Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/351

 LAKEMBA. 321 Redeemer seems to have claimed Fiji for His own. The Heathen are continually throw- ing away their idolatry, renouncing the superstition of their fathers, and embracing the religion of the Saviour. Heathen temples are every where to be seen tumbling into ruins ; and their votaries, instead of being deluded and tormented by their deceptive oracles, are found worshipping in the temple of Jehovah, and consulting ' the oracles Divine,' which are able to make, and have made, many of them * wise unto salvation.' Great numbers, at present, are mere professors of Christianity. We do not pretend to say that they possess vital religion ; yet even they are very much better than they were in their heathen state. But there are many — and their number is constantly increasing —who have truly repented, and have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved. They well know what it is to have their sins, which were many, all forgiven them, and from day to day are happy in the love of God. The work of this extensive Circuit has become far too much for two Missionaries to attend to. We are often greatly perplexed to know what to do, in order to meet the pressing demands of the people, who on all bands are begging for Teachers to instruct them. The Lord has raised up considerable native help ; but there are several places that we cannot possibly supply." The want of more help was painfully felt by the two Missionaries, who laboured most devotedly to give, as far as possible, -the care and teaching which the growing claims of their Circuit required. Their voyages were frequent, long, and often perilous. On one trip, Mr. Malvern was at sea three nights in a frail canoe. At the island of To- toya he found things in a cheering state. There were about three hundred who professed Christianity, and fifty-nine church members, who showed great earnestness as well as intelligence in their religion. No Missionary had ever visited the island before, yet everything was orderly and encouraging. Twenty-eight persons were baptized on this occasion. From the District Meeting of 1850, an urgent request was sent to the Committee at home for two trained school-masters, one for each main division of the group. The want of such men was greatly felt, to leave the Missionaries more at liberty for preaching and the care of the general interests of the Churches. In October of this year, Mr. Malvern visited the little island of Thikombia, where he found all the inhabitants dwelling in one town on the top of a high rock, one of the sides of which formed a fearful preci- pice. Yet here the people, with their children and their pigs, lived and roamed about in perfect security. No one had ever fallen over the cliff, except four women who jumped down, to destroy themselves, and only two of them were killed. In this eyrie village the religion of Jesus had found a resting-place, and there were many who, from their nigh rock, beheld Him, and lived daily in prayer and praise. Mr. Mal- vern found the Teacher's health rapidly failing ; but his mind was very peaceful and happy. Mango was the next island visited. Here the Missionary was also