"It is hard work to control the workings of inclination and turn the bent of nature; but that it may be done，I know from experience.

God has given us，in a measure，the power to make our own fate; and when our energies seem to demand a sustenance they cannot get- when our will strains after a path we may not follow- we need neither starve from inanition，nor stand still in despair: we have but to seek another nourishment for the mind，as strong as the forbidden food it longed to taste- and perhaps purer; and to hew out for the adventurous foot a road as direct and broad as the one Fortune has blocked up against us，if rougher than it.

"A year ago I was myself intensely miserable，because I thought I had made a mistake in entering the ministry: its uniform duties wearied me to death. I burnt for the more active life of the world- for the more exciting toils of a literary career- for the destiny of an artist，author，orator; anything rather than that of a priest: yes，the heart of a politician，of a soldier，of a votary of glory，a lover of renown，a luster after power，beat under my curate"s surplice. I considered; my life was so wretched，it must be changed，or I must die. After a season of darkness and struggling，light broke and relief fell: my cramped existence all at once spread out to a plain without bounds- my powers heard a call from heaven to rise，gather their full strength，spread their wings，and mount beyond ken. God had an errand for me; to bear which afar，to deliver it well，skill and strength，courage and eloquence，the best qualifications of soldier，statesman，and orator，were all needed: for these all centre in the good missionary.

"A missionary I resolved to be. From that moment my state of mind changed; the fetters dissolved and dropped from every faculty，leaving nothing of bondage but its galling soreness- which time only can heal.