"I am not fit for it: I have no vocation," I said.

He had calculated on these first objections: he was not irritated by them. Indeed，as he leaned back against the crag behind him，folded his arms on his chest，and fixed his countenance，I saw he was prepared for a long and trying opposition，and had taken in a stock of patience to last him to its close- resolved，however，that that close should be conquest for him.

"Humility，Jane," said he，"is the groundwork of Christian virtues: you say right that you are not fit for the work. Who is fit for it? Or who，that ever was truly called，believed himself worthy of the summons? I，for instance，am but dust and ashes. With St. paul，I acknowledge myself the chiefest of sinners; but I do not suffer this sense of my personal vileness to daunt me. I know my Leader: that He is just as well as mighty; and while He has chosen a feeble instrument to perform a great task，He will，from the boundless stores of His providence，supply the inadequacy of the means to the end. Think like me，Jane- trust like me. It is the Rock of Ages I ask you to lean on: do not doubt but it will bear the weight of your human weakness."

"I do not understand a missionary life: I have never studied missionary labours."

"There I，humble as I am，can give you the aid you want: I can set you your task from hour to hour; stand by you always; help you from moment to moment. This I could do in the beginning: soon (for I know your powers) you would be as strong and apt as myself，and would not require my help."

"But my powers- where are they for this undertaking? I do not feel them. Nothing speaks or stirs in me while you talk. I am sensible of no light kindling- no life quickening- no voice counselling or cheering. Oh，I wish I could make you see how much my mind is at this moment like a rayless dungeon，with one shrinking fear fettered in its depths- the fear of being persuaded by you to attempt what I cannot acplish!"

"I have an answer for you- hear it. I have watched you ever since we first met: I have made you my study for ten months. I have proved you in that time by sundry tests: and what have I seen and elicited?