Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/343

 LAKEMBA. 313 friends once more dissuaded him. Under the pressure of growing ex- citement, the Sunday following was fixed for the King's formal profes- sion of Christianity, and every thing went well till the Saturday, when the counsels of heathen Chiefs were strongly backed by Romish Priests, who preferred Tui Nayau's remaining a Heathen to his becoming a Protestant, and once more the King drew back. Not so, however, Wetasau, the Chief next in rank. He had formerly been very obsti- nate in his resistance to the truth, but now his mind was changed, and nothing could longer deter him from the lotu. On hearing that the King had again changed his purpose, he resolved to wait no longer, but on the Saturday evening declared himself a convert to Christianity, by kneeling before God in his own house, while one of his Tongan friends prayed with him. On the following morning he sent to request the Missionary to come and conduct service in his house. This was a bold step, and began a new era in Lakemba. Thousands of times had religious conversations been held within the King's town ; but, as yet, no public service had been allowed there. Now, however, a large house was opened for the purpose, and a good number came to hear. The King settled down again in the old way ; but gave orders that there should be no beating of cloth or other noisy work done in his town on the Sabbath, that the Christians might not be disturbed at their worship. Wetasau remained faithful in his profession, and thus all men saw that they might now lotu with safety. A Tongan, of whom the King was very fond, was sent as Teacher to the Chief, and the King gave leave for a site to be chosen in any part of the town for a chapel, and even went so far as to order the country people to help in plaiting sinnet for its construction. But as yet Wetasau could not be baptized or received as a church member ; for he continued a polygamist. In his defence he urged that many wives were necessary to produce the cloth required as tribute to Mbua, — a point on which the King of Lakema was, of course, very strict. Two years and a half of diligent teaching passed after Weta- sau's profession of Christianity before he yielded to his conviction of duty, and was properly married to one wife, the mother of several fine children. Upwards of ten women were thus discarded ; but they were all soon married to other husbands, and led far happier lives than be- fore. The Chief was now received on trial as a church member, and his decisive conduct was felt to be a keen reproof to the King. After a time, he was fully admitted by baptism, taking the name of William. He was greatly altered, and tried to do good. Once he had to be ex- cluded from church membership on account of his engaging in unright-