The Story of Commander Allen Gardiner; R.N., with Sketches of Missionary Work in South America (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1887. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. THE LAST VOYAGE. We must now turn to the final effort which ended Captain Gardiner's exertions for the benefit of the South American Indians. He had returned from Tierra del Fuego ardently desirous to induce his countrymen to send out another mission more efficiently provided than the last, with a brigantine or schooner in which they might keep their provisions, retire in case of difficulty, and maintain communication with the British colony on the East Falkland. He did not regard his recent attempt as a failure, but as a voyage of observation, showing what further means were required. He found few prepared to take the same view with himself, even among his stanchest supporters; but impressed as he was, with the firm conviction that it was his Master's will that he should exert all his powers to carry on that Master's work in South America, neither disappointment nor remonstrance had any power to withdraw him from it. The question was submitted to the Moravian Church at Herrnhuth in Silesia, whether they would undertake a mission, for which their experience in Greenland seemed to prepare them. Captain Gardiner went to Herrnhuth as the representative of the committee; he was much gratified at meeting there some of the Moravian bishops and clergy from Africa, the West Indies, and other parts of the world, who had come to the synod, which it is their custom to hold once in ten years. D The proposal was fully discussed, and excited a deep interest, but the final reply was given a year and a half afterwards declining the undertaking. And now, two applications having been made in vain to the Church Missionary Society to take up the cause of missions to South America, and one to the Moravian Church, a similar application was made to the committee for Foreign Missions of the Chu...