Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/316

 286 FIJI A2^ THE FIJIANS. ity, and began to worship the Lord. As a Heathen, he was feared and influential ; but the mild rule of love is not regarded by dark-minded Heathens. The Chiefs opposed ; and the priests, to please the Chiefs, and to vindicate their own false system, under professed inspiration, predicted a drouth, and that the earth would be so scorched as not to produce food because of this innovation. The priests were set fast when Mbukarau asked them how they would manage to live themselves when their god sent a famine. Happily he was a fearless man, un- moved by threats and slights, and just suited to take the first stand against the old system. In spite of opposition, he continued to profess Christianity, and live up to all he knew of it ; and, when he heard that the Tongan Teachers had arrived at Lakemba, he immediately sailed thither to ask that one might go with him to VanuambalaTi. It was a sight to strengthen the Missionary's heart in his toil, to see that rough, powerful man, knowing that he had been standing alone in his profes-' sion of religion, and now had made a voyage on purpose to get some one to teach him and his people the way of the Lord. He went home with a promise that his wish should be attended to ; and, shortly after, a Fijian Teacher was taken over by Josiah, who introduced him to his friends. By this time nine others had joined Mbukarau, and the little company showed great delight at the coming of the Teacher. Prejudice and opposition were giving way, and the Chiefs house was crowded durmg the services held in it. He himself earnestly exhorted all to repent and believe the Gospel, and shortly was married by religious rite to his one wife. He became a Class-Leader and Local Preacher, and has since led a blameless life, being ever ready to endure persecu- tion, and work to the best of his power at home and elsewhere. The name of Joseph Mbukarau is one well-known and much respected, even among the Heathen. Vanuambalavu contains about three thousand inhabitants, and, with its several towns, is about equally divided into the two distinct prov- inces of Lomaloma and Yaro, both of which, though independent of each other, are tributary to Somosomo. The Teacher who had been sent proved unequal to the conduct of so important a Mission, and a Ton- gan Teacher, Daniel Tofale, who could speak Fijian, was placed in charge. This Daniel was an invaluable man, whose deep piety was further adorned and recommended by a kind disposition and a genial temper. He proved to be the right man to grapple with the difficul- ties of the new work in a land just waking out of the long death of Heathenism ; and, by the blessing of God on his labours, converts were multiplied and confirmed.