'One thing I should like to say to you, not as venturing to do more
than let you be in full possession of my own mind on the matter.
Should I die before you die, would it be wrong for me to say, "Make
the Melanesian Mission my heir"?

'It may be according to the view which generally obtains that the
other three should then divide my share. But now I would take what
may seem the hard view of which I have been writing, and say, "They
have enough to maintain them happily and comfortably." The Mission
work without such a bequest will be much endangered. I feel sure
that they would wish it to be so, for, of course, you know that this
large sum of which you write will be, if I survive you, regarded
simply as a bequest to the Mission in which I have a life interest,
and the interest of which, in the main, would be spent on the
Mission.

'But I only say plainly, without any reserve, what I have thought
about it; not for one moment putting up my opinion against yours, of
course, in case you take a contrary view.

'We sail, I hope, to-morrow, but the Bishop is more busy than ever.

'Again, my dearest Father,

'Your loving and dutiful Son,

'J. C. PATTESON.'