Six of the men were Syrian Jacobites, and four of these were formerly deacons in their church.

The difficulties encountered by Dr.Smith in 1851, when he declared his intention of admitting to the church none but such as were truly pious, and baptizing only them and their children, were now revived.
In view of these things, a meeting of the Assyria Mission was held at Mosul for ten days, in March, 1854.

It was then decided that Messrs.

Marsh and Lobdell should return with Messrs.

Dunmore and Walker, and assist in reorganizing the church at Diarbekir.