The ocean trip did Mary much good.  The cool ocean breezes blew the fever away.  It made her cheeks pink again.  Every day she prayed for the people of Africa.  She prayed that she might go back again.  She prayed that more missionaries would be sent out to show these poor people the way to Heaven.

How happy Mary’s mother and two sisters were to have her with them again!  And how happy Mary was to be with them!  They could not hear enough about Calabar.  It made Mary’s mother very happy to know that her daughter had taught the black children the way to Heaven.  She was glad to hear about the other missionary work which Mary had done.  But other people, too, were anxious to hear about Calabar.  So Mary had to speak at Wishart Church and other churches.

Mary told about the heathen, the wicked things the heathen natives did to twins, the mean way they treated slaves, and the many other cruel, wicked things these people did.

“There is only one thing that will change these people,” said Mary.  “There is only one thing that will turn these heathen from their sins.  That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news about the Saviour.  But who will tell these people about Jesus?  We need many, many more missionaries.  If you cannot go yourself, you can send gifts and offerings for this work.  We need money so the missionaries can buy food and clothing.  We need money so that they can build homes and churches and hospitals.  Have pity on these poor people!  Pity the poor little children!  Help them now!  Above all, pray for these people, and pray for your missionaries that God will bless their work with these lost souls.”

Everywhere Mary went she won friends for Calabar.  The people who heard Mary wanted to help make Christians of the heathen people.  Many prayed.  Many gave.  Men and women gave gifts of money for the work.  Boys and girls brought their little gifts, too.  They knew the hymn: 

If you cannot give your thousands
You can give the widow’s mite. 
And each gift you give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight.

Mrs. Slessor was not well.  Living in the crowded, dusty, smoky city made her sick.  Mary found a little home out in the country.  Here were clear blue skies and pleasant fields.  Mary’s mother was much better after they moved her.  Mary’s sisters enjoyed it also.  The months passed quickly.  Soon the year would be over.

“What do you want to do when you go back?” asked Mrs. Slessor.

“I want to go on up the river.  I want to go where missionaries have never been.  I want to go to Okoyong and tell the people there about Jesus.  I am praying God that sooner or later He will let me go and work there.”

“Isn’t it much more dangerous there?” asked Mrs. Slessor.

“Yes, it is,” answered Mary, “but I am not afraid because I know that God is with me and His angels are watching over me.”

June came.  Mary had been home a year.  Now she was in good health again.  She wanted to get back to Africa.  July, August, September went by and then the good news came.  Mary was to leave in October for Calabar.  It was a happy day for her when she got on the ship that would take her back to the Africa she loved.