CHAPTER IV.
NUSAIRIYEH.
To the North of Mount Lebanon, and along the low range of mountains extending from Antioch to Tripoli, and from the Mediterranean on the West to Hums on the East, live a strange, wild, blood-thirsty race called the Nusairiyeh numbering about 200,000 souls, and now for the first time in their history coming within the range of Missionary effort.
The Druzes admit women to the Akkal or initiated class, but not so the Nusairiyeh.

The great secret of the Sacrament is administered in a secluded place, the women being shut up in a house, or kept away from the mysteries.

In these assemblies the Sheikh reads prayers, and then all join in cursing Abubekr, Omar, Othman, Sheikh et-Turkoman and the Christians and others.

Then he gives a spoonful of wine, first to the Sheikhs present, and then to all the rest.

They then eat fruit, offer other prayers, and the assembly breaks up.