Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/344

290 bowels are troubled, my glory is poured out upon the earth for the destruction of my people; because the women, and children, and sucklings, have been sold as slaves in the towns and villages. The heart of our adversaries, namely the Romanists or Papists, rejoiced when they saw what had befallen us, because we would not give ear to their words when they would have turned us away from our old and righteous path.

"But because that is plenteous in compassion and merciful, and with the temptation maketh a way of escape. He so ordered it that the presbyter George Badger and his colleagues should be in these parts to gather together such as had escaped the edge of the sword, and to provide them with food and clothing. Indeed had it not been for the presbyter just mentioned, and his exertions on our behalf, we know not what would have become of us, for after  he has been our supporter and help. May the  recompense you abundantly for having sent him unto us.

"We are not as yet delivered out of our troubles and calamities, but have strong hope in the Lord that we shall soon be saved from all our afflictions through the medium of Sir Stratford Canning, who is endued with godly zeal, a noble diligence, and sound policy on our behalf. May the recompense him also for what he has already done for us; for undoubtedly had he not stood in the breach before us our enemies would have destroyed us utterly. The  prolong his days, prosper his pious designs, and give him an incorruptible crown in His everlasting kingdom.

"But now our calamity has increased, and the trouble of our heart has been doubled, since we heard that the brethren are thinking to recal the presbyter George Badger to your country,—a measure we never expected, nor did we ever anticipate such a thing from them, especially while it is our lot still to be beaten about by the waves of adversity, and knowing that you are a refuge even for strangers, how much more then for those who are of the household of faith. And now that we have found a little respite, must we lose the chief foundation of our support, and become a prey to our spiritual enemies who mock us for having placed our dependance, after, upon our English brethren, and taunt us by saying: The English only laugh at