Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/367

 EEWA. 33T offerings to his priest and god. The King himself also attended one service, declaring that all he heard was true, and that his own worship was false. He also spoke kindly to the Chief who had become Chris- tian. At the town of Suva, about eighteen miles from Eewa, a man who was ill had become a Christian. This was an opening for paying a Mission visit. The Missionary called upon the Chief Ravulo, who is of high rank in Fiji, being related to Tanoa of Mbua. He consented to a religious service being held on the Sabbath in the large strangers' house ; but, before the time arrived, sent a messenger to tell the Mis- sionary that he himself intended to become a Christian, and wished the service to be at his own house. A considerable congregation met there, and several joined with their Chiefs in bowing before the true God. Both he and his Queen became very earnest, and soon learned to read. The work spread and prospered in Suva, greatly to the joy of the Missionaries, who had long seen the advantage of having the direct help of some powerful Chief, both to countenance the lotu^ and to relieve the heavy burden of many temporal cares. When Ravulo heard that posts were wanted for the building at Eewa, he had some very good ones prepared and sent to the Station, receiving in return a coat to wear on the Sabbath. About this time the " Peacock," United States exploring ship, in command of Captain Hudson, called at Rewa, and took away Veindovi, the King's brother, who was the principal in the murder of eight Americans in 1832.* Captain Hudson spoke much to the King and Chiefs on the truth and importance of Christianity, and by his blameless conduct, and refusal to indulge the criminal licence which most foreigners had sought, exerted an influence on behalf of religion which has been most helpful to the Mission ever since. Another and heavier calamity now befell the Mission circle. Mrs. Cargill broke down under the pressure of the recent trials and alarms, added to the usual arduous duties which she had always discharged with great faithfulness. She died " in the Lord" on the second of June, and on the next day was buried with her baby of five days old. Mrs. Cargill was a woman of rare and excellent spirit, filled with devoted love, and warmly attached to the Mission work, in which she was usefully employed for more than six years. She died urging upon those about her the importance of a more earnest zeal in their great work ; and, as she passed away, they who listened felt that their loss was great indeed. Her memory is blessed in Fiji. In that dark, and
 * See woodcut, p. 80.