Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/398

 368 Fui A^^) the tljjjcss. The Mission at Rewa was now fairlv started again. Mr. Moore was urged by many of the people to remain, and consented. They had greatly marvelled at his behaviour when his house was burnt and his family exposed to peril, and they wondered that he continued to treat them with so much kindness. He had worked hard and successfully in endeavouring to restore peace, which many were anxious should con- tinue. There was still, however, a war-party; and it was generally believed that the destruction of the Mission-house originated with them. But in this case, as in others, the enemies of peace and the Gospel not only failed, but their evil deeds recoiled on themselves, serving to fiirther the ends they wished to frustrate. Much labour had been expended on this Mission, without any considerable apparent suc-cess ; but the seed had been sown, and the minds of the people were made familiar with the claims of true religion, and thus stood prepared, when any move towards the lotu should be made. An occasion soon came. A man who, though not of highest rank, yet held the most influential position now in Eewa, publicly abandoned Heathenism and professed Christianity. This made no small stir, and the chief men assembled and demanded his reasons for taking such a daring step. He replied, "' I have been induced to become a Christian because our priests are generally false ; and because the King's priest, while striking the posts, promised that he would bring the late King to life after he was dead; also because Mr. Moore's house was burnt without my being told of it, which has grieved me.*' The Chief had well considered the step, and now re- mained firm, much to the Mmoyance of the French Priest, who told him that if he became Protestant, he would be like a great fish among little fishes, frightening them out of his net, and begged him, as a much better alternative, to remain heathen. The new convert, however, stood fast, and became very earnest in prayer and regular in his attention to religious duties. Another consultation of Chiefs was therefore held, when it was resolved that they too should lotu, that peace should be permanent, and that all the towns and islands belonging to Rewa should be urged to serve the one true God. Four canoes arrived from Lakemba, bringing a Chief and several other Christians, who zealously advocated the claims of re]igion, and thus strengthened the good* work, which now went on viith vigour. The seed was springing at last, and the heart of the Missionary was glad. He wrote thus to the General Secretaries : — "Eewa, Xovemher I2th, 1855.
 * Thetgs have taken quite a change in this Circuit. Our prospects