5 MARCH 1904, Page 23

Thomas Wakefield: Missionary and Geographical Pioneer in Africa. By E.

S. Wakefield. (R.T.S. 3s. 6d.)—Mr. Wakefield laboured for between twenty and thirty years in Eastern Africa, going out there in 1862, and returning finally to England, much, it should be said, against his will, in 1887. The story of his work is a chequered one. Time after time he lost fellow-labourers and friends ; but he had the delight of feeling that his work was not done in vain. The harvest that comes from such sowings is not yet ; but Thomas Wakefield had the conviction that it would be gathered in. There is something very pathetic in his repeated efforts, when he had been finally invalided home, to return, at least for a time, to the scene of his work. Work he still continued to do, possibly it was a necessity to him; still, it seems a little strange that a man who has spent himself in missionary work comes home, not to rest, but to a change of labour. Mr. Wake- field, returning in 1887, finds his health improved, and imme- diately undertakes deputation work. Could not, we are disposed to ask, some occupation not alien to the object so dear to his heart, but less exhausting, have been found for him ?