Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/347

 LAXEMBA. 317 roof, and all seemed to feel the importance of religion ; but the feel- ing deepened, and all hearts were greatly moved, when the once- dreaded Chief stood forth before his people, and deliberately put away his many wives in favour of one only, to whom he was there and then married by religious contract. His eldest and chief wife, whom he dearly loved, and who had been always faithful, was childless ; and she herself besought him to select another, the mother of children, as the favoured one. The struggle was hard, but the counsel seemed good, and he acted accordingly. The step was difficult and bold, and while it fully tested the man's sincerity, produced an effect among the many Chiefs of Fiji which can hardly be appreciated. These were led to inquire more seriously concerning themselves, and great good was the ultimate result. In the following month Mr. Calvert was removed from Lakemba, where he had laboured for nearly ten years. At the time of his leaving he wrote: "I have lived in great peace in Lakemba, have been on friendly terms with all, and have been connected with a most exten- sive spread of Christianity in Lakemba and its dependencies. There by far the best part of my life has been spent. I feel heartily attached to the people and the place, and could gladly spend there the residue of my days, were I directed by God's all-wise providence to remain. Lakemba is to me more than all the world besides. Yet, where God commands and directs I cheerfully go. I only desire to be where He approves, and do what He requires, for the few remaining days He may employ me. I rejoice in my successor, Mr. Watsford. 1 doubt not but he, in connexion with my devoted colleague, Mr. Malvern, will be abundantly useful at Lakemba. They will have plenty of good work. " For three separate years I was alone at Lakemba, and twice I was with Missionaries who came direct from England. I have sailed to many of the islands in this Circuit in canoes : to Ono, Vatoa, Ongea, Vulanga, Namuka, Oneata, Mothe, Komo, Vuang-gava, Kambara, Vanua, Vatu, Nayau, Vanuambalavu, Munea, and Tuvutha, inhabited : to Aiwa, Olorua, and Tavunasithi, uninhabited. I have walked much on the island, to the various towns. There I have had much and long-con- tinued sickness, and much health. There our Mary * was given back to us when apparently gone. There my beloved wife — after the failure of copious bleeding for several times, the application of blisters, and cupping with razor and tumbler (in the absence of proper apparatus) — -
 * Died in England : see Flotoer/rom Feejes. Mason.