Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/301

 ONO. 271 The Missionary was rather astonished and perplexed at finding that eighty-one men had been allowed to exhort and preach during the prog- ress of this remarkable movement. He greatly feared lest he should hurt some of these by requiring them to keep silence in public ; and a meeting of the Native Helpers, Local Preachers, and Exhorters was called. It was a deeply interesting assembly, and all were permitted to tell, out of their full and simple hearts, what they had experienced of religion. Their testimonies were short, clear, and artless. Some of their statements are worthy of record. One said, " I love the Lord, I know He loves me ; not for anything in me, or for anything I have done ; but for Christ's sake alone. I trust in Christ and am happy. I listen to God, that He may do with me as He pleases. I am thankful to have lived until the Lord's work has begun. I feel it in my heart ! I hold Jesus ! I am happy ! My heart is full of love to God ! " Be- fore the meeting closed, Silas was requested to pray. He was a man of great power in prayer, and, as he pleaded, the general feeling became intense. The Missionary, who was very weakly, writes : " The effect upon my poor frame was thrilling, but very enlivening. My spirit was quickened and refreshed. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for what I see, hear, and feel ! What hath God wrought ! * Blessed and praised be His holy name, who only doeth wondrous things ! ' " On the following day the Missionary met these men again ; preached and baptized eleven children. In the afternoon, he opened a beautiful new chapel, the old one having been destroyed by a recent hurricane, which had also done great damage to the yam crops. He then had an interview with the three principal Chiefs, and made arrangements for the regular maintenance of the Teachers, and other matters affecting the Society, urging also the importance of a regular payment of tribute to the Chiefs. Ail these counsels were well received. Early the next morning, Tubou Toutai, a Tongan Chief from La- kemba, came to the Missionary's mat, and asked for his prayers, as his canoes were preparing for sea. Shortly after, the old Ono Chief came and asked the Missionary to accompany him to the other Chiefs, who were waiting to receive him, to present a large ball of sinnet, begging him to excuse the limited value of the gift, on account of their poverty. Two canoes went off to the vessel with provisions, and brought back medicines and a pair of goats. The Teachers were again met, and sup- plied with the Morning Service of the Book of Common Prayer, which was explained to them as a form to be used every Sunday morning. Other arrangements of church order were made, and the Local Preach- ers and Exhorters again assembled. One of the Exhorters prayed.