Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/333

 LAKEMBA. 303 But the King and his Chiefs soon heard of what the Yandrana people were intending to do, and a messenger was forthwith sent off to forbid their becoming Christian. Mr. Calvert met the messenger just outside the town as he himself was returning, and rejoiced to know that the King's command came too late. Men of influence were now dispatched, com- missioned to gain their end, whether by threats or promises ; but in vain. Those who had professed Christianity refused to leave, declaring their intention of remaining where they were, and preparing tribute for the King as formerly. This town, of all others, had supported the King in his opposition to the lotu ; and now he and Toki and the other Chiefs were dismayed to see it going over to the new religion. Mr. Calvert had an interview with Tui Nayau, telling him, that the Yandrana people were greatly afraid on account of the conduct of their young men, and the murders which had taken place ; that they had thought of removing elsewhere for safety, but had resolved to remain and become Christian, that they might dwell in their own land, avoid war, and live in comfort ; that they had already begun to worship God, which would be for the King's benefit, inasmuch as he would easily govern them, while, in their heathen state, he had always found them unruly ; and, valuable as they were to him, he had been obliged to kill some of them. The Missionary went on to say, that he should teach these people to honour their King as well as to fear God ; and that, as religion was a great blessing to any land, it would be wiser for the King to give up his opposition. Tui Nayau's answer was remark- able. " It is true," said he, " I sent to inquire about their becoming Christian, in order to prevent it, according to the custom of our land ; so I did to the islands of Oneata and Ono, and the villages of Wathi- wathi, Waitambu, Narothake, and Nukunuku ; but my efforts were ineffectual. Religion is not like a dress, to be put on and off; but it is a, work in the heart. When our message goes to those who have only put religion on, they pretend to be afraid, and give it up ; but those who know religion press on in spite of our opposition, and people will not abandon it. See ! religion exists and prevails at all the places where I made efforts to destroy it ; it spreads, and we shall all become Christian. It is our way to oppose ; but yours to go on with your work, and be successful." At Yandrana, however, the King's message prevented the universal abandonment of Heathenism, which was to have taken place on the next Sabbath. Still the loss by this was only apparent ; for, had the formal acknowledgment of Christianity taken place, it would have been, on the part of many, a purely politic expedient, their hearts remaining