Preface. 
vii 
Money, which seems the most important thing in this day, is 
scarcely alluded to in the evangelistic work of early days; and 
even when Paul refers to it in such words as, " Ye sent once and 
again unto my necessity," he adds, " Not that I speak in respect 
of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therein to be 
content/' The God of the first century of Christianity is the God 
of its nineteenth century; and we trust that these journals will stir 
up many to seek in their missionary work more hallowed conformity 
to the Lord and to those who truly followed Him at the first. 
For any who may be contemplating missionary work we add 
a few remarks on some pre-requisites which call for careful 
consideration. 
(1) Fixedness of purpose. In appealing to Timothy the apostle 
could remind him, " Thou hast fully known ... my purpose." 
His work was not the result of a sudden impulse, but of a settled 
purpose, probably formed in those solitary years which he passed 
with God in Arabia. The writer of these pages was led to 
dedicate himself in his youth to Central Africa, his interest in that 
continent having been awakened, when he was quite a child, by 
hearing Dr. Livingstone speak in Hamilton in 1864, after his 
return from one of his great journeys. Obstacles and discourage- 
ments were met with by Mr. Arnot ; but these do not hinder a 
true purpose; they only prove helps to the faith of one who is 
really called of God. 
(2) Preparation for the work. The stones of the temple had to 
be carefully prepared, and the stones that were to slay Goliath 
must be smooth ones. The servant of God needs a human as 
well as a divine preparation. By many the former is forgotten, 
and by others it is made the all-in-all. The preparation must vary 
according to the sphere which is to be entered upon. For 
pioneer work in Central Africa and among savage tribes the 
blacksmith's forge, the carpenter's shop, and the medical class 
will all prove helpful, as Mr. Arnot has found. 
(3) Patience and forbearance. We join these together, for 
patience in our own hearts will lead to forbearance with others. 
Dr. Moffat's advice to our young friend before he left was, 
" Have patience, patience, patience, and then you will succeed." 
The list of evidences of apostleship, given in 2 Corinthians 
xii. 12, is headed with, '•''In all patience.'' And, again, Paul puts 
