’He has been with me for some years, always good and amiable; but too good-natured, too weak, so that he did not take a distinct line with his people.  He is a person of some consequence in his neighbourhood.  Now he gives all the proofs that can well be given of real sincerity.  He wonders himself, as he contrasts his present with his former thoughts.  I feel, humanly speaking, quite convinced that he is thoroughly in earnest.  His wife and little child are in the islands.  “How foolish of me not to have listened to you, and brought them here at once.  Then we could stop here for good.”  But he will return with them, all being well, or without them, if anything has happened to them, and I see in him, as I hope and pray, the pioneer for San Cristoval at last.

’(Resuming the home letter.) The language of Mota now is beginning to be a very fair channel for communicating accurate theological teaching.  We have, of course, to a large extent made it so by assigning deeper meanings to existing words (we have introduced very few words).  This is the case in every language.  On Sunday night, if you had been here, and been able to understand my teaching on St. John vi. to the Communicants, you would have been surprised, I think.  Something of Hooker’s fifth book was being readily taken in by several of those present.  An Old Testament history they don’t learn merely as certain events.  They quickly take up the meaning, the real connection.  I use the “Sunday Teaching,” or work them at all events on that plan.  Well, you mustn’t say too much of the bright side of the picture.  It is so easy to misunderstand.

’The time has been bad for our “lambing.”  We have thirty-five lambs, looking well, and have lost, I think, nine.  Yesterday a great event occurred.  One of the cart-mares foaled; great was the satisfaction of the Melanesians at the little filly.  Calves are becoming too common, as we have now fourteen or fifteen cows, and five more are owing to us for goods which the people take in exchange—­not money, which would not suit them as well.  We have fenced in plenty of grass, and I don’t wan’t to pay any more for keep.  Of course, we use a good deal of salt beef on shore here, as well as seek to supply the “Southern Cross” on her voyages.

’It is pleasant to walk about and see the farm and gardens thriving.  All being well, we shall have some 300 bananas next year, lots of sugar-canes; many fruit trees are being planted, pine-apples, coffee, &c.  Guavas grow here like weeds.  I don’t care for these things; but the others do, and of course the scholars rejoice in them.