Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/298

 268 FIJI AOTD THE FUIAITS. Acts ii. 26. Mr. Calvert interpreted with great ease ; and a more attentive congregation was never seen. After service forty-four couples were married. I then met the Teachers ; afterwards the Class-Lead- ers ; and examined all the Teachers and Local Preachers as to their Christian experience. Having been engaged in this way from nearly day-dawn till almost two o'clock, a baked pig with yams, in native fashion, was served up, of which we all partook freely, (not having had any breakfast,) and then hastened to the ship ; but our canoes could not weather the storm ; the boat, however, succeeded in crossing the reef, and, through broken waves, we reached the vessel in safety." Sixteen pigs and a number of yams were given by the people, and con- veyed to the vessel. Thus there was peace at Ono, and all the people were turning from their old ways. Nowhere else in Fiji had the truth prevailed in so remarkable a way, yet it was impossible to pay so much attention to this island as it required. There were only six Missionaries in the whole group, and one could not be spared to reside in so distant and isolated a position. At the late District Meeting, before the greatness of the work at Ono was fully known, it had been resolved that Silas Faone, a Tongan Teacher, who had laboured with zeal and success at Rewa, should be sent to this distant island to superintend the infant Church there. He went, and was received with every demonstration of joy, the people bringing him presents as tokens of their gratitude for his coming among them. This man was remarkable for his piety and zeal, and carried with him the influence resulting from his being a Chief of high rank. In 1842, the Rev. Thomas Williams visited Ono in a canoe. Only three of the inhabitants remained heathen, and these embraced the religion of Jesus while the Missionary was there. He baptized nearly two hundred persons, and greatly admired their seriousness. Among the three hundred church-members, he found many whose Christian ex- perience was sound and clear, while the people generally were eagerly seeking religion. A heathen Chief from Mbau, who had set out with the purpose of going to Tonga, had lately drifted to Ono, where he stayed some weeks. Instead of being killed and eaten with his crew, in Fiji fashion, he was surprised at receiving the utmost kindness and hospitality. Afler hav- ing had a full opportunity of watching the Christians, he said on his arrival at Lakemba, " I now know that Cliristianity is true and good. I have seen people truly in earnest. They act differently from those whom we see here" (referring to the Tongans at Lakemba). " I now