’I am half disposed to ordain George Priest on my return (D.V.) Yet on the whole I think it may be better to wait till another year.  But I am balancing considerations.  Should any delay occur from my incapacity to go to Mota, which I don’t at all anticipate, it would be a serious thing to leave such a work in the hands of a Deacon, e.g. ten communicants are permanent dwellers now in Mota; and I really believe that George, though not learned, is in all essentials quite a fit person to be ordained Priest.  This growth of the work, owing, no doubt, much to him, is a proof of God’s blessing on him.

’I pray God that this may be a little gleam of light to cheer you, dear friends, on your far more toilsome and darksome path.  It is a little indeed in one sense; yet to me, who know the insufficiency of the human agency, it is a proof indeed that the Gospel is dunamis Theou eis soterian.

’I can hardly realize it all yet.  It is good to be called away from it for a month or two.  I often wished that Codrington, Palmer, and the rest could be with me:  it seemed selfish to be witnessing by myself all this great happiness—­that almost visible victory over powers of darkness.

’There is little excitement, no impulsive vehement outpouring of feeling.  People come and say, “I do see the evil of the old life; I do believe in what you teach us.  I feel in my heart new desires, new wishes, new hopes.  The old life has become hateful to me; the new life is full of joy.  But it is so mawa (weighty), I am afraid.  What if after making these promises I go back?”

“What do you doubt—­God’s power and love, or your own weakness?”

’"I don’t doubt His power and love; but I am afraid.”

’"Afraid of what?”
’"Of falling away.”

’"Doesn’t He promise His help to those who need it?”

’"Yes, I know that.” 
’"Do you pray?”

’"I don’t know how to pray properly, but I and my wife say—­God, make our hearts light.  Take away the darkness.  We believe that you love us because you sent Jesus to become a Man and die for us, but we can’t understand it all.  Make us fit to be baptized.”

’"If you really long to lead a new life, and pray to God to strengthen you, come in faith, without doubting.”

’Evening by evening my school with the baptized men and women is the saying by heart (at first sentence by sentence after me, now they know them well) the General Confession, which they are taught to use in the singular number, as a private prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the ten Commandments (a short version).  They are learning the Te Deum.  They use a short prayer for grace to keep their baptismal vows.

’I think that they know fairly well the simpler meaning of these various compendiums of Prayer, Faith and Duty.  But why enter into details?  You know all about it.  And, indeed, you have all had your large share, so to say, in bringing about this happy change.