On the day of his death in his eightieth year Elliot 'the Apostle of the Indians ' was found teaching an Indian child at his bedside. 'Why not to rest from your labours now?' asked a friend. 'Because ' replied the venerable man 'I have prayed God to render me useful in my sphere and he has heard my prayers for now that I can no longer preach he leaves me strength enough to teach this poor child the alphabet.'