1857-58-] FIRST VISIT HOME. 229 



knowledge of the effect which this might have upon his 

 own character, and his reputation before the Church and 

 the world, is evident from his correspondence with one of 

 his most intimate friends and trusted counsellors, Mr. 

 J. B. Braithwaite, of Lincoln's Inn. Though himself a 

 member of the Society of Friends, Mr. Braithwaite was 

 desirous that Dr. Livingstone should continue to appear 

 before the public as a Christian minister : — 



" To dissolve thy connection with the Missionary Society would at 

 once place thee before the public in an aspect wholly distinct from 

 that in which thou art at present, and, what is yet more important, 

 would in a greater or less degree, and, perhaps, very gradually and 

 almost insensibly to thyself, turn the current of thy own thoughts 

 and feelings away from those channels of usefulness and service, as a 

 minister of the gospel, with which I cannot doubt thy deepest interest 

 and highest aspirations are inseparably associated." 



On Dr. Livingstone explaining that, while he fully 

 appreciated these views, it did not appear to him con- 

 sistent with duty to be receiving the pay of a working 

 missionary while engaged to a considerable extent in 

 scientific exploration, Mr. Braithwaite expressed anew 

 his sympathy for his feelings, and respect for his decision, 

 but not as one quite convinced : — 



" Thy heart is bound, as I truly believe, in its inmost depths to the 

 service of Christ. This is the ' one thing ' which, through all, it is thy 

 desire to keep in view. And my fear has been lest the severing of 

 thy connection with a recognised religious body should lead any to 

 suppose that thy Christian interests were in the least weakened ; or 

 that thou wast now going forth with any lower aim than the advance- 

 ment of the Redeemer's kingdom. Such a circumstance would be deeply 

 to be regretted, for thy character is now, if I may so speak, not thy 

 own, but the common property, in a certain sense, of British Christianity, 

 and anything which tended to lower thy high standing would cast a 

 reflection on the general cause." 



The result showed that Mr. Braithwaite was right as 

 to the impression likely to be made on the public ; but 

 the contents of this volume amply prove that the impres- 

 sion was wrong. 



