s to dance to, if no English
May-pole to plait.

Jan. 21 (St. Agnes' Day). Went to a down church, where they had a
sort of special service. Lambing-time among the South Downs just
coming on. The sacrifice pleaded with one main request in view
the blessing on the flocks. If they had only brought some lambs
in! I hope to live to see some pied African lambs and kids in
church yet.

June 21. Went to Stonehenge on the longest day. Would have camped
out there on the eve if the policeman would have let me. Took
observations as to Flame-Stone. Compared notes with those I took
at Zimbabwe this time last year on my way to Topready's.

June 24 (Saint John). Yes, in African Mission Stations we should
have St. John's Fires or fires corresponding to them about
Christmas time.

Then in Mashonaland, summer is at height. Yes, the other Saint
John's Day, or its Eve, would do. Let us give thanks for the
Light of the World and the Sun of Righteousness symbolized by
things seen and enjoyed. What did Saint Patrick do about the
sacred fire? He kept it going, didn't he? Let us light our
bonfires with a good will this coming Christmastide we who live
by sun-time so often.

Back from England came the Bishop full of the lore of early
missions. He had enriched his zeal for broad-basing the people's
worship on their own everyday earth, and for enlightening things
opaque with effulgences invisible. He saw his way more clearly to
further what he had at heart. Topready had had many letters, and
they had had their effect. But he had not capitulated yet. He
capitulated at a price, as we shall see.

'Church ready by Christmas,' wrote Topready, 'please come and
consecrate.' 'Expect me the day after,' telegraphed the Bishop.
He thought about a bonfire as he rode along on that Saint
Stephen's Day. 'The kopje above the Mission!' he reflected. 'A
magnificent place for a beacon-fire.'

To his delight the new church crowned the very kopje he had been
thinking of. There it stood on the sky-line, its gold of fresh
thatch crowned a huge pole building, and was itself crowned by a
white cross.

'How fine!' said the Bishop to himself, 'but there's no room up
there for a bonfire as well, alas!'

Topready did not look over-cheerful when his leader greeted him
with congratulations on the building of the church.

'It's all very well, or rather it might have been ever so much
better,' he said, as they went in.

In the evening there was much time to t