Asaad set himself to answer their reply.

It was in this connection that his name first became known to the missionaries, to whom he was reported as a man of talent and high education.

The dignitaries of the church did not see fit to allow his essay to be published.
In March, 1825, a well-dressed young man, of easy manners and sedate countenance, came to Beirut and asked to be employed by the mission as a teacher of Arabic.

As soon as he gave his name, he was recognized as the man who was to have answered their reply to the Patriarch.

He took no pains to conceal his agency in the matter, and even frankly begged the liberty of examining the original book, containing one of the most important quotations in the reply by the mission.
There was then no special need of another teacher; and though his very gentlemanly appearance and apparent frankness, and his good sense pleaded in his favor, it was thought prudent to decline his proposal.