The object of his mission to Antioch, so important at this moment, he would not have misunderstood.  Turks, Greeks, Jews, Arabs, Armenians, and Kurds, and Yesedees-yes, brethren, Yesedees! inhabit this part of Assyria, which opens up an extensive field of missionary labor, even yet.  Much had been done by the ancient Greeks for the people who roamed in these Eastern wilds-much remained for us to do; for it was yet a dark spot on the missionary map.  Thousands of these poor souls were without the saving knowledge of the Gospel.  He could not shrink from a duty so demanding-wringing his very heart with its pleadings!  Giving the light of the Gospel to these vicious Arabs and Kurds was the end and aim of his mission. (A motion of satisfaction was here perceptible.) And while there, he would teach the Jews a just sense of their Lord’s design-which was the subjugation of the heathen world.  Inward light was very good, old prophecies were very grand; but Judaism was made of stubborn metal, had no missionary element in it, and could only be forced to accept light through strong and energetic movement.  He had read with throbbing heart how Rome, while in her greatness, protected those Christian pilgrims who went forth into the East, to do battle with the enemy.  Would not America imitate Rome, that mighty mother of Republics?  A deeper responsibility rested on her at this moment.  Rome, then, was semi-barbarous; America, now, was Christianized and civilized.  Hence she would be held more accountable for the dissemination of light.

In those days the wandering Christian Jews undertook to instruct the polished Greeks-why could not Americans at this day inculcate the doctrines of Jesus to these educated heathen?  It was a bold and daring experiment, but he was willing to try it.  The All-wise worked his wonders in a mysterious way.  In this irrelevant and somewhat mystical style, Brother Spyke continues nearly an hour, sending his audience into a highly-edified state.  We have said mystical, for, indeed, none but those in the secret could have divined, from Brother Spyke’s logic, what was the precise nature of his mission.  His speech was very like a country parson’s model sermon; one text was selected, and a dozen or more (all different) preached from; while fifty things were said no one could understand.

Brother Spyke sits down-Sister Slocum rises.  “Our dear and very generous guest now present,” she says, addressing the good-natured fat man in the chair, as Lady Swiggs bows, “moved by the goodness that is in her, and conscious of the terrible condition of the heathen world, has come nobly to our aid.  Like a true Christian she has crossed the sea, and is here.  Not only is she here, but ready to give her mite toward getting Brother Spyke off to Antioch.  Another donation she proposes giving the ‘Tract Society,’ an excellent institution, in high favor at the South.  Indeed I may add, that it never has offended against its social—­”