voyage to Brisbane, in Queensland. I am no better, but rather worse. I have not preached at all for five weeks until Sunday night, and then a friend opened the service, and read the lesson for me. I have a distressing cough that prevents me sleeping, and I have lost much of the little strength I had. I believe this sea voyage to be my only chance for life, and it has come to me suddenly, and certainly the hand of the Lord is in it. . . . My poor wife is not going with me, but at any rate she has a great dread of the sea. She is much better than she has been, and is wonderfully contented and hopeful. I feel it much on her account, that she should be left alone, and be so long without hearing from me. But she fully believes the whole arrangements are of the Lord, and this tranquilises her. My mother, too, is very, very feeble.

.

....

I should so much have liked to see you all before I go away, for I sometimes think I have let the thing go too far, and that I may not live to come back. However, there is a way to heaven from the sea, or Australia, or China, as well as from here; and if, in the providence of God, we are not permitted to resume our intercourse on earth, we can resume it in heaven. Still, I am hopeful about the effect of the voyage and change of climate; and it may be I may return so stout that my own friends won't know me. With kindest regards to self and Mrs. C.,—I remain yours affectionately, R. WALKER.”

Mr. Walker did not start so early as he had anticipated, as the vessel did not sail till June. In the beginning of that month he visited his parents at Newcastle to bid them farewell. As may be supposed the interview was very painful, as he was in such a weak condition and greatly troubled with his cough. On the 25th of May be took his final departure from Alnwick, not without receiving from his temperance and Christian friends useful testimonies of the loving esteem in which they held him; while, with some, fears were mingled with their sorrow that they should see his face no more. As there was the probability of the voyage being prolonged by the vessel sailing from Australia to China, a considerable supply of necessaries and some luxuries were required. The loving devotion of his wife supplied him with all that was thought would prove useful to him on the voyage and contribute to his comfort. On Wednesday, the 3rd of June, he sailed from Liverpool, followed by the good wishes and prayers of his late charge, and the anxious sympathies of his many friends.

A voyage at sea, especially if it is likely to extend over many months, becomes monotonous. The earlier portion, however, after the inconveniences of sea-sickness are got over, is always interesting to a landsman from the novelties of his position. Mr. Walker derived

much gratification from the new objects and scenes which from time to time presented themselves to his notice.

In consequence of a leak in the tank in which was stored the fresh water for the voyage, the vessel was obliged to call at Madeira for another supply. This circumstance gave him the opportunity of despatching a long letter home, in which he says: "It has been a most interesting voyage, so far; and the fact that I spend nearly all my time on deck, drinking in health through all the pores, enables me to see all that there is to be seen. In addition to the glorious beauty of the sea (utterly unlike anything we see on our coast), with its myriad varieties and developments of loveliness-now calm, now rippled, now rolling in mighty mountains of water, and sparkling and dancing as in mad joy in the sunshin-eI have seen a shark and a whale close to the ship, scores of turtles, a very large fish which, like the shark, followed us for miles, &c., &c." What, however, was of more interest to Mrs. Walker and his friends was the intimation that he was wonderfully better both in body and mind. He says: "The sense of prostration is entirely gone, and but for a sense of fatigue if I walk much, I should say nothing is the matter with me." His appetite was excellent, his sleep was sound, and the emaciated form with which he had left England was actually assuming a fleshy and healthy appearance. The change must have been great, and well adapted to inspire the strongest confidence that he would regain his health. When he landed at Madeira to spend a short time, the British Consul remarked to him, "Well, do you know, I was struck when you came up with your remarkably healthy appearance. You look exceedingly well. Were it not for your voice, I should regard you as a specimen of robust health." Mr. Walker's improved condition had led him to think of doing something for the sailors. He had cultivated their acquaintance, and had induced them to sing some of the popular hymns of the day, and he cherished the hope that shortly he would be able to preach to them the Word of Life.

After a brief stay at this attractive island, the vessel about the end of June resumed her voyage to Brisbane. The latter part of the voyage presented a contrast to the beginning. There were fearful storms, and the inconveniences incident to such-cabin filled with water, beds and bedding saturated, difficulties in cooking, and on three occasions hurricanes, which left them with slight hope of the barque weathering their fury. Another young man, a son of one of the owners, also in search of health, rapidly got worse, and did not live to reach the land. Ultimately, on the 9th of October, the vessel arrived at its destination, and cast anchor in Brisbane roads. But instead of Mr. Walker landing in restored or even

improved health he was very much worse. He had lost nearly two stone weight since leaving England, whilst his strength was so much diminished that he could scarcely walk the length of the poop. Though an absolute stranger and in a far-off land, God raised him up friends. A Mr. and Mrs. Fulwood, who formerly were connected with our Alnwick Church, and who had been written to by one of their old friends asking them to show kindness to the minister from Alnwick, on learning of the arrival of the vessel, at once sought Mr. Walker out, and took him to their beautiful house. Writing home, he says, "I thank God every morning and every evening that He raised up such friends as Mr. and Mrs. Fulwood when, shattered and broken down with cruel stormy weather, I landed a stranger in a strange land. Surely the blessing of Him who said, 'I was a stranger and ye took Me in, &c. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me'— will rest upon them in richest fulness. I never heard of such kindness as they have shown me." Other Christian people connected with the Free Methodists and Wesleyans were not slow in manifesting their Christian regard, and contributing in every possible way to his comfort and happiness. It is pleasant to read of love so Christ-like and kindness so disinterested to one who was unknown to them, save as an afflicted brother in Christ, who, far from home and kindred, had appeared in their midst, in the vain search of health, and who in weakness, and loneliness, and disappointment needed their sympathy and their care.

