He comments on the inscrutability of Providence, the numbers cut short in the midst of most useful lives, and the way such things turned out in the long run to have worked for the speedier accomplishment of the object in view. Such views had confirmed his faith in what they were attempting to do for Africa and that their purpose would ultimately be achieved in a way that they had not envisaged. He argues that if their losses at this point had been less, a repetition of the same mistakes would have been made, but this disaster had forced them to be patient and wait upon events with even greater faith, more prayer, humility, and simplicity and to leave the outcome in the hands of God while watching for the opening that should be offered to them.