Introduction, 
19 
but I was unharmed. I felt that a Hfe thus spared 
should be devoted to God. 
On my arrival at the Assembly, I found Mr. Barton 
anxiously looking out for a man for the East African 
Mission. He appealed to me, but so important a 
matter was not to be decided in an instant, and I 
hesitated. Having given the matter, however, my 
most serious consideration, I placed myself in the 
hands of the missionary committee. 
A severe trial, however, awaited me. Just as I was 
preparing to meet the committee I received the 
startling intelligence of the death of my brother, who 
had been labouring as a missionary in Sierra Leone. 
It was a heavy blow to me, and I could not help 
thinking of a mother whose heart I knew w^ould be 
rent in twain by this bereavement, and to whom the 
prospect of my own departure would now become 
doubly painful. My affliction was intensified by the 
thought of hers. I hastened at once to her side, that 
I might share, if I could not relieve, her sorrow. I 
found her greatly bowled down by grief, but meekly 
submitting herself to the Divine will. She inter- 
posed no obstacle to the course I was taking, so that 
my duty was plain. I met the missionary committee, 
and was assigned to the work in East Africa, 
The committee was anxious that I should leave as 
soon as possible, delay for many reasons being unde- 
sirable. The overland route was chosen as speediest. 
It was hoped that I might meet with a vessel at Aden, 
bound for Zanzibar ; otherwise I was to proceed to 
Bombay, and from thence, by any opportunity that 
might present itself, across the Indian Ocean to 
Zanzibar. . 
