Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/352

 322 FIJI AJH) THE FIJIA^S. cheered by evident progress ; and, in one day, baptized twenty-nine adults, nineteen children, and married twelve couples, besides preaching and administering the Lord's Supper. On the next day, his purpose of going directly home to Lakemba was changed by a contrary wind, which induced him to visit Nayau, about fifty miles off, which, after a rough voyage, he reached at sunset, very thankful that the canoe had not been shattered by the violence of the waves. With reference to this, Mr. Malvern writes : " Soon after our arrival, I saw that it was the hand of the Lord that had brought us hither. I found the lotu in a better state than at any place to which I had been. Nearly the whole of the adults on the island, I should judge, are in possession of, or are earnestly seeking, salvation. One of their leaders said that, twelve months ago, they were like a canoe with her point unsettled — first shifting this way, then that way, instead of sailing direct for the land she was bound for ; but now they are miia donu, (' sailing straight,') their minds fLxed for serving God, and getting to heaven." On Sun- day, the 27th, Mr. INIalvern met and examined the Society, greatly to his satisfaction ; preached, and administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the members, and baptism to upwards of one hun- dred persons. Tlie next day several more were baptized, and seven couples married. November 21st, Mr. Lyth writes : " Respecting Lakemba, we have gratefully to acknowledge the continuance of a very gracious influence in our religious services, a greater demand for books than we can sup- ply, and a diligent attention to reading. I have just attended to the quarterly visitation of the fourteen Classes connected with our principal chapel here, and have had, in many instances, cause for gratitude, in seeing the grace of God at work in the hearts of the people who, a few months ago, were far from God and righteousness ; in others, the evi- dences of a sound conversion and growth in grace. Persons are applying almost every week for admission into our Society. Connected with our institution for training Native Agents, we have between twenty and thirty of different ages, all anxious to improve, and diligent in at- tending brother Malvern's writing class, as well as my weekly lecture on theology. All these can read the Scriptures, and most of them give satisfactory e^ddence that they have received the truth in the love of it, and are made partakers of the Holy Ghost." Mr. Lyth writes, March 11th, 1851 : — "In the close of December last I had a narrow escape froni being clubbed by a Popish youth, who is called the King's son. His name was Puamau. He had occasionally called at my house, and received some marks of kindness from me.