56 DAVID LIVINGSTONE. [chap. in. 



Returning to Kuruman from this journey, in June 

 1843, Livingstone was delighted to find at length a 

 letter from the Directors of the Society authorising the 

 formation of a settlement in the regions beyond. He 

 found another letter that greatly cheered him, from a 

 Mrs. M 'Robert, the wife of an Independent minister at 

 Cambuslang (near Blantyre), who had collected and now 

 sent him £12 for a native agent, and was willing, 

 on the part of some young friends, to send presents 

 of clothing for the converts. In acknowledging this 

 letter, Livingstone poured out his very heart, so full 

 was he of gratitude and delight. He entreated the 

 givers to consider Mebalwe as their own agent, and 

 to concentrate their prayers upon him, for prayer, he 

 thought, was always more efficacious when it could be 

 said, " One thing have I desired of the Lord." As to 

 the present of clothing, he simply entreated his friends 

 to send nothing of the kind; such things demoralised 

 the recipients and bred endless jealousies. If he were 

 allowed to charge something for the clothes, he would be 

 pleased to have them, but on no other terms. 



Writing to the Secretary of the Society, Rev. A. 

 Tidman (24th June 1843), and referring to the past success 

 of the Mission in the nearer localities, he says : — "If you 

 could realise this fact as fully as those on the spot can, 

 you would be able to enter into the feelings of irrepressible 

 delight with which I hail the decision of the Directors 

 that we go forward to the dark interior. May the Lord 

 enable me to consecrate my whole being to the glorious 

 work 1 " 



In this communication to the Directors Livingstone 

 modestly, but frankly and firmly, gives them his mind on 

 some points touched on in their letter to him. In regard 

 to his favourite measure — native agency — he is glad 

 that a friend has remitted money for the employment of 

 one agent, and that others have promised the means of 



