The Christian population was one in respect to nationality and language, and was a remnant of the once great Syrian Church.

The language was the same substantially as that spoken in the eastern districts.
As the result of these explorations, Mr.Rhea made an eloquent appeal for more effective labor in Western Koordistan, which was published in the "Missionary Herald," but cannot be sufficiently condensed for these pages.[1] His health had suffered in his mountain tours, which resembled those performed by his eminent predecessor, Dr.Grant.This rendered it necessary for him to spend a year for recovery in his native land, where his missionary addresses were well received.

Two other members of the mission, second to none in the field,--the venerable Dr.Perkins, and Miss Fidelia Fiske,--were obliged to visit the United States in 1858; the former to care for the health of Mrs.Perkins, who, after burying six of her children, had accompanied Mrs.Crane to America, taking her only surviving child; and the latter, in consequence of a disease, which proved fatal after a few years.

Dr.Perkins was also accompanied by Mrs.Stoddard, and three children of the mission.
[1] See _Missionary Herald_, 1858, pp.

317, 318.
Mr.Rhea's appeal had not been without effect.