’Next Sunday a Confirmation at Orehunga, eight miles off; back to Auckland for catechising and Baptism at 3 p.m. and evening service at 6.30, and never a word of either sermon written, and all the school work!  Never mind, a good growl to you is a fine restorative, and really I get on very well somehow.

’Well, good-bye, you dear Sisters,

’Your affectionate Brother,

‘J.  C. P.’

On the last day of February came the new ‘Southern Cross,’ and two delightful notes announced it to the Vicar of Hursley and to myself in one envelope.

’St. Andrew’s:  Feb. 28, 1863.

’My dear Cousin,—­The “Southern Cross” arrived safely this morning.  Thanks to God!

’What it is to us even you can hardly tell; I know not how to pour out my thankfulness.  She seems admirably adapted for the work.  Mr. Tilly’s report of her performance is most satisfactory:  safe, fast, steers well, and very manageable.  Internal arrangements very good; after cabin too luxurious, but then that may be wanted for sick folk, and as it is luxurious, why I shall get a soft bed, and take to it very kindly.

’Pray let dear Mr. Keble and Dr. Moberly know at once how very happy and thankful I am for this blessing.  I know all you good friends at home will try to picture to yourselves my delight as I jumped on board!

’The boys are, of course, wild with excitement.  It is blowing very hard.  Last night (when we were thinking of them) it was an anxious night for them close on the coast.

’I have no time to write more.  I thought of Lady... as I looked at the chronometers and instruments, and of you all as I looked at the beautiful vessel slipping along through the water with scarce a stitch of canvas.  I pray that she may be spared many years to the Mission, and that we may have grace to use her, as she ought to be used, to His glory.

’Your affectionate Cousin,

’J.  C. Patteson, Bishop.

’You know that you are daily remembered in our prayers.  God bless you.’

’10.30 P.M., March 1, 1863.

’My dear Mr. Keble,—­One line, though on Sunday night, to tell you of the safe arrival of the “Southern Cross.”  You have a large share in her, and she has a large share in your good wishes and prayers, I am sure.

’Solemn thoughts on this day, an Ordination Sunday, mingle with the joy at the coming of this messenger (I trust of mercy and peace).  I need not ask you to pray continually for us, for I know you do so.  But indeed, now is the time when we seem especially to need your prayers.

’The lads have no lack of intellectual capacity, they not unfrequently surprise me.  Now is the time when they are in the receptive state, and now especially any error on our part may give a wrong direction to the early faith of thousands!  What an awful thought!  We are their only teachers, the only representatives of Christianity among them.  How inexpressibly solemn and fearful!  This is the thought so perpetually present to me.  The training of the future missionaries of Melanesia is, by God’s Providence, placed in our hands.  No wonder that I feel sometimes overwhelmed at the thought!