Several men at the same time seized the bridegroom, who, after a modest resistance, yielded and advanced towards the bride.

He was not able to secure her hand, however, without a struggle, but at length succeeded; and then both took a submissive stand near the officiating clergy.

After reading another hour or more, the bishops, priests, and missionaries, with the multitude, advanced and kissed the married pair.
Mr.Perkins engaged Mar Gabriel, a bishop, fair in form, but of a restless spirit, to reside with him as his teacher in Syriac; and the year did not close before this indefatigable missionary commenced reducing the modern Syriac to writing, with the aid of priest Abraham, who wrote a beautiful hand.

His first translation was the Lord's Prayer.

The Nestorians were much interested, having never heard reading in their spoken language.