a man was well-to-do and could have afforded
something better. Families were large, numbering from ten to forty. It
was the cu