’I decided to remove the whole party at once, explaining to the people that we were not afraid to share with them the risk of dying, but that if Mr. Pritt and the others died, there were no teachers left.  I felt that our Banks Island scholars must be removed, and that at once lest they should die.  I could not send the vessel to the Solomon Islands without me, for Mr. Tilly was completely laid up and unable to move from rheumatic gout, and no one else on board knows those languages.

’I could not leave the party at Mota in the sickness, and I could not well send the vessel to Port Patteson for a time, for the danger was imminent.  So I took them all away, in all thirty-nine.

’But now the vessel was full, more than sixty on board, and I had reckoned upon an empty vessel in the hot Santa Cruz and Solomon Island latitudes.  Moreover, the weather was extraordinarily unfavourable—­damp, foul winds, squalls, calms, unhealthy weather.  Mr. Tilly was being greatly pulled down, and everything seemed to point out that the voyage ought not to be long.  I made my mind up, took back the Solomon Island scholars; and, with heavy sea and baffling winds and one short gale, sailed back to New Zealand.

’How mysteriously our plans are overruled for good!  I came back to hear of the war; and to learn to be thankful for my small, very young and very manageable party.  Thirty-three Banks Islanders, the baptized party and select lads from their islands, one New Caledonian, four Ysabel lads, constitute this summer’s Melanesian school.

’Don’t be disappointed; I was at first, but I had the comfort of having really no alternative.  I had, indeed, a great desire to make a thorough visitation of Leper’s Island, and Santa Cruz especially; but the wind, usually so fair, was dead against me, we had, so to speak, no trade winds, and I had to give it up.  It was certainly my duty to get to the south with my invalids as soon as I could, and alter my plans, which, you know, always are made with a view to divers modifications being rendered necessary.

’Training the baptized scholars, and putting into shape such knowledge as I have of Melanesian tongues, that made a good summer programme, as I was obliged to content myself with a small party gathered from but few islands.  Concentration v. diffusion I soon began to think a very good thing.

’Well, so it is, and now I see great reason to be thankful.  Why do we not always give thanks whether we see the reason or not?

’The vessel behaves admirably.  I have written to Jem at length, and he must be applied to for my account of her.  Pray tell Mr. Keble all this.  I have a most valuable letter from Dr. Moberly, a great delight and honour to me.  It is very kind of him to write; and his view of Church matters is really invaluable, no papers can give that which his letter gives, and only he and a very few others could give an opinion which I so greatly value.  He speaks hopefully of Church matters in general, and there are great reasons surely for thankfulness and hope.