First, his reading Dick's _Philosophy of a Future State_, which led him to Christ, but did not lead him away from science; then his falling in with Gutzlaff's _Appeal_, which induced him to become a medical missionary; the Opium War, which closed China against him; the friendly word of the Director who procured for him another trial; Mr.
Moffat's visit, which deepened his interest in Africa; and finally, the issue of a dangerous illness that attacked him in London--all indicated the unseen hand that was preparing him for his great work.
The meeting of Livingstone with Moffat is far too important an event to be passed over without remark.

Both directly and indirectly Mr.Moffat's influence on his young brother, afterward to become his son-in-law, was remarkable.

In after-life they had a thorough appreciation of each other.

No family on the face of the globe could have been so helpful to Livingstone in connection with the great work to which he gave himself.
If the old Roman fashion of surnames still prevailed, there is no household of which all the members would have been better entitled to put AFRICANUS after their name.

The interests of the great continent were dear to them all.