any leader. To bring all these up before the tribunal of
their own consciences as to the extent to which they had discharged all
the obligations they took upon them when they first engaged to form and
lead on the forces whose duties, in so vast a territory, must be too
varied and too difficult to prescribe by any fixed routine, could not
but be of priceless value. Would to God that all persons engaged in
missionary work were periodically passed through such examinations, by
fire! How easily may any one in such solitary spheres yield to
discouragement, or to some ill-feeling towards a predecessor in the same
appointment, or towards some leader who has not seemed sympathetic
enough!

Remembering that each of these has to go back to some position of lonely
toil, with no guarantee of salary, and no prospect of improving
circumstances, in a country whose large towns could be counted on the
fingers of one hand, you can understand the supreme importance and the
after-effect of such Meetings. The letter goes on:--

"On this and the previous day, my host, the Doctor, had invited
guests to meet me at luncheon. Yesterday we had the ministers, who
were mostly very friendly and sympathetic. As the Doctor put it,
'To-day we had the sinners,' who he reckoned were by far the most
enjoyable--Judges, Commissioners of Crown Lands, etc. All were very
respectful, and, to say the least of it, were in sympathy with my
Social scheme, if not actually having strong faith in its success.

"I had some further conversation with a member of the South African
Cabinet, who said he was on the most intimate terms both with the
leaders of the Afrikander Bund, and with Mr. Rhodes. He was quite
sure that however any one from political motives, might disguise
their feelings, they were equally in sympathy with me. We had some
conversation as to the co-operation of the authorities, supposing
lazy people turned out unwilling to carry out the engagements they
might sign in England. He said he felt sure if anything were
wanting in present law to ensure authority being respected, that it
would readily be remedied."

This has reference to the scheme of an Over-Sea Colony in South Africa
with which The General had been occupied ever since 1890. He, of course,
always foresaw the risk that persons, who were sent out in connexion
with such a plan, might see in the colonies an easi