’Then from Nengone, where you remember Mr. Nihill died after eighteen months’ residence on the island, we have four men and two women, both married.  Of these, two men and both the women have been baptized, some time ago, by the Bishop, in 1852, and one by the London Mission, who now occupy the island.  These four I have, with full trust, admitted to the Holy Communion.  Mr. Nihill had taught them well, and I am sure they could pass an examination in Scriptural history, simple doctrinal statements, &c., as well as most young English people of the middle class of life.  The other two are well taught, and one of them knows a great deal, but, poor fellow, he misconducted himself at Nengone, and hence I cannot recommend him to the Bishop for baptism without much talk about him.

’But I think my love is more poured out upon my Bauro and Gera lads.  They are such dear fellows, and I trust that already they begin to know something about religion.  Certain it is that they answer readily questions and say with their mouths what amounts almost to a statement of the most important Christian truths.  Of course I cannot tell what effect this may have on their hearts.  They join in prayer morning and evening, they behave admirably, and really there is nothing in their conduct to find fault with.  If it please God that any of them were at some future time to stay again with us, I have great hopes that they may learn enough to become teachers in their own country.

’The Nengone lads are quite in a different position.  Their language has been reduced to writing, the Gospel of St. Mark translated, and they can all read a little English, so that at evening prayers we read a verse all round, and then I catechise and expound to them in Nengone.

’I really trust that by God’s blessing some real opening into the great Solomon group has been effected.  There is every hope that many boys will join us this next voyage.  No one can say what may be the result.  As yet it is possible to get on without more help, but I do not for a moment doubt that should God really grant not only a wide field of labour, but some such hope of cultivating it, He will send forth plenty of men to share in this work.  Men who have some means of their own—­£100 a year is enough, or even less—­or some aptitude for languages, surely will feel drawn in this direction.  It is the happiest life a man can lead, full of enjoyment, physical and mental, exquisite scenery, famous warm climate, lots of bathing, yams and taro and cocoa-nut enough to make an alderman’s mouth water, and such loving, gentle people.  But of course something depends on the way in which a man looks at these things, and a fine gentleman who can’t get on without his servant, and can’t put his luggage for four months into a compass of six feet by one-and-a-half, won’t like it....