History of the “Dayspring.” 63 
,expenses connected with their education, he cannot consent to remain in 
the ‘ Dayspring’ after the expiry of his present engagement. 
24. That as Captain Fraser has tendered his resignation, this meeting 
in the circumstances agrees to accept the same, and to record the obliga- 
tions of the mission to Captain Fraser for his Christian and gentlemanly 
conduct, and the skill and care with which he has sailed the ‘ Dayspring’ 
during the eight years he has been in command of the vessel, and their 
best wishes for the usefulness and happiness of himself and his family; 
and that a sum of two hundred and twenty pounds (£220) be allowed him 
as payment for their passage from Melbourne to Halifax. 
In addition to the testimony of the missionaries in favour of 
Captain Fraser’s character and seamanship, we give the follow- 
ing brief extracts, showing how he was appreciated in Victoria :— 
From the Melbourne ‘Christian Review.” 
The good captain is anxious at length to retire. He has had charge 
of the ‘ Dayspring’ since she was launched in Nova Scotia in 1863, 
and we own that it is not without a pang that we can think of the mis- 
sion, vessel and the mission work with Captain Fraser away. The popu- 
larity of the ‘ Dayspring’ in the colonies is due very much to Captain 
Fraser, and it is even a question whether the mission vessel would now 
be in existence but, under God, for the seamanship and self-denial of 
her commander. It is no light task to sail a vessel for so many years: 
among the shoals and reefs of Polynesia without shipwreck; to have 
much intercourse with many native tribes and races without a collision ; 
to control a crew without insubordination; to convey so many mission 
families without a complaint; and to maintain the missionary character 
of the ‘Dayspring’ in so many of the ports of Australasia—and this 
Captain Fraser has done. It will be very hard indeed to get a man to 
fill his place. 
From the Report of the New Hebrides Mission Committee of the General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. 
The committee regret much to learn that the captain of the mission 
vessel has resigned his command. Captain Fraser is well known in the 
colonies as a gentleman eminently fitted by character and skill for the 
position which he has occupied; and the usefulness of the ‘ Dayspring,’ 
both in'the colonies and among the islands, is due very much, under 
God, to Captain Fraser’s wisdom and care. The committee feel deeply 
that his retirement is a loss to the mission. 
