’From not less than eight islands we have now for the first time received native lads; and not only are openings being thus made for us in many directions, but the permanent training of our old scholars is going on most favourably; so that by the blessing of God we hope, at all events in the Banks Islands, to carry on continuously the Mission Schools during the winter and summer also.  We have spent the three last winters here, but it would not be wise to run the risk of the damp hot climate in the summer.  Natives of the island must do this, and thank God there are natives being raised up now to do it.  The enclosed translation of a note.  It is but three or four years since the language was reduced to writing, and here is a young man writing down his thoughts to me after a long talk about the question of his being baptized.

’Four others there are soon, by God’s blessing, to be baptized also—­ Sarawia from Vanua Lava, Tagalana from Aroa, Pasvorang from Eowa, Woleg from Mota, and others are pressing on; Taroniara from San Cristoval, Kanambat from New Caledonia, &c.  I tell you their names, for you will I know, remember them in your prayers.

’Will you kindly let Mr. Keble see the enclosed note?  It does not, of course, give much idea of the lad’s state of mind; but he is thoroughly in earnest, and as for his knowledge of his duty there can be no question there.  He really knows his Catechism.  I have scarcely a minute to write by this mail.  Soon you will have, I hope, a sketch of our last voyage.  We remember you all, benefactors and benefactresses, daily.  Thank you again for writing to me:  it humbles me, as it ought to do, to receive such a letter from you.

’Very faithfully yours,

‘J.  C. Patteson, Missionary Bishop.’

These names deserve note:  Sarawia the first to be ordained of the Melanesian Church; and Taroniara, who was to share his Bishop’s death.  B——­, as will be seen, has had a far more chequered course.  Tagalana is described in another letter as having the thoughtfulness of one who knows that he has the seeds of early death in him; but he, the living lectern at the consecration, has lived to be the first deacon of his island of Aroa.

The ensuing is to the Rev. Derwent Coleridge, at that time Principal of St. Mark’s Training College, Chelsea, upon the question whether that institution would afford assistants:—­

’Auckland, New Zealand:  Nov. 15, 1862.

’My dear Cousin,—­You will not be surprised, I hope, to hear from me; I only wish I had written to you long ago.  But until quite recently we could not speak with so much confidence concerning the Melanesian Mission, and it is of little use to write vaguely on matters which I am anxious now to make known to you.

’The general plan of the Mission you may get some notion of from the last year’s Report (which I send), and possibly you may have heard or seen something about it in former years.  This last voyage of nineteen weeks, just concluded, has determined me to write to you; for the time is come when we want helpers indeed, and I think that you will expect me naturally to turn to you.