Having successfully founded and to some extent built up the mission in Calcutta and Bengal, Mr. Duff is summoned, though he knows it not, to do the equally necessary work of creating a living missionary spirit in the Church at home. The apparently dying apostle is really being sent on that parallel or alternating service which divided his whole career into two indispensable and co-operating sets of activities in East and West. Having set the battle in array in front, and fought for years at the head of his scanty forces, he had then to leave the post of danger to colleagues of his own spirit, for the less honourable but not less necessary duty of looking to his reserves and sending forward his ammunition. Thus it was that he became at once the missionary worker, the unresting civilizing force in India, and the missionary organizer, the unmatched Christian orator and preacher at home. He led two lives, and in each his splendid physique, his burning enthusiasm, his divine call and support, enabled him to do more than the work of many men together.

Yet, as consciousness returned and strength began to come back, it was natural that the young missionary should long to be left at his post, should even somewhat murmuringly marvel why he had been taken away in the hour of victory. The very elements seemed to conspire to keep him in Bengal.