“At the next house found a clay modeler at work. He had a book, and brought it to me—proved to be an English speller. It had a hymn in praise of mother-love, also a church—, and a Watt’s catechism. The latter I translated to him, giving me an opportunity to give much religious instruction.” This type of evangelistic work Dr. House very soon found to be much to his liking, and was surprised at his own versatility in religious conversation: “I ought to bless God for giving me, as I believe I have, some talent for entering into conversation with strangers, introducing the great subject to those casually met. I was in early youth sensible of a great lack of talent of this kind, but cultivated it and now I am not the same I once was.... O, Master, fill my heart with Thy love, and then my lips must always and to all speak forth Thy praise.” Occasionally he writes out an abstract of the conversation, especially if it had shown particular thought on the part of the interlocutor. A transcription of one of these entries will give a good idea of how the missionary “preaches”: “Going over into the palace of our prince, found several Nai, intelligent headmen—one a Khun—gathered on the porch of the audience hall. They invited me to sit down and answer questions, ‘talk about religion’ they said.... Our religion differs in this, for one thing; whereas your god Buddha was originally a man who by merit attained to divinity, ours was originally God, who took on him the nature of man. ‘But what did he do that he might become God?’ they asked. So I told of eternity and Jehovah. They asked if we were hired to come over here; surprised we had no temple with idols; never was a more excellent opportunity to make known God’s blessed truth, or more respectful attention—all friendly, civil. And to many, what I said had all the interest of novelty.... What were God’s commandments? Is Jesus then the Son of God? Can a Siamese man, if he repent, be saved? Can you become God, will you become a God at last? Why did not God create all men alike? Why must he needs try us on probation? In what direction is hell?—these and innumerable similar questions were proposed mostly in good faith. And grace was given me and utterance to give what seemed a satisfactory answer to most of them.” On another day, passing through the grounds of a watt, he was invited by a priest of his acquaintance to stop for a call. Tea was made ready and a pleasant discussion of religion ensued in the presence of several young priests: “One thing he could not get over, we killed animals. Yes, so do you, I told him; and explained about animalculæ in water—promised to let him see them through my microscope when it came.