We entered the Free Mason Hotel, the dining room of which was crowded. Seating ourselves at a table he gave his order for a beefsteak; and I was too good a Britisher to refuse the same. While we were waiting, he asked if I were acquainted with his brother. I answered that I was, having worked for the same institution which employed him, for a number of years. At his request I gave him such information as I possessed about Brother John Alford and his family, and by this time the steaks were ready, and he proceeded to eat his hurriedly. I saw there was no time for talking, unless I wished to lose my dinner, so I plied knife and fork vigorously. When we were through he paid the charge, and we walked out. Then he asked how long I had been in Australia. I answered: "About two months." "How long shall you stay?" "Until to-morrow at one o'clock, when I leave for New Zealand by the steamer _Wakatipu_." "Are you a Mormon Elder?" "Yes, sir." "Do you travel like my brother did when he was preaching in England what you folks call the gospel--without purse or scrip?" "Yes, sir." "It is a very strange faith you people have. He never did any work while he was in England preaching, but he could go anywhere he wanted to go--while I, who was always working, never had either time or money to go anywhere. Curious, isn't it?" "Yes, sir--our faith is a strange one to the world. But we are placed in such a position that we have learned to rely upon God, our Eternal Father, whose gospel we are preaching. We know that while we are executing His commands, He will provide the means." Mr. Alford shook his head incredulously, and muttered: "Queer faith--strange faith--I can't see it. I am busy now. Come to-morrow at twelve o'clock. I will meet you at the post office. I want to see you." I replied: "I must leave at one o'clock. I will scarcely have time to meet you." "Nonsense! Come. That steamer won't sail before four or five o'clock." Promptly at the appointed time the next day I was at the post office, and again met Mr. Alford. He shook me warmly by the hand and said: "I expect, young man, you haven't got very much money." "You are right," I answered. In purchasing my ticket to Littleton I had expended my last shilling. My destination was the town of Rangiora, some distance from Port Littleton, and I needed means to pay my fare to that place. Mr. Alford pressed ten shillings in my hand, at the same time saying: "I do not understand how you folks can travel without purse or scrip." I could have explained to him how his ten shillings had relieved me, and enabled me to fulfill the commands of my Master; but I saw that he was a business man--skeptical and unapproachable to the message which I was bearing to the world, and I made no attempt to encroach further upon his time.