Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/337

 LAKEMBA. SOY " Sunday, 12th. — We met early this morning, to pray that our visit to this island might be made a blessing to its inhabitants. I walked to two settlements, Toka and Na-ivi-ndamu, and conversed with the peo- ple on the subject of their souls' salvation. I then took a small canoe and crossed the water to Muanaira, and thence proceeded to the largest town, Muaniithake, where, finding a number of old men engaged in plaiting sinnet in an open space in the centre of the town, I asked and gained their permission to conduct public service. Some of them re- frained from their employment reluctantly at first, but their attention was arrested by our singing and prayer ; nor had I reason to complain of those who gathered round us, to the number of three or four score. They listened attentively while I remarked on the miracle wrought by Christ in behalf of the man sick of the palsy. A young and truly excellent Fijian Local Preacher then exhorted his countrymen to turn from idols to serve the living God. We then visited several of the people at their homes, and returned in the evening, thankful for an op- portunity of proclaiming Jesus to these long-neglected ones. '• On the night of the 13th we reached Vatoa, and were glad to find that most of our people remain of one heart and mind, endeavouring to serve God acceptably. On the evening of the 14th I encouraged them to put their trust in God ; after which I met a Class of men. The sound and scriptural experience of some of them at once surprised and re- freshed me. " On the 15th, we prepared early to proceed on the most dangerous part of our voyage. The appearance of the mornmg led us to anti- cipate a fine day ; but in this we were disappointed, and, after we had been about three hours out at sea, a very unfavourable change took place in the weather. The wind became very strong, and with it we had a heavy sea. Our sail was rent ; one of the yards snapped in two, and we had scarcely mended it when a large steer-oar broke. The one put in its place had not been down many minutes before it shared a similar fate. Happily the canoe had been lately repaired and refastened with new sinnet, or in all probability it would have parted. We ac complished our voyage with difficulty ; but were eventually brought safely to the desired haven by our gracious Master. Some of the Ono people came to meet us, and welcome us to their land, on which we had not long been before they brought us refreshment. We slept on a small island, and proceeded to Ono Levu next morning. The people here wept for joy when they beheld me accompanied by my noble friend Silas Faone, who is to take the superintendency of our work here. The women new-matted the chapel, and the men were engaged