Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian IslandsYonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Religion
Life of John Coleridge Patteson : Missionary Bishop of the Melanesian Islands
Yonge, Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary)
Missions -- Melanesia; Patteson, John Coleridge, 1827-1871
Old ties of friendship already mentioned made the Bishop and Mrs. Selwyn
promise to spend a few days at Feniton; and on the 19th of August the
New Zealand guests arrived at Feniton. After joining in the family
welcome, Coley went apart, and gave way to a great burst of tears, due,
perhaps, not so mueh to disappointed ardour, as to the fervent emotion
excited by the actual presence of a hero of the Church Militant, who
had so long been the object of deep silent enthusiasm. The next morning,
Coley walked from Alfington to breakfast at home, and afterwards went
into the garden with the Bishop, who led him to talk freely of his
present work in all its details. By-and-by the question arose, Did it
satisfy him?
Yes, the being near his father satisfied him that it was right for the
present, but at some future time, he hoped to do more, go perhaps to
some great manufacturing town, or, as he could not help going on to say,
what he should like would be to go out as a missionary, only the thought
of his father withheld him.
'But,' replied the Bishop, 'if you think about doing a thing of that
sort, it should not be put off till you are getting on in life. It
should be done with your full strength and vigour.'
Then followed an endeavour on both sides to ascertain whether the
inclination was a real earnest desire, or only fancy for the romance of
mission work. The test might be whether he were willing to go wherever
he might be sent, or only where he was most interested. Coley replied,
that he was willing to work anywhere, adding that his sister Fanny could
testify whether his desire were a real one of long standing or the mere
outcome of a fit of enthusiasm.
Therewith they separated, and Coley, going straight to Fanny, told her
what had passed: 'I could not help it,' he said:--'I told the Bishop of
my wish.'
'You ought to put it to my father, that he may decide it,' she answered;
'he is so great a man that he ought not to be deprived of the crown of
the sacrifice if he be willing to make it.'
So Coley repaired to his father, and confessed his long cherished
wish, and how it had come forth to the Bishop. Sir John was manifestly
startled; but at once said: 'You have done quite right to speak to me,
and not to wait. It is my first impulse to say No, but that would be
very selfish.'
Coley explained that he was 'driven to speak;' he declared himself not
dissatisfied with his present position, nor he hoped, impatient. If his
staying at home were decided upon, he would cheerfully work on there
without disappointment or imagining his wishes thwarted. He would leave
the decision entirely in the hands of his father and the Bishop.
Luncheon brought the whole family together; and Sir John, making room
for his younger daughter beside him, said, 'Fan, did you know this about
Coley?'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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