Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/334

 304 FIJI AND THE FIJIAl^S. uninfluenced by those truths which they hated even when seeming to embrace them. Among those who actually became Christians at this time, was some very decided characters, who formed a good foundation for the Church to be built upon afterwards in Yandrana. Such was Vosa, the son of the King's orator, and an influential man of twenty- eight years of age. He learned the alphabet in a few hours, and was very soon able to read the New Testament. Wetasau, the Chief next in rank to the King, came over to Yandrana and besought the people to remain heathen ; but the Christians told him that their new religion would not affect their loyalty, or the amount of their tribute. The Chief upbraided Vosa with his folly in becoming Christian, telling him that he could not now succeed his father as King's speaker ; to which Vosa replied that his religion would not disqualify him for that office, and that no one should deprive him of it. This man made rapid progi-ess in all respects ; commending religion, and maintaining its superiority to the old Heathenism. After a time he became a Local Preacher, and has since been employed as a useful Teacher in several islands. Under the diligent care of the Missionaries and their trained Agents, the good work prospered greatly in this town : a large chapel was soon put up, the number of converts increased, and several efficient Teachers were taken eventually from this Church to carry the truth elsewhere. In 1854, nearly twelve years after that morning when a few met Mr. Calvert in the temple to accept Christianity, the same Missionary, being in want of men to help in other parts of the group, again visited Yandrana, to try, by the kind permission of the Superintendent, whether any would be ready to give themselves up. He called upon the Chief, Lua, one of the few left who took part in the first service on that eventful morning twelve years ago. Lua had long been ill and was very weak, but quite happy in prospect of death. He said : " I am very glad to see you once again before I die. My body is weak ; but I trust in Jesus Christ who saves me. I think I shall not live long ; but I do not trouble about that. I leave all to the Lord, contented to die and go to live with Jesus." This testimony greatly cheered the Missionary. The Chief then told him that as men were wanted, he might take any of his relatives and people who were ready to go, say- ing that they had much better be employed for the salvation of souls than remain at home to plant yams and taro, and build houses. The Fijians are generally very industrious, and the men go out daily to a distance from the town to cultivate the soil and cook vege- tables, while the women are busy making cloth at home, or fishing on