effeminacy, and positively refused to gratify my wish....  In the spring of 1840 I met Livingstone at London in Exeter Hall, when Prince Albert delivered his maiden speech in England.  I remember how nearly he was brought to silence when the speech, which he had lodged on the brim of his hat, fell into it, as deafening cheers made it vibrate.  A day or two after, we heard Binney deliver his masterly missionary sermon, ’Christ seeing of the travail of his soul and being satisfied.’”

The meeting at Exeter Hall was held to inaugurate the Niger Expedition.  It was on this occasion that Samuel Wilberforce became known as a great platform orator[16].  It must have been pleasant to Livingstone in after-years to recall the circumstance when he became a friend and correspondent of the Bishop of Oxford.

[Footnote 16:  Life of Bishop Wilberforce, vol. i, p. 160.]

Notwithstanding the dear postage of the time, Livingstone wrote regularly to his friends, but few of his letters have survived.  One of the few, dated 5th May, 1839, is addressed to his sister, and in it he says that there had been some intention of sending him abroad at once, but that he was very desirous of getting more education.  The letter contains very little news, but is full of the most devout aspirations for himself and exhortations to his sister.  Alluding to the remark of a friend that they should seek to be “uncommon Christians, that is, eminently holy and devoted servants of the Most High,” he urges: 

“Let us seek—­and with the conviction that we cannot do without it—­that all selfishness be extirpated, pride banished, unbelief driven from the mind, every idol dethroned, and everything hostile to holiness and opposed to the divine will crucified; that ‘holiness to the Lord’ may be engraven on the heart, and evermore characterize our whole conduct.  This is what we ought to strive after; this is the way to be happy; this is what our Saviour loves—­entire surrender of the heart.  May He enable us by his Spirit to persevere till we attain it!  All comes from Him, the disposition to ask as well as the blessing itself.

“I hope you improve the talents committed to you whenever there is an opportunity.  You have a class with whom you have some influence.  It requires prudence in the way of managing it; seek wisdom from above to direct you; persevere—­don’t be content with once or twice recommending the Saviour to them—­again and again, in as kind a manner as possible, familiarly, individually, and privately, exhibit to them the fountain of happiness and joy, never forgetting to implore divine energy to accompany your endeavors, and you need not fear that your labor will be unfruitful.  If you have the willing mind, that is accepted; nothing is accepted if that be wanting.  God desires that.  He can do all the rest.  After all, He is the sole agent, for the ‘willing mind’ comes alone from Him.  This is