86 
GOD'S BLACK DIAMONDS. 
when they went off in their canoes to fish, and by 
giving a helping hand at farm work, etc., had 
succeeded in earning a livelihood for them both. 
I knew this perfectly well, and was astonished at 
granny's request. I could not say Yes to her 
offer until I had pointed out what the loss of the 
services of Thomas would mean to her, and asked 
her if she had considered it well. Her reply was 
Christ-like in its nobility surely. This is what she 
said : *^ I fit to see now to grow chop. Pm old too 
much, and no fit to want new gown. God do plenty 
good thing for me. Our country needs plenty 
man to teach the people His palaver (gospel), so 
that their hearts might catch rest and food. I beg 
you take Thomas and make him God-palaver man, 
that my heart may be glad.'* Splendid, was it 
not? Had not she joy in giving? Again, I think 
of the last missionary meeting I held at Oron. The 
Missionary Anniversary is a big time in Fernando 
Poo, Nigeria, and indeed all our missions. In the 
Oron Country, the people bring their gifts in. 
They don't wait for the missionary to go round 
collecting them. Theirs is really the right way, 
don't you think ? One of those who came to see 
me during the morning of the Missionary Meeting 
Day was a scholar in the Training Institute — John 
Etaji. His mother was a widow living on one of 
our Missons in Fernando Poo. She had managed 
to save three pounds to pay for her son's keep at the 
Institute for eighteen months or so, and had a little 
to spare for Etaji's pocket to meet the little ex- 
penses occurring during his stay. That amount he 
handed over to me to keep in safety for him. He 
felt it was in sure keeping when it lived for 
