We can hardly spare her; she is our only hope for a female school in Beirut at present." The state of society in Syria at that time is well pictured in the following language, used by Mrs.Smith in a letter dated February 12, 1835: "Excepting the three or four native converts, we know not one pious religious teacher, one judicious parent, one family circle regulated by the fear of God; no, _not even one_!" "I wish I had strength to do more, but my school and my studies draw upon my energies continually." Even at that early day Moslem girls came to be taught by Mrs.Smith.She writes June 2, "A few days since, one of my little Moslem scholars, whose father was once an extensive merchant here, came and invited me to make a call upon her mother.

I took Raheel and accompanied her to their house which is in our neighborhood.

I found it a charming spot and very neatly kept.

Hospitality is regarded here as a religious act, I think, and a reputation for it is greatly prized." In July she wrote of what has not ceased to be a trial to all missionaries in Beirut for the past forty years, the necessity of removing to the mountains during the hot summer months.

The climate of the plain is debilitating to foreigners, and missionary families are obliged to spend three months of the hot season in the Lebanon villages.
"My school interests me more and more every day, and I do not love to think of suspending it even for a few weeks during the hot season.