Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/313

 LAKEMBA. 283 pared for more mischief if they had been surprised. On this occasion the King and his brother expressed great indignation at the behaviour of the natives, and several children related to the culprits had a fingei cut off in consequence. Considering all these things, it is hardly to be wondered at that Mr. Calvert was rather uneasy at being left alone, and, at first, found it difficult to sleep soundly. Believing that if he showed his actual love for the Chiefs and people, he should thereby not only serve them, but get rid of much of his own anxiety and mis- giving, he set about his work in earnest, doing all the good he could to the bodies and souls of all with whom he came in contact. He laboured to be very kind in word and deed to Chiefs and people, and visited many in their houses. While this plan of acting was greatly help ■ful in gaining a knowledge of the language, it was also beneficial to those visited and conversed with ; prejudices were removed, and kind feelings enkindled in the hearts of the people. The plan succeeded admirably. A better state of things was brought about remarkably soon; the Missionary could sleep comfortably ; and he reported, " We are now free from roberies and insult, and live in great peace : your Mission- aries and cause are respected by the Chiefs and natives, so that the Mission appears to have obtained a firm and permanent establishment here." As yet, this new Mission had not produced enough native help to carry on the work efficiently, and here the connexional principle of Methodism came in well ; for word was sent to Tonga how matters stood, and forthwith, although forming a separate District, ten proved men were sent thence to help the Missionaries in Fiji. These, with their wives and fifleen children, reached Lakemba, in a canoe sent by King George, on the 27th of July. The sight of these nobly devoted Chris- tians, who had left their own privileged home for the darkness and danger of Fiji, greatly inspirited the Missionary, who gave them a hearty welcome, and sent four of them on to Eewa by the first oppor- tunity. The rest remained in the Lakemba Circuit, to strengthen places where inefficient teachers had been, and to enter on fresh scenes of labour, as they might open. In the mean time Tui Nayau, the King, was opposing Christianity resolutely, but in secret, while Toki, his brother, showed from the first a determined and open resistance. At the large town of Nasangkalu, two persons had renounced Heathenism, and others were evidently dis- posed to fgllow them. Mr. Calvert, thinking it best to act quite openly, and thus prevent suspicion, went to the King and his brother, and laid the case plainly before them, begging that such of their people 19