d out how many occurred on
the first page. Fixing these in his mind, he came running to me, and
said, "I have lifted up A B C. They are here in my head and I will hold
them fast. Give me other three."

This was repeated time after time. He mastered the whole Alphabet, and
soon began to spell out the smaller words. Indeed, he came so often,
getting me to read it over and over, that before he himself could read
it freely, he had it word for word committed to memory. When strangers
passed him, or young people came around, he would get out the little
book, and say, "Come, and I will let you hear how the book speaks our
own Aniwan words. You say, it is hard to learn to read and make it
speak. But be strong to try! If an old man like me has done it, it ought
to be much easier for you."

One day I heard him read to a company with wonderful fluency. Taking the
book, I asked him to show me how he had learned to read so quickly.
Immediately I perceived that he could recite the whole from memory! He
became our right-hand helper in the Conversion of Aniwa.

Next after God's own Word, perhaps the power of Music was most amazingly
blessed in opening up our way. Amongst many other illustrations, I may
mention how Namakei's wife was won. The old lady positively shuddered at
coming near the Mission House, and dreaded being taught anything. One
day she was induced to draw near the door, and fixing a hand on either
post, and gazing inwards, she exclaimed, "Awai, Missi! Kai, Missi!"--the
Native cry for unspeakable wonder. Mrs. Paton began to play on the
harmonium, and sang a simple hymn in the old woman's language.
Manifestly charmed, she drew nearer and nearer, and drank in the music,
as it were, at every pore of her being. At last she ran off, and we
thought it was with fright, but it was to call together all the women
and girls from her village "to hear the _bokis_ sing!" (Having no _x_,
the word _box_ is pronounced thus.) She returned with them all at her
heels. They listened with dancing eyes. And ever after the sound of a
hymn, and the song of the _bokis_, made them flock freely to class or
meeting.

Being myself as nearly as possible destitute of the power of singing,
all my work would have been impaired and sadly hindered, and the joyous
side of the Worship and Service of Jehovah could not have been presented
to the Natives, but for the gift bestowed by the Lord on my dear wife.
She led our songs of praise, both in the Family a