50 LFfistory of the “ Dayspring. 
her crippled consort, in case of any emergency by the way. 
The “ Dayspring ” attended the “ John Williams” to the Aus- 
tralian coast, and yet she was back again on her own field within 
five weeks. The “John Williams” was lost soon thereafter on 
Savage island ; the fine vessel herself and every article on board 
going down into the deep, though, happily, there was time to 
save the lives of the passengers and crew. 
The “ Dayspring” this year settled Mr. and Mrs. Copeland 
on Fotuna, Mr. and Mrs. Paton on Aniwa, Mr. and Mrs. Cosh 
on Efatt, and Mr. and Mrs. McNair on Eramanga; and be- 
sides, acted as a very considerable check on kidnapping traders, 
whose evil deeds began now to be felt on the New Hebrides 
group. 
The question of the support of the “ Dayspring” was by this 
time becoming an anxious question to all the friends of the New 
Hebrides mission. Experience proved that the cost of her 
maintenance would be considerably higher than was anticipated. 
Mr. Paton had made three visits to the colonies, and had 
raised large sums, especially in Victoria, through his appeals ; 
but it was felt that spasmodic efforts could not be depended 
on. No fewer than ten churches were looked to, to provide 
forthe support of the mission vessel, some of them being small, and 
more than one of whom had already failed to furnish theirexpected 
contributions. In these circumstances, it was resolved, at a con- 
ference between representatives of the mission (Dr. Geddie and 
Mr. Paton) and the Mission Committee of the General As- 
sembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, that Mel- 
bourne should become the head quarters of the “ Dayspring ” in 
the colonies, on the understanding that the Victorian church, be- 
ing the largest and wealthiest church supporting the mission, 
should guarantee the maintenance of the vessel—that church 
receiving from the other churches a fair proportion of the whole 
cost. On this arrangement the “ Dayspring” came to Mel- 
bourne in January, 1867 ; and, from that time till the end of her 
