She was born in a pleasant valley, Wady Shehrur, near Beirut, celebrated for its fine oranges, and indeed for almost all kind of fine fruits.  She lost both her parents early in life.  Her brothers (contrary to the usual custom here where girls are not much regarded or cared for) were very kind to her, and as she was a delicate child, they took great care of her, and often used to make vows to some saint in her behalf.  At one time, when she was very ill, they vowed to Mar Giurgis (for they are members of the Greek Church, and St. George is one of the favorite saints of the Greeks, and indeed of all the Christian sects here, and they still show the spot where he is said to have killed the dragon) that if she recovered, she should carry to one of his shrines two wax candles as tall as herself and of a prescribed weight.  While she was still feeble they provided the candles, and as she was too weak to walk, they carried her and the candles also, to the holy place and presented them.

When she was eight years old, they were persuaded by an acquaintance to place her in one of the Mission families.  Here she was instructed in her own language, and especially in the Holy Scriptures.  She was allowed, however, to keep her feasts and fasts, and to attend her own church, until she became convinced that these things would not save her and she wished to give them up.  One feast day the lady with whom she lived gave her some sewing and told her to seat herself and do her task.  She refused, saying it was a feast day, and it was unlawful work.  A little while after she asked permission to go and visit her brother’s family; but the lady told her, “No, if it is unlawful to work, it is unlawful to visit.  I have no objection to your keeping your feast days, but if you do you must keep them as holy time.”  So she gave her a portion of Scripture to learn, and she was kept very quiet all day, as though it was the Sabbath, and without the day being made agreeable to her like the Sabbath by going to Church and Sabbath School.  She did not at all like keeping a feast in this manner, which is very different from the manner in which such a day or even the Sabbath, is kept in this land, and was ever after ready to work when told to do so.  When her brothers saw that she was beginning to give up their vain ceremonies, they became anxious to get her away, lest she should become a Protestant; and at one time, when she went home to attend the wedding of one of her relatives, they refused to allow her to return, and it was only through the good management of the native friend who was sent for her, and her own determination to come, that she was permitted to come back.

We hope that she became truly pious six years ago, in 1846, as her life evinces that she is striving to live according to the precepts of the gospel.  She has never dared to go home again, although it has been a great trial for her to stay away, because she knew that she