Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/332

 302 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. friends in the matter. It was felt desirable that special attention should be paid to qualify all Missionaries to help themselves and their own families, as well as the people among whom they are placed, where there are no medical men. With the design of supplying this desidera- tum, The Protestant Missions' Medical Aid Societij was formed in 1856. Several medical gentlemen readily offered their services ; and the co-operation of all Protestant Missionary Societies was invited for the promotion of the objects of the association. Passing back again over the time occupied by the events recorded in connexion with Tangithi's case, the conversion of the people of Yandrana deserves special notice. Yandrana is the most populous town on Lakem- ba, on the opposite side to the King's town. It had been repeatedly visited by the Missionaries and Teachers, but without apparent success ; for the people seemed determined to oppose Christianity. In September, 1842, some differences took place between these people and the King's town, and a sudden attack was treacherously made upon the Yandrana men while presenting food, when two of their number were killed and two wounded. On the next day, they sent a message to the King, begging that no more might be killed, but that they might serve him in peace. On the return of the messenger, a consultation was held, at which it was boldly asserted that their ovm. gods were useless, and their heathen masters unworthy of trust. At ten o'clock that night the Missionary .received an intimation from the Yandrana people, that they did not like to be killed; that they should certainly go to war with their King if they remained heathen, and that they therefore wished to become Christians. Knowing the danger of delay, Mr. Calvert rose, dressed, and walked about twelve miles, entering the town soon after sunrise. Some of the principal men assembled in a heathen temple, and to these the Missionary stated why he had come so promptly. They replied : " We were far from religion. The sky was nearer than religion to us. But we are now apprehensive that we shall always be fighting if we continue heathen ; and we have, therefore, decided to embrace Christianity, that we may remain in our land, and live peaceably." Most of the people were busy in preparing food for the funeral of the two slain men, and could not attend. Lua, the head Chief of the town, with three of the principal men, and a fow others, met in a heathen temple, as representatives of the four tribes belonging to that settlement, and, afler singing and prayer, bowed down to worship God. On the next Sabbath, all the rest were openly to abandon idolatry.