It is distressing to have to report that Nickie took few pains to encourage his preceptor.  He was lazy, he sometimes forgot to shave, he often forgot to bath, he was not always temperate; but the Rev. James bore it all with unconquerable patience.  If Nickie was lazy, he talked with him like a brother of the twin virtues, industry and thrift; if he were unwashed, he explained to him that cleanliness was next to godliness:  if he seemed to, have gazed too, long upon the wine when it was red, or the beer when it foamed in the bowl, the clergyman pointed out the advantage of strict sobriety, and earnestly besought Nicholas Crips to strive for higher things and the true light.

The Rev. James Nippit was not discouraged.  He saw Nickie often clean, usually decently attired, generally fairly decent in his behaviour, and always respectful in his manner, and believed the seed of righteous was sprouting; but Nickie was living comfortably, he was being well fed and well bedded, and was careful not to over-exert himself in the pursuit of his duties; consequently, it was easy for him to maintain a certain show of decorum.

After Nickie the Kid had been under the tutelage of the Rev. James for about three weeks, the latter was puzzled to find that Mr. Crips was far from penniless.  Now Nickie was paid nothing his services, but every week a small sum, representing his wages, was paid into the Savings Bank, and the deposit was to be transferred to him when he gave proof of complete and perfect regeneration.  When asked to account for a bottle of whisky found in his room, and for a burst of inebriety that represented a good deal in spot cash, Nickie quibbled.  The quibble was obvious even to an innocent soul like James.  James was hurt, but he persisted.

Nickie was content to have the experiment continue, but he held out no great hopes.  “You know,” he said, “this is your scheme, not mine.  You, as it were, forced me to submit.  You said you’d reform me in spite of myself.  Well, I am patient, and you are earnest, but we don’t seem to make much progress.”

For seven weeks the Rev. James Nippit continued experimenting and never once lost faith.

James Nippit’s pet work was in connection with his reform movement, the Young Men’s Mission, a design for upraising the youths of the larrikin and criminal classes.  The Young Men’s Mission had attracted some attention, people were found willing to contribute to the good work, and this fact gave rise to some imposition.  Uncertified persons of bad character were found to be collecting for the fund and appropriating the money to their own use.  This caused James much distress of mind.

One Sunday afternoon when driving from his Sunday School the Rev. Nippit was hailed by a trusted friend, who said: 

“For the last ten minutes I have been listening to a man preaching on the sands down there.  He represents himself as one of the leaders of the Young Men’s Mission Movement, and I am confident he is an impostor.  If he is, it is your duty to expose him.”