Having sought medical advice, and having received an unfavourable opinion, but one, however, which accorded with his own experience, he determined not to voyage further with the vessel in which he had come out, and which was going on to China, but take the earliest mail steamer for England. There had been some improvement in his condition after he landed at Brisbane, but it had been only slight, and it was not lasting. Thus far his voyage had been undertaken in vain. His cherished hopes were unfulfilled. All the sacrifices he had made and all that had been made on his behalf were fruitless, and now there were fears in his mind that he would never see the land of his birth, or wife, or parents, or friends again. In his extremity he realised the faithfulness and loving-kindness of his heavenly Father, and was able to maintain a steady faith in Him who is always near to bless and comfort His suffering children. In a letter to Mr. Drysdale, of Alnwick, he expressed his fears about reaching his earthly home, but expressed his conviction that from the sea he could find the way to the heavenly one. To another friend he wrote, "I would like to see my dear wife, and mother, and friends.

Pray to God for me that I may. But still I think I am submissive to His will." And again he wrote, "I could tell you a long story of trials, but I won't; blessed be God I can sing of mercy and judgment. Never, I think, had any one such manifestations of the Lord's tender compassion and overflowing goodness as I have had. It would be an awful sin for me to doubt Him either in life or death after the wonderful deliverances He wrought out for me in storms at sea, and the way in which He has dealt with me here." And then comes a testimony which is exceedingly precious to friends, coming as it does from one whose faith had been severely tried, and whose earthly prospects were the reverse of cheering. It was penned about a week before he embarked at Brisbane. After referring to the kindness of the Queenslanders, Mr. Walker adds: "And now let me say that having tested religion in times of great mental perplexity and depression, in times of great disappointment, in times of loneliness, in times of great physical pain and weakness, and what seemed on several occasions the immediate prospect of death, it has never failed me. It has been all Christ said it would be." Thus do the disciples of Jesus realise the truthfulness of Him who said, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

On the 2nd of December he left Brisbane for Sydney, to join the mail steamer for Europe. Though voyaging alone, God soon raised him up friends. Probably his emaciated and feeble condition excited the sympathy of fellow-passengers. He mentions in a letter to Mr. Fulwood some gentlemen who waited on him like servants, and on their arrival at Sydney that four offered to see him and his luggage wherever he wanted to go, and that one of the four who offered to give his services to him all the afternoon gave the name of Walter Scott, a member of the Legislative Assembly. Steaming from Sydney to Melbourne, the Rev. Thomas Clarke Laurance, a Wesleyan minister on board, paid him great attention, and doubtless was the means of comforting one who was weary and worn. Mr. Walker says, "He talks, reads, recites, and sings to me, and has prayed with me each day, except yesterday, when we had a gale. I am sorry he leaves us to-morrow."

As the steamer remained two days at Melbourne, Mr. Walker landed and drove to our minister in that city, the Rev. T. Masterman, who with his wife received Mr. Walker as a brother, and gladly ministered to his wants. In fact they invited him to take up his abode with them for a while and try the effect of the climate; but as he had already prepaid his passage to England, and was intensely anxious once more to see his dear wife and friends, if the Lord willed, he declined their kind invitation. His intercourse with Mr. and

Mrs. Masterman, Mr. Fenton, and Mr. Edwards, appears to have been very refreshing to him. Some of them were previously known to him. Mr. Masterman and Mr. Fenton were brethren in the same Connexion and ministry to which he belonged. Thus there were many subjects in which they had a common interest, and which served to make their converse mutually agreeable. They also generously supplied him with various articles which they supposed would contribute to his comfort on the voyage home, but which, alas! he did not long need. After a brief stay the steamer proceeded to Adelaide, where he did not land, but from on board the steamer despatched a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Masterman, the last we have seen from his pen, and probably the last one he wrote. It is a precious epistle, revealing as it does the state of his mind while so near the end of his mortal life. He had peace and joy through believing in the Lord, being "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." He says in the letter referred to: "The sunshine of my brief visit to you still warms and cheers me. .... God bless you both, and Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Fenton for all your kindness. Good-bye, dear, dear friends. Pray for me that if it be God's will

I

may reach England and see my friends, and that He may bless me with a constant sense of His presence. I can stand anything when I know Christ is with me. This blessing I have richly enjoyed, but I have had seasons of great mental depression and darkness.

"Dear friends, I cannot conclude without magnifying the name of the Lord. My afflicted life ever is crowned with His goodness, and my cup of blessing runneth over. When I think of the richness, and fulness, and wonderfulness of His mercy and kindness to me since landing in this colony, I am lost in wonder, love, and praise! I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Hearty and sincere love to you both, and to Mr. Fenton and Mr. Edwards. In the assurance we shall meet in heaven, if not again on earth-I remain, yours most affectionately, R. WALKER."

The steamer's course on leaving Adelaide was for Point-de-Galle. From the doctor, stewards, and some of the passengers Mr. Walker appears to have received every attention. His strength, however was slowly decreasing, and at times his breathing was difficult, yet he clung to the hope of reaching home. On Saturday evening, December 19th, when visited by a passenger in his berth, he seemed very happy, and Sunday morning found him in a similar state of mind, declaring how good God had been to him. A Christian passenger read to him the 1st and 5th chapters of 2 Corinthians, and