So first loomed the cloud that was to become so fatal a darkening of the hopes of the Mission, all the more sad because it was caused by Christian men, or men who ought to have been Christian.  It will be seen, however, that Bishop Patteson did not indiscriminately set his face against all employment of natives.  Occupation and training in civilised customs were the very things he desired for them, but the whole question lay in the manner of the thing.  However, to him as yet it was but a report, and this Advent and Christmas of 1867 were a very happy time.  A letter to me describes the crowning joy.

’Norfolk Island:  Christmas Day, 1867.

’My dear Cousin,—­One line to you to-day of Christmas feelings and blessings.  Indeed, you are daily in my thoughts and prayers.  You would have rejoiced could you have seen us last Sunday or this morning at 7 A.M.  Our fourteen Melanesian Communicants so reverent, and (apparently) earnest.  On Sunday I ordained Mr. Palmer Priest, Mr. Atkin and Mr. Brooke Deacons.

’The service was a solemn one, in the Norfolk Island Church, the people joining heartily in the first ordination they had seen; Codrington’s sermon excellent, the singing good and thoroughly congregational, and the whole body of confirmed persons remaining to receive the Holy Communion.  Our own little Chapel is very well decorated (Codrington again the leader) with fronds of tree-ferns, arums, and lilies; “Emmanuel, God amemina” (with us), in large letters over the altar.

’And now (9.30P.M.) they are practising Christmas hymns in Mota for our 11 A.M. service.  Then we have a regular feast, and make the day a really memorable one for them.  The change from the old to the new state of things, as far as our Banks Islanders are concerned, is indeed most thankworthy.  I feel that there is great probability of George Sarawia’s ordination before long.  This next year he will be left alone (as far as we whites are concerned) at Mota, and I shall be able to judge, I hope, of his fitness for carrying on the work there.  If it be God’s will to give him health of body and the will and power to serve Him, then he ought to be ordained.  He is an excellent fellow, thoughtful, sensible, and my right hand among the Melanesians for years.  His wife, Sara Irotaviro, a nice gentle creature, with now a fine little boy some seven months old.  She is not at all equal to George in intelligence, and is more native in habits, &c.  But I think that she will do her best.

’You know I have long felt that there is almost harm done by trying to make these islanders like English people.  All that is needful for decency and propriety in the arrangement of houses, in dress, &c., we must get them to adopt, but they are to be Melanesian, not English Christians.  We are so far removed from them in matters not at all necessarily connected with Christianity, that unless we can denationalise ourselves and eliminate all that belongs to us as English, and not as Christians, we cannot be to them what a well-instructed fellow-countryman may be.  He is nearer to them.  They understand him.  He brings the teaching to them in a practical and intelligible form.