’I talk with them about common things, and learn a great deal of their wild savage customs and habits, but I can do but little as yet in the way of real instruction.  Some ideas, I trust, they are beginning to acquire concerning our Blessed Lord.  Is it not a significant fact that the god worshiped in Gfera, and in one village of Bauro, is the Serpent, the very type of evil?  I need not say that these dear boys have won their way to my heart, they are most docile and affectionate.  I think some will really, if they live, leave their own island and live with me at Norfolk Island, or here, or wherever my dwelling may be whenever I am not in the “Southern Cross.”

’But of course I must not dwell on such notions.  If it come to pass that for some years I can retain a hold upon them, they may be instructed sufficiently to make them teachers in their turn to their own people.  But all this is in the hands of God.  My home journal will tell you particulars of our voyage.  Don’t believe in the ferocity, &c., of the islanders.  When their passions are excited, they do commit fearful deeds, and they are almost universally cannibals, i.e. after a battle there will be always a cannibal feast, not otherwise.  But treat them well and prudently, and I apprehend that there is little danger in visiting them, meaning by visiting merely landing on the beach the first time, going perhaps to a native village the next time, sleeping on shore the third, spending ten days the fourth, &c., &c.  The language once learnt from the pupils we bring away, all is clear.  And now good-bye, my dear Miss Neill.  That I think of you and pray for you, you know, and I need not add that I value most highly your prayers for me.  When I think of my happiness and good spirits, I must attribute much, very much, to God’s goodness in accepting the prayers of my friends.’

After the old custom of telling the home party all his doings, the journal-letter of the 27th of November goes through the teaching to the Bauro boys:—­

’I really think they comprehend thus much, that God, who made all things, made man, Adam and Eve, very good and holy; that Adam and Eve sinned, that they did not listen to the word of God, but to the Bad Spirit; that God found them out, though they were afraid and tried to hide (for He sees and knows all things); that He drove them out of the beautiful garden, and said that they must die; that they had two sons, Cain and Abel; that Cain killed his brother, and that all fighting and killing people, and all other sins (I mention all for which I have names) came into the world because of sin; that God and man were far apart, not living near, no peace between them because men were so evil.  That God was so good that He loved men all the time, and that He promised to save all men who would believe in His Son Jesus Christ, who was to die for them (for I can’t yet express, “was to die that men might not go down to the fire, but live for ever with God “); that by