They left Aliwal North on June 9th 1883. At the Farewell Meeting held the night before, in my Father's words, "the people almost overwhelmed me with kindness." Anglican, Dutch Reformed and Roman Catholic Ministers, along with Members of the English Primitive Methodist Churches, all spoke in loving terms of his character and work. The native population held their own Farewell Service at which they gave, by speech and gift, unmistakable evidences of their esteem for their Pastor.

They arrived at Jamestown at 8-45 p.m. and were met by Mr. Kidwell and the Rev. John Bradley. Mr. Bradley had worked in complete harmony with my Father for three years and now sped him on his way with cordial wishes for his future prosperity. They resumed their journey before daybreak, travelling for five hours in the intense cold of a South African morning, cold which has to be felt before it can be realised in the slightest degree, and reached Queenstown at half past six in the evening. The following day they were not sorry to leave behind them their toilsome mode of travelling and to continue their journey by train, getting to East London at six o'clock that night. From there to Cape Town they had a miserable voyage, full of discomfort, and taking them nearly four days instead of the usual thirty-six hours. After many unpleasant experiences, including a voyage from Melbourne in a small coasting vessel, they landed at Adelaide on July 17th. They were met by my Mother's sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parker, and some of the officials of the Queenstown Church, and taken to their new home. Nine months later they removed to the Parkside Church and my Father began his Ministry there which lasted nearly six years.

I do not intend to dwell in detail on this period of his life; no good purpose would be served by so doing. It is sufficient to say that on the whole, the sphere of work was congenial. The circuit was small, as a consequence he was able to preach frequently to the same people, a form of work he preferred to that which naturally arises on a large circuit. Uncongenial tasks had also to be undertaken, such as the raising of money for church expenses, which has caused much uneasiness of spirit to many ministers of our church, both before and since my Father's day. Here, as in many other cases, his wife nobly seconded his efforts and helped to bring the Church through many a time of storm and stress. Through drought and other causes the Colony was in a very depressed state; banks had ceased payment, involving in their downfall many poor, hardworking folk. At one time the little church's finances were so low that it was impossible to pay the wages of a caretaker for the church property. A band of ladies, led by my Mother, whose health in the intense heat was far from robust, week by week scrubbed and made bright and spotless the whole of the premises.

There was a debt of nearly £2,000 on the Manse and church property. Raising the interest on so large a sum of money was a problem which caused my Father grave anxiety, so much so that he lost night after night of sleep. He had no private means; out of his salary he had lent as much money for this purpose as he dared, that is in justice to his wife and children. His people were in difficulties, hardly able to pay for the bare necessities of life in these hard times, it was useless to appeal to them. Just when things seemed blackest light came. A lady who had heard indirectly of the difficulty which faced him came and told him that she had saved a little money and thought she could not do better than to try to help the church with it. The only condition she made was that an effort should be made to reduce the debt somewhat. Her name has been forgotten, but it was a gracious act, done out of her love to her Master, and to lift the burden from a much loved minister's shoulders. Her example inspired others and from quite unexpected sources money came which brought the church through the worst of its difficulties. The time of trade depression passed and was forgotten, but the love which had grown up between people and pastor remained. They had passed through the fires of affliction together, the sympathy, practical help and advice given were not forgotten, but formed a chain of love which held them firmly together.

His literary work could not claim as much of his time as he would have liked. Still he occasionally translated articles from the German for the "Holborn Review", also from time to time sending original articles. His linguistic studies were rigorously maintained and he had a good working knowledge of Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French. Before going to Africa he had studied Dutch and found this knowledge of considerable help in his work amongst the Boers and the natives. He used laughingly to declare, however, that his little daughter, Kate, had many a time helped him by her thorough knowledge of what is known as "kitchen Dutch", and it was no uncommon thing for her to receive a summons to the study when he was interviewing Dutch visitors.

In the opinion of many the time was ripe for the union of the various Methodist bodies. It was felt that one great Methodist Church could do much more effective work than several feeble churches, both in the great continent of Australia and on the Foreign Missionary Field. My Father was one of the most ardent supporters of the new movement towards union and did much towards bringing it to a successful issue. In fact, after his return to England, he, by public speech and private conversation, tried to bring about a similar union in the Homeland; but he was before his day and did not live to see brought about what he thought would have been such an immense stride forward towards the bringing in of His Kingdom.

As will be seen, his time was fully occupied with all these varied interests and the years sped by. In March 1888 he wrote to his Mother, "There are great changes taking place among my English friends in Primitive Methodism. Many of the older people have died, and the ministers are being scattered about the kingdom. Whether I shall ever return is doubtful. At any rate my post of duty is here for many years to come". In the following few months a great change took place in his feelings respecting this subject. His mother longed and begged for his return; most of her children had died, she felt that her own departure could not be long delayed, and she desired most earnestly to see again her well-loved son.