Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/281

 SOMOSOMO. 251 Owen, the deeds being properly drawn up at Sydney, and now signed in the presence of several witnesses. The vessel reached Mbau safely, and Tuithakau expressed great pleasure at again meeting his old friend Mr. Lyth. There seemed to be some encouraging signs in the case of Tuithakau ; but at heart he hated the Christians still, and allowed and encouraged his sons to persecute such of them as lived on islands, near Lakemba, subject to him. In one case the Teacher's wife was shamefully ill-treated by these savages, property of the Christians forcibly taken, a chapel burnt, several of the lotu people killed, and the lives of others attempted. Some who were spared revolted, while others who kept to their religion had to flee to Lakemba. None of the Teachers were allowed to remain. In the mean time, the King found himself in trouble at home. " Being often reproved," he had " hardened his neck," and, one night in Febru- ary, 1854, he was murdered while asleep on his mat, at the instigation, if not by the hand, of his own son. That son was also killed, to revenge the father's death, by his brother, who himself was soon assassinated. Then the town of Somosomo, where the Missionaries had laboured so long, and where that people of proud wickedness had despised their word, soon became utterly deserted. Civil war, in which brother was set against brother, and cousin against cousin, in deadly defiance, made the land desolate, and many fell. Since then the truth which the rejected Missionaries left behind them has sprung up in marvellous growth. The remaining Chiefs and people have become humbled, and many thousands in Somosomo and its domin- ions are giving up their heathen practices, and show the most anxious eagerness to have Missionaries among them once more. As a proof of their sincerity, they have, in many places, built a chapel and Teacher's house. But, as yet, the Station has not been reoccupied, simply for want of means. The claims of the work in other parts of Fiji, where it has so widely spread, require all the help which is at present available, and far more. In the mean time, the multitudes of Somosomo and its dependencies are waiting ready to put themselves under the guidance of the Misionary. When can their want be supplied ? 17