Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/373

 EEWA. 343 A Tongan, whose life had been spent in Fiji, where he had grown up a Heathen, in the closest intimacy with the Chiefs and people of Rewa, became truly converted, and received at baptism the name of Job. He soon learned to read and write, and was zealous in trying to do good. He had frequent opportunities of talking with large parties at the King's house. One day, in order to bring about a conversation, the King complained about Job's planting, saying that there w^as no need for Christian people to do that. Job, in contending for the necessity of industry, referred to the Bible. " ! " said the King, " how should you know anything about books 1 You have never come from Tonga or England, but have dwelt in Fiji all your life." "That's true," rejoined Job, " but I can read a little, and thus I know something." Other Chiefs said, " It's a strange thing that when a man joins the lotu he becomes wise quickly, and contends that the lotu is quite true, and Jehovah the only God. How is it 1 " The King said " They read, and thus know ; or else they ask the Missionaries." " But how is it that they do not fear us 1 " asked one of the Chiefs. " ! " replied the King, " they do not fear to die ; they give themselves up to their God ; and life or death is good to them. But this is not the case with us. When we are sick, we ask where we shall go that we may live. We then run to one place, and to another, that we may get strong. But these lotu people act otherwise." On another occasion they asked Joo if he had not become a Teacher. He said he had not, but would gladly tell them what he knew about religion. " Ah," said a Chief, deridingly, " it is like food without seasoning when Tongans who have been living wath us become Teachers, and talk to us about the lotit, as Job here, and Isaac, and others." Job replied, " What I know, I have learnt while I have been residing on the other side of the river with the Christians and the Missionary ; and because I have love in my heart tow^ards you, I come here and talk to you. Formerly we ate, drank, sailed, slept, and dwelt together, and therefore I come to tell you what I now know. It would be wrong were I to conceal from you what I have discovered, and you would be injured by remaining in ignorance. I leave wdth you what I have already said. When I hear any new thing during the present year, I will come and tell it you." The King said, with great emphasis, " The lotu makes all our land to move 1 »" The King was right. That Gospel which had " turned the world up- side down, had come hither also," and already its power was felt. It was no small victory gained, when that Mission Church numbered its few first converts. They needed sincerity and firmness to enable them