This book is meant to be a memorial of the early laborers in Syria, nearly all of whom have passed away.

It is intended also as a record of the work done for women and girls of the Arab race; to show some of the great results which have been reached and to stimulate to new zeal and effort in their behalf.
In tracing the history of this work, it seemed necessary to describe the condition of woman in Syria when the missionaries first arrived, and to examine the different religious systems, which affect her position.
In preparing the chapter on the Pre-Islamic Arabs, I have found valuable materials in Chenery's Hariri, Sales and Rodwell's Koran, and Freytag's Arabic Proverbs.
For the facts about the Druze religion, I have consulted Col.
Churchill's Works, Mount Lebanon, and several Arabic manuscripts in the mission library in Beirut.
Rev.S.Lyde's interesting book called the "Asian Mystery," has given me the principal items with regard to the Nusairiyeh religion.

This confirms the statements of Suleiman Effendi, whose tract, revealing the secrets of the Nusairiyeh faith, was printed years ago at the Mission Press in Beirut, and translated by that ripe Arabic Scholar Prof.E.
Salisbury of New Haven.

The bloody Nusairiyeh never forgave Suleiman for revealing their mysteries; and having invited him to a feast in a village near Adana, 1871, brutally buried him alive in a dunghill! For the historical statements of this volume, I am indebted to the files of the Missionary Herald, the Annual Reports of the Syria Mission, the archives of the mission in Beirut, the memoir of Mrs.Sarah L.Smith, and private letters from Mrs.Whiting, Mrs.De Forest, and various missionary and native friends.
Information on the general work of the Syrian Mission may be found in Dr.Anderson's "Missions to the Oriental churches," Rev.Isaac Bird's "Bible Work in Bible Lands," and the pamphlet sketches of Rev.T.Laurie and Rev.James S.Dennis.
The specimens of poetry from ancient Arabic poetesses, have been gathered from printed and manuscript volumes, and from the lips of the people.
Some accounts of child life in Syria and specimens of Oriental stories and nursery rhymes have been gathered into a "Children's Chapter." They have a value higher than that which is given by mere entertainment as they exhibit many phases of Arab home life.

The illustrations of the volume consist of drawings from photographs by Bergheim of Jerusalem and Bonfils of Beirut.
The pages of Arabic were electrotyped in Beirut by Mr.Samuel Hallock, the skilful superintendent of the American Press.
I send out this record of the work carried on in Syria with deep gratitude for all that the Lord has done, and with an ardent desire that it may be the means of bringing this great field more vividly before the minds of Christian people, of wakening warmer devotion to the missionary cause, and so of hastening the time when every Arab woman shall enjoy the honor, and be worthy of the elevation which come with faith in Him who was first foretold as the seed of the woman.
HENRY HARRIS JESSUP.
Beirut, Syria, Nov.