’We had a council to-day of all the Church members to talk about how U—–­ was to be treated.  For himself, poor fellow, I should think kindness would be harder to bear than neglect.

’Mr. Codrington says, “On this occasion all the male Communicants went together to some little distance, where a group of boulders under the pines gave a convenient seat.  The Bishop set out the case, and asked what was the opinion of the elder boys as to the treatment of the offender.  They were left alone to consider; and when we came back, they gave their judgment, that he should not eat in the hall at what may be called the high table, that he should not teach in school, and should not come into Chapel.”

’This was of course what was intended, but the weight of the sentence so given was greater with the school, and a wholesome lesson given to the judges.  How soon the Bishop’s severity, which never covered his pity, gave way to his affection for one of his oldest and dearest pupils, and his tenderness for the penitent, and how he took a large share of blame upon himself, just where it was not due, can well be understood by all who knew him.’

There was soon a brighter day.  On January 25, writes Mr. Atkin:—­

’We had a great day.  In the morning some who were baptized last summer were confirmed, and at night there were baptized three girls and thirteen boys.  Most of them were quite little fellows.  I don’t think any of us will easily forget their grave and sober but not shy looks, as one by one they stepped up to the Bishop.  I think that all understood and meant what they said, that Baptism was no mere form with them, but a real solemn compact.  All who were in my class (nine), or the Sunday morning school, were baptized in the evening.  While we were standing round the font, I thought of you at home, and half wished that you could have seen us there.  I was witness for my son (Wate); he was called Joseph, so that I shall lose my name that I have kept so long.’

Joseph Wate, the little Malanta boy, was always viewed by the Atkin family as a kind of child, and kept up a correspondence with his godfather’s sister, Mother Mary as he called her.

On the same day the Bishop wrote to Judge Pohlman:-

’My very dear Friend,—­I must not let our correspondence drop, and the less likely it seems to be that we may meet, the more I must seek to retain your friendship, by letting you know not only the facts that occur here, but my thoughts and hopes and fears about them.’

(Then, after mentioning the recent transgression, the letter continues respecting the youth.)

’His fright and terror, his misery and deep sorrow, and (I do believe) godly repentance, make me say that he is still, as I trust, one of our best scholars.  But it is very sad.  For three weeks he did not come even into chapel with us.  He not only acquiesced, but wished that it should be so.