’I think of the islands, and see them in my waking dreams, and it seems as if nothing was done.  But I think again of what it was only a very short time ago, and oh!  I do feel thankful indeed, and amazed, and almost fearful.  I should like much, if I am alive and well, to see my way to spending more of my time on the islands.  But the careful training of picked scholars for future missionaries is, I am sure, the most important part of our work (though it must be combined as much as possible with residence in the islands).  If I could feel that the school was well able to get on without me, I would be off to the islands for a good spell.  On the other hand, I feel most strongly that my chief business is to make such provision as I may for the multiplication of native missionaries, and the future permanent development and extension of the Mission; and to do this, our best scholars must be carefully trained, and then we may hope to secure a competent staff of native clergymen for the islands.

’Mind, I am not disposed to act in a hasty way.  Only I don’t mean to let conventional notions about an English clergyman hinder my providing Melanesian islands with a Melanesian ministry.  These scholars of ours know very much more, and I imagine possess qualifications of all kinds for their work in Melanesia, greater than the majority of the missionaries in the old missionary times.

’How many men did good work who could hardly read, only repeat a few portions of the Service-book, &c.!

’I need not say that we wish to educate them up to the maximum point of usefulness for their practical work.  But, given earnestness and steadfastness of character, a fair amount of teaching power, and a sound knowledge of fundamental truths, of the Church Services, and the meaning and spirit of the Prayer-book, and we may surely trust that, by God’s grace, they may execute the office of the Ministry to the glory of God, and the edification of the Church.

’They have now in Mota, in print, St. Luke, the Acts; soon will have St. John, which is all ready; the Prayer-book, save some of the Psalms, and a few other small portions.  And in Ms. they have a kind of manual of the Catechism, abstract of the Books of the Old Testament, papers on Prophecy, &c., &c.  All this work, once done in Mota, is, without very much labour, to be transferred into Bauro, Mahaga, Mara, &c., &c. as I hope; but that is in the future.’

In the birthday letter to his sister Fanny, his chilly nature confesses that August cold was making itself felt; and it was becoming time for him to make a journey to the settled world, both on account of a small tumour under his eyelid, and of the state of his teeth.  Moreover, no letters from home had reached him since the 2nd of March.  But he writes on the 7th of September to his brother:—­