All the young men are working vigorously, fencing and hut-building. A poor old lubra named Molly is dying in the camp; we send her medical comforts. Received various remittances; total, £1 0s. 6d.
Dan and Susannah, the first married couple, were glad to return with us, and a half-caste girl Lizzie. The old blacks were opposed to our taking the children.
Harriet wrote her first letter to-day to a lady in Melbourne. She was proud of her first literary effort. To-night we sat round the fire, and sang for two hours without intermission.
Reached Ulapa home-station. A good number of children desire to go with us. Eleven young people made up their minds to return with us.
A number of young men left for shearing, although 12 miles away. Most of them walk back to Sunday service.
Jemmy, half-caste, manifested faith in Christ. He had been very troublesome; he is now all day singing hymns. A great change of character. Eight of the young men have now experienced a change. They sat down with us at the Lord’s table.
The children are approaching proficiency in spelling, arithmetic, and writing. They also know upwards of forty tunes.
Our Government grant of £400 is nearly exhausted; we are therefore obliged to limit our expenses. Several old people left to obtain fish, but shortly afterwards, the last payment of £400 from the Government came, as well as flour, sugar, and rice, but it seems that will only meet present wants.
The marriage customs of the blacks caused some altercation when three couples presented themselves for marriage, but the objections were overruled, although they went so far as to threaten to burn down the huts, and fifteen blacks came down the river to interfere about the marriage; however, they became pacified. There are ten young and married with us now, and there are thirty-eight aborigines in the camp. Our income for the month has been £4 4s. 6d. We have passed through years of trial.
In perusing the report, it is wonderful how supplies came from various quarters, unsolicited, just in time to relieve their wants. They lived by faith.