all the
response. In reading accounts of South Sea missions it is
hard to believe the quickness of the vegetation of the good
seed, but I know several of the men" [the South Sea
missionaries], "and am sure they are of unimpeachable
veracity. In trying to convey knowledge, and use the magic
lantern, which is everywhere extremely popular, though they
listen with apparent delight to what is said, questioning
them on the following night reveals almost entire ignorance
of the previous lesson. O that the Holy Ghost might enlighten
them! To his soul-renewing influence my longing soul is
directed. It is his word, and cannot die."

The long absence of Livingstone and the want of letters had caused great
anxiety to his friends. The Moffats had been particularly concerned
about him, and, in 1854, partly in the hope of hearing of him, Mr.
Moffat undertook a visit to Mosilikatse, while a box of goods and
comforts was sent to Linyanti to await his return, should that ever take
place. A letter from Mrs. Moffat accompanied the box. It is amusing to
read her motherly explanations about the white shirts, and the blue
waistcoat, the woolen socks, lemon juice, quince jam, and tea and
coffee, some of which had come all the way from Hamilton; but there are
passages in that little note that make one's heart go with rapid beat:

"MY DEAR SON LIVINGSTON,--Your present position is almost too
much for my weak nerves to suffer me to contemplate. Hitherto
I have kept up my spirits, and been enabled to believe that
our great Master may yet bring you out in safety, for though
his ways are often inscrutable, I should have clung to the
many precious promises made in his word as to temporal
preservation, such as the 91st and 121st Psalms--but have
been taught that we may not presume confidently to expect
them to be fulfilled, and that every petition, however
fervent, must be with devout submission to his will. My poor
sister-in-law clung tenaciously to the 91st Psalm, and firmly
believed that her dear husband would thus be preserved, and
never indulged the idea that they should never meet on earth.
But I apprehend submission was wanting. 'If it be Thy will,'
I fancy she could not say--and, therefore, she was utterly
confounded when the news came[42]. She had exercised strong
faith, and was disappointed. Bear Livi