CHAPTER IV.
SYRIA.
THE MARTYR OF LEBANON.
1826-1830.
The conversion, life, and martyrdom of Asaad Shidiak,1 so very early in the history of this mission, is a significant and encouraging fact.

He not only belonged to the Arab race, but to a portion of it that had long been held in slavish subjection to Rome.

His fine mind and heart opened to the truths of the Gospel almost as soon as they were presented; and when once embraced, they were held through years of suffering, which terminated in a martyr's death.

With freedom to act, he would have gone forth an apostle to his countrymen.

The Arab-speaking race is estimated at sixty millions, and they must receive the gospel mainly from those to whom the language is vernacular.