The weather was exceedingly bad, drenching rain continually, yet the Bishop continued unusually well.  His heart might well be cheered, when, on that Sunday evening in the dark, he was thus accosted:—­

’I have for days been watching for a chance of speaking to you alone!  Always so many people about you.  My heart is so full, so hot every word goes into it, deep deep.  The old life seems a dream.  Everything seems to be new.  When a month ago I followed you out of the Said Goro, you said that if I wanted to know the meaning and power of this teaching, I must pray!  And I tried to pray, and it becomes easier as every day I pray as I go about, and in the morning and evening; and I don’t know how to pray as I ought, but my heart is light, and I know it’s all true, and my mind is made up, and I have been wanting to tell you, and so is Sogoivnowut, and we four talk together, and all want to be baptized.’

This man had spent one season at St. John’s, seven years before; but on his return home had gone back to the ordinary island life, until at last the good seed was beginning to take root.

The next Sunday, the 2nd of July, ninety-seven children were baptized, at four villages, chosen as centres to which the adjacent ones could bring their children.  It was again a wet day, but the rain held up at the first two places.  The people stood or sat in a great half-circle, from which the eldest children, four or five years old, walked out in a most orderly manner, the lesser ones were carried up by their parents, and out of the whole ninety-seven only four cried!  The people all behaved admirably, and made not a sound.  At the last two places there was a deluge of rain; but as sickness prevailed in them, it was not thought well to defer the Baptism.

’It was a day full of thankful and anxious feelings.  I was too tired, and too much concerned with details of arrangements, new names, &c., to feel the more contemplative devotional part of the whole day’s services till the evening.  Then, for I could not sleep for some hours, it came on me; and I thought of the old times too, the dear Bishop’s early visits, my own fourteen years’ acquaintance with this place, the care taken by many friends, past and present members of the Mission.  The Sunday Collects as we call them, St. Michael’s, All Saints’, Saint Simon and St. Jude’s calmed me, and my Sunday prayer, (that beautiful prayer in the Ordination of Priests, ‘Almighty God and Heavenly Father,’ slightly altered) was very full of meaning.  So, thank God, one great step has been taken, a great responsibility indeed, but I trust not rashly undertaken.’

On July 4 the ‘Southern Cross’ returned, and the cruise among the New Hebrides was commenced.  Mr. Bice was left to make a fortnight’s visit at Leper’s Island; and the Bishop, going on to Mai, found only three men on the beach, where there used to be hundreds, and was advised not to go to Tariko, as there had been fighting.