Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/448

388 peared on the top of the lofty mountains which separate Be-Alâtha from Be-Rawolé. At this signal all the villagers went forth, and proceeded to ascend the snow-clad sides to meet their chief. Arrived at the summit, the people from Be-Rawolé took their departure, and those from Be-Alâtha returned in single file down the steep descent followed by the Patriarch. We also walked some distance to welcome him; the procession stopped, the venerable primate took me in his arms, pressed me to his bosom, and kissed me on both cheeks. Little was said by either, my heart was too full for utterance, and making us walk before him to do us honour, we entered the house prepared for his reception, and seated ourselves by his side in an open court which was crowded with villagers. Mar Shimoon is nothing more than the wreck of his former self, care hangs heavy upon his brow, his face is furrowed with sorrow rather than with age, and his voice bespeaks the deep anguish of his spirit. His people seemed to sympathize in his sufferings; there was no sound of mirth, no demonstration of rejoicing among them; but they listened attentively as he recounted the tale of their past misfortunes, and the part which I had taken to alleviate them. It was while the Patriarch thus addressed his people, that with his permission Mr. Clive took the portrait which forms the frontispiece to the second volume of this work.

I passed several hours in conversation with Mar Shimoon, and inquired narrowly into the condition of his people under their new rulers. I may not reveal all he said, but of this I am convinced that Turkish domination will be a curse, and a heavy curse too, to the Christian mountaineers; and my sincere prayer is that, in His mercy, will soon break the staff of Mohammedan tyranny and oppression, and free the Nestorians from its baneful slavery. "So let Thine enemies perish, O ; but let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." (Judges v. 31.)

I spoke to the Patriarch about the education of his people.

"Alas!" said he, "we have not yet rebuilt our churches, most of our books have been destroyed, our fields are uncultivated for lack of cattle and implements of husbandry, the people have hardly enough to eat, and are too full of care to think of such things at present. Moreover I am not master now as I once