Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/324

 294 FIJI Ain) THE FIJIANS. for a long time, the Christians suffered ill-treatment, having their food stolen and property injured, while their ablest Teachers were sent away. Some suffered the death of martyrdom rather than disown their Lord, and the Missionaries and Christians in Fiji were earnest in prayer, that God would interpose on behalf of His people at Vanuam- balavu. God heard prayer, and brought good out of all the evil. The Chiefs of the two hostile districts determined to end their old quarrel and live at peace, giving themselves up to the influence of Christianity. The wretches who were engaged in the massacre were given up to the Tongans, who spared their lives, but deported them to another island. Valuable Teachers were soon sent to the surrounding islands ; and when the Lakemba Circuit was didded into seven branches for its bet- ter management, Vanuambalavu, with seven other islands, was formed into a separate and the most important branch, being placed under the care of a devoted Tongan Native Assistant Missionary, seven Native Teachers, and twenty-six school Teachers. About this time the notorious persecutor, Tuikilakila, the King of Somosomo, died a violent death, and his dominions were plunged into a civil war. Some of those most active in the persecution in these parts were killed, and others had to flee for their lives. This populous and extensive branch, where the struggle between light and darkness had been so long and determined, is now the scene of a great triumph of the Gospel. The Missionaries pay frequent visits in canoes to most of the Stations, and find the Native Assistant Mis- sionaries of great use in visiting the places which they themselves can- not reach. During the progress of the events just recorded, the Mission was slowly advancing at the chief island of Lakemba, which, besides sev- eral Tongan settlements, has ten Fijian towns and villages. It was, of course, impossible for the Missionary or his assistants to visit each of the many islands included in the Lakemba Circuit ; but the truth reached all ; for when people came to Lakemba to procure goods, or for other purposes, they always called at the Mission-house, where care was taken to impart instruction to the visitors. All, however, were afraid of the King and Chiefs in the principal town, so that, for a long time, there was not much apparent success. Yet this town was regularly visited by the Missionaries, who were occasionally cheered by tokens of good having been effected. On visiting Ya itha, a heathen Chief, who was sick, Mr. Calvert heard with gratitude of the fruit of another Missionary's teaching. Yavutha begged him to sit