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Rosalie Brig.

On December 10, 1844, my natal day, I embarked at London Docks on board the Rosalie Brig, Captain Boyse, under the following circumstances, to go to Patagonia as a Missionary.

Captain Allen Gardiner R.N. having visited South America at his own expense, with the view of ascertaining what might be done to promote the introduction of the Gospel to this benighted part of the world, after much self denying caution, concluded that, although there is not a Protestant Mission in the whole continent south of the equator, Patagonia is the only place open to such a Mission at present. His efforts were next directed to calling the attention of some of the Missionary Societies in England to this extensive and long neglected field: but the reply from each was, in effect, "We acknowledge the claims of South America and should be very happy to see a successful Mission established there but we have neither funds nor other necessary means for an attempt there."

At length an Association for this express purpose was formed at Brighton and it was determined to send out a Clergyman and Catechist to commence the work in the neighbourhood of Cape Gregory in the Straits of Magellan, Captain Gardiner undertaking to go out with the first party (the Catechist) and remain till he be comfortably settled and joined by the next party going out. The Rev. W. J. Woodcock, Incumbent of Witherstack, having had some communication with Captain Gardiner on this subject and entertaining serious thoughts of accepting the Committee's offer to send him out, mentioned to the Captain that he thought I should be a most fit person to be sent out as the Catechist: accordingly, at the Captain's request, Mr. Woodcock saw me on the subject which resulted in my offering to go "if, in the absence of other aid, my services were clearly called for." The Committee, being exceedingly pleased with what they had learned concerning me, gave me a pressing invitation to Brighton as they wished to communicate with me in propia persona.

Accordingly I arrived there on Saturday, Captain Gardiner summoned the Committee and I saw them that afternoon; and as they wished to have a fuller meeting and see me again, l stayed at Captain Gardiner's and again saw the Committee on Monday morn. At ½ past 3 o'clock of that afternoon having promised to give the matter my most serious and prayerful consideration and give them the result at the earliest moment, I set out on my return to Kendal which I reached on Tuesday evening. Having called on my way back at Lancaster and enjoyed a long talk with my dear friend Mr. Evans and been favoured with his advice and prayers, I came to the resolution that, as I had received a Providential call to this particular work it was my duty to give myself up to it, which I determined to do in the strength of the Lord my God.

The next day having received a letter from my Uncle George approving of the step I was about to take, I wrote the Committee accepting their offer, rejoicing with trembling. I was immediately attached to the Mission, received £50 for my outfit and instructions to be in London by Saturday, 30th November 1844 as the vessel would probably sail the following Monday. For any particulars not mentioned here see the correspondence with Captain Gardiner etc. The following are the Committee of the Association.

The Mission to Patagonia being an acknowledged experiment and the Committee having no other Mission to which they could send me in the event of a failure at Patagonia, they could not make any absolute engagement with me for any certain period; but in the event of their being obliged to abandon the Mission, their influence will be used by testimonials etc. in order to procure me a position at least as good as that which I abandoned to engage with them. Meantime the understanding is that I receive £100 per annum and the Committee will moreover do whatever is necessary for the comfortable and efficient prosecution of the Mission. They do not bind me to remain single, but in the event of my wishing to marry will give me every assistance that their funds allow of. In these matters I have such confidence in the Committee as to feel myself safe in their hands without any express and positive engagement. The Association has moreover furnished, and sent with us, dwellings, furniture etc. and provisions for six months.

One very important point considered by the Committee was the subject of my Ordination at some future period. They allowed me to understand that I shall be at liberty to bring this matter again under their consideration when I feel that circumstances justify my so doing. Sir Thos. Bloomfield kindly undertook to see the Lord Bishop of London upon this subject and it was thought likely that the Bishop would give me Deacon's orders before my going out and I was instructed to wait upon his Lordship on Monday, 2nd December. A manifest Providence prevented the intended interview - his Lordship's Mother having died, his Lordship was called away from London but subsequently wrote to Sir Thos. Bloomfield that he approved of a Catechist going out in the first place but that he would give ordination if necessary to anyone the Committee recommended after he had made some progress in the work.

This in connection with my understanding with the Committee I felt to be perfectly satisfactory notwithstanding some circumstances which, partially involving the success of the Mission, made it, in my opinion desirable that I should have been ordained previous to my leaving England. But all things, it is my unspeakable privilege to commit to the Lord and leave to His infinite wisdom and love. O Almighty God, Blessed Saviour, Glorious Jehovah, my Father, my Lord and my God, give me I beseech Thee, Thy Holy Ghost, the mind that was in Christ Jesus, that I may be strong and finish the work which Thou hast given me to do. Amen. May the Lord say so too.

The following are my instructions from the Committee.

Instructions from the Committee