Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/338

 308 FIJI ANT) THE FIJIAi?^S. in making us a feast. I had not been long on the island before I wag informed that the people waited for me to ask a blessing on the food which they had brought, and arranged neatly before my door, compris- ing twenty-five baked pigs, two turtles, with fish, native puddings, two hundred bunches of ripe bananas, and hundreds of yams and cocoa- nuts, — abundantly testifying that the people did not love in word only. Some time after they brought me a fine mat, as a present ; and a bun- dle of native cloth, as an expression of their love, was given to their new Teacher. During my stay, I was fully employed amongst them. '• Sunday, 19th, was a high day with the people. I preached at Ono Levu in the morning about the Philippian jailor, and afterwards bap- tized ninety-nine persons. From this place I walked about four miles, and preached at Matokano, from Rom. v. 8, baptized fifty-five persons, and married two couples. At Waini preached and baptized forty-seven persons. The greater number of those who were baptized at each place were adults. Many pleasing circumstances occurred on this day, and during my stay, which I would gladly notice, had I time. " As we returned, I re-visited the people at Vatoa, and baptized several. Upon the whole, I think I shall have cause to bless God to all eternity for what I have seen and heard and felt. I was one month from home. I know it is well to be cautious in speaking of the piety of persons so lately introduced to a knowledge of the true God ; but this I believe may be said of many on each of these islands : they are a Christian people, rejoicing in the faith of Jesus, and ripening for heaven by a daily progress in the graces of the Gospel." In August of the following year, 1843, the Lakemba Circuit was deprived of the valuable services of Mr. Williams, who was removed to Somosomo, in consequence of the death of Mr. Cross. Mr. Calvert was thus left once more alone. He had long been suffering from dysen- tery, and the Somosomo climate was known to be unfavorable to that disease. This fact, in connexion with that of his knowledge of the Tongan language, made it desirable for him to remain at Lakemba. As the truth spread among the Fijians, the conduct of the Tongans was felt to be very injurious. Their manner of life was unfavourable to religious consistency and propriety, as most of them lived upon the industry of the Fijians. They were poor and proud, idle but influen- tial, hated and feared. They were numerous, and had access to, and were honoured in, all the principal parts of Fiji. Though their home, such as it was, was Lakemba, where they resided, yet they were in a great measure under the control of the Mbau Chief; and, though nom