However, there are indications that his arguments were as much to repress his own idea as to confute the bantering. During those years he was a permanent guest at the family of the Mattoons. He frequently expresses generous appreciation of sharing the home comforts of his friends, and confesses that he did not know how he could have gotten along without this domestic care of Mrs. Mattoon. Thus while stoically denying the need of a wife he gratefully accepts the ministrations of the wife of his colleague. Then, after having married and having fully settled in a home of his own, his real feelings assert themselves, for he writes, upon return to Siam: “And mine, too, is a pleasant home, the one to which four weary months voyaging have brought me, a pleasanter home than once—for it has a new inmate. Taking such a partner into the concern is indeed a great addition to a bachelor establishment.” And a year later: “You don’t know how nicely we are jogging on in the good old road of domestic felicity. And when you hear me say at the end of fourteen months that I am more fully than ever of the opinion that I have as my companion in my journey the most suitable one for me that could have been found had I tarried seven months or seven years longer in the States, you will allow that, at least, I am contented with my choice.” He shows the reversal of mind on this subject complete when, in 1871, he writes: “I must confess that I feel this wholesale sending out of unmarried women into the field just now so in vogue in our church is an experiment.... And I do not think much better of the sending unmarried young men to some fields. ’Tis a pity the secretaries of our Board who ought to know the wisest way do not guide opinion on this subject and more strongly impress upon candidates who apply to them the desirableness of making their arrangements before they leave home—not but what Providence may bless some favoured mortals more than they deserve.” ORDINATION AND RETURN Another event of personal moment to the doctor was his ordination to the Christian ministry. Before his first departure for Siam he had been licensed to preach, a Presbyterial authorisation necessary to give the seal of approval to the preaching which it was expected would be incidental to the medical profession. But now, having given himself exclusively to the Gospel work he sought full ordination with its authority to administer the sacraments and perform the rites of the church. In January, 1856, he was duly ordained by the Presbytery of Troy.