Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/289

 om. 259 the world over, the Master's word is good, " My grace is sufficient for thee." Let the Church thank God that He has provided such women for such a work as that of the Fiji Mission. In all cases they have been helps meet for men engaged in that great and perilous enter- prise. They have never hindered their husbands ; but, as in the case just given, from them has ever come a cheering voice, urging on the work. Mr. Calvert now resolved to visit' Ono as soon as he could find a suitable craft in which to make the voyage. The necessity was made to appear more urgent by fresh news received. In compliance with the request of the Vatoans, a Native Teacher — a man of great sincerity and earnest prayer — had been sent to them; and the canoe which conveyed him was ordered to go on to Ono, and fetch food, which was very scarce about Lakemba in consequence of a hurricane. On December 26th the canoe returned, heavily laden with yams, which were greatly needed by the Mission family ; and news came by the same means that the presence of the Missionary was more required than ever. The lohc was advancing in Ono, and confirmed at Vatoa ; but, at the former place, the head Teacher had proved unfaithful. Something may be said very fitly here about the use of native agency in carrying on such a Mission as this. In very many cases the native converts have, after due training, proved most valuable helpers in the work of evangelizing. Men of heroic boldness, of unwavering devotion, and blameless integrity, have thus been found and employed with great success. But the whole history of the Mission has proved that the Native Teachers must be under the direct guidance of the Missionary, as they are not equal to the management and control of an infant Church. In the case of the Ono Teacher, there seemed to have been, first of all, carelessness in the performance of his work, and then a proud assumption of dignity, followed too soon by a fall into sin. A further motive was thus given for the visit of the Missionary to this distant Station ; and happily just at the time a brother-in-law of King George of Tonga was at Lakemba with a large canoe, and con- sented to take Mr. Calvert to Ono, who accordingly embarked on the last day of 1839. Vatoa was reached in a few days, and here things were going on well. During the five weeks in which the Teacher had been on the island, great progress had been made, and the Missionary found that the Chief could already read better than his instructor. This man had also selected his oldest wife, who had borne him children, and was now