The United Secession Church adopted the mission to Old Calabar. While it thus relieved me of the task of organizing a new society, to carry out the views of the Jamaica Presbytery, it left me at liberty to arrange and prepare everything for establishing it, according to my instructions. Wherever made known, our design was hailed with enthusiasm. The credentials with which I was furnished, powerfully recommended the cause; and from the principal cities of the three kingdoms, and even remote places in Scotland, large contributions flowed in for its support. Liberal members of various evangelical denominations assured us of their continued aid for an object dear to all. Above £4000, raised that first year, testified to the zeal of God's people for the success of our enterprise.

It was believed that, both for efficiency and safety, the mission would require a sea-going vessel for its own use. One of the Orkney islands had the honour of furnishing this first mission ship ever belonging to Scotland. Mr. Baikie, the Provost of Kirkwall, generously presented a new sloop, just off the stocks, for the purpose. When, however, it was deemed unsuitable for service in the tropics, he let it be sold and the proceeds applied to provide another. Then one of the princely merchants of Liverpool, Mr. Jamieson, gave us the free use of a brigantine, the Warree, and £100 annually towards its sailing expenses. Humanly speaking, the mission could not have been so safely and quickly settled as it was, but for that vessel.