Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/349

 LAKEMBA. 319 lie had taken great pains with Tui Nayau, the King of Lakemba, and had won his regard, so that on the morning of his departure, the King went to him and kissed him, at the same time presenting him with a beautiful necklace of whales' teeth, promising that he would soon lotu. During the next week he kept his word. For a long time he had been resisting his convictions that Christianity was true, and its claims j ast ; and now circumstances occurred to hasten his decision. A powerful Mbau Chief, who was vasu to Lakemba, had of late been much dissatisfied with his visits to that island. He had not been allowed the same licence he used formerly to enjoy, and, in addition to this, Wetasau, who, while heathen, had promised him his daughter, now refused to give her up, as she had become Christian, and was de- termined not to go to Mara, unless she could be his one and lawful wife. Several other girls in the King's town were withheld from him on the same grounds ; and, to provoke him more, he knew that the Kinj fully countenanced this state of affairs. Very soon, reports came that Mara, with a large army, was on his way to attack Lakemba. At this crisis, the heart of Tui Nayau yielded, and on the 19th of October, 1849, he made a public profession of his Christianity, joined by the only remaining heathen priest and some of his friends. On hearing of this, the Chief of the great town of Nasangkalu, ordered the drum to be beaten for service, and together with many of his people joined, for the first time, in the worship of God. The following Sab- bath was a day of great rejoicing on Lakemba and the other islands whither the news had travelled. Every opposition to the whole people becoming Christian was now removed. A meeting of the principal Chiefs and people was held in the King's house, on the 25th, in order to consult on measures for the better government of the kingdom. Among other things, it was agreed that the common people should be respectful to their own Chiefs and to the King, and that all should be industrious. It was further ordered that no petty Chief should be per- mitted to impose taxes on the people. Mr. Lyth had now returned to Lakemba to fill Mr. "Wats- ford's place, and in writing home, after describing the public meeting, says : — " A remarkable event in the history of Lakemba took place on the day follomng this meeting, which, but for the overruling providence of God, might have ended in very disastrous consequences. This was the sudden appearance of a Mbau Chief, Mara, closely connected with Lakemba, who, having taken umbrage, came with an army of three hundred fighting men, with purposes of revenge. Six large canoes anchored at midway within musket-shot of the beach, filled with armed Heathens ; and nothing but an interposition of Divine Providence prevented their landing, and at once commencing the work of destruction and murder. The hostile Chief, and one or two with him, were