1 8 Wajiderings in Eastern Africa. 
earnestly for a colleague, and the committee was 
anxious to comply. The need was pressing and 
paramount. The position was a most critical one. 
Delay might have proved fatal to the cause, yet 
undue haste might have been equally disastrous. 
The committee again appealed to the churches 
for offers of service, at the same time looking abroad 
themselves, if haply they might find the man they 
required. 
In July, 1862, the Annual Assembly of the Free 
Churches opened its sittings in Bristol. At this 
critical period another trial befel the mission. The 
Rev. R. Eckett, the able missionary secretary, died 
suddenly. He was a man of extraordinary ability, 
and had taken a special interest and a leading part 
in the organization and fitting out of the East African 
Mission. His death therefore at this juncture was 
felt to be particularly trying. This loss, however, 
was supplied by the appointment of the Rev. S. S. 
Barton to the vacant post. Mr. Barton entered into 
the work with great spirit, and did his utmost to 
meet the exigencies of the case. The great need 
now was a man who could be sent out to the support 
of Mr. Wakefield. 
I had watched with great interest the progress of 
the mission up to this point, but had no idea that I 
should be called upon to take an active part in its 
operations. In the providence of God, however, I 
had the honour to attend the sittings of the Annual 
Assembly. On my way thither I met with an 
accident by rail, which made a powerful impression 
on my mind. We came into collision with a luggage 
train. It was a terrible crash ; many were injured, 
