Discarding all unwritten traditions, the Apocryphal books, and all implied dependence on the fathers and councils, he found himself standing, in respect to his rule of faith, on Protestant ground.
With all his strong points of character, Asaad had the constitutional weakness of being artless and confiding.

In January, 1826, the Patriarch sent his own brother, as a special messenger, inviting Asaad to an interview, and making him flattering promises.
The consultation with the priest was private, but it soon appeared, that Asaad was disposed to comply with the patriarchal invitation.
It was suggested to him, that the Patriarch was meditating evil against him; but his reply was that he had little fear of it, that the Maronites were not accustomed to take life, or to imprison men, on account of religion.

So confident was he that good would result from the visit, that the brethren in the mission ceased to urge their objections.

On reaching the Patriarch's convent, he thus wrote:-- "I am now at the convent of Alma, and God be thanked, I arrived in good health.

As yet, however, I have not seen his blessedness.
"I pray God, the Father, and his only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, that He will establish me in his love, and that I may never exchange it for any created thing; that neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor riches, nor honor, nor dignity, nor office, nor anything in creation, shall separate me from this love.