Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/400

 370 FIJI AKD THE FIJIANS. has been progressing all the year, as you will see by our returns, our numbers having doubled that of last year. " This Circuit is divided into nine branches, embracing separate kingdoms and va- rious clusters of islands. The Mission-house is at Rewa Bay. "We give the Eeport of two or three of these branches. " Rewa Branch. — This extends some twelve miles east and five north from the Bay. About one-third of the people are professing Christians. It comprises forty towns. We have here five chapels ; five other preaching-places, with six Teachers, and congregations averaging from fifty to two hundred ; six day schools, averaging attendance from fifty to one hundred. In some parts of this branch the work is very promising. "We have had several conversions, and a goodly number are beginning to read the Scriptures. In the town of Rewa there has been much to discourage ; the Chiefs, of whom there are many about the same rank, are not united, and they carry their petty quarrels into the lotu, and thus some fifty, including men, women, and children, have become Papists. This is the only chance Popery has in Fiji ; its foundation must be dissension and discord ; and as peace and unity can be brought about by the preaching of ' Christ crucified,' so it will perish with its foundation. " Nakelo Branch. — This comprises eighteen towns, and is situated inland, about five miles north of the Bay. Here we have three Teachers, three day schools, three chapels, five other preaching-places, with congregations averaging from fifty to four hun- dred. Two-thirds of the population are Christians. There is a good work going on here, and several are under concern for their souls. Many are beginning to read the Scriptures, and read in instruction classes. This is a fine field for labour ; the people have been very attentive to their teachers, and there is a prospect of great good. " Naitasiri Branch. — This kingdom includes a large extent of country along the banks of a fine river, very populous, and mostly heathen. Here we have four Teachers, two chapels, four other preaching-places, with congregations averaging from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. The Chief of this place, with many of his people, are inquiring after God, and we hope are ' not far from the kingdom.' " Suva Branch. — This is another small kingdom, ten miles west of the Bay, and the key to a large heathen district. Here we have two Teachers, one chapel, two other preaching-places, and congregations averaging from one to two hundred. We see the literal fulfilment of Scripture in this place : ' And Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their Queens thy nursing mothers : they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord ; for they shall not be ashamed that wait on Me.' The King and Queen here have been very decided ; and having great influence with their people, the work has spread and deep- ened all the year. About thirty have begun to read the Scriptures ; a few are under concern for their souls ; and instruction classes have been formed. We entertain great hope of good in this branch. " Serua Branch. — This is another small kingdom on this coast, and about thirty miles west from the Bay, Within the last three months we have placed a Teacher here. He has a congregation of two hundred. The whole district around is heathen. This is a very central Station, in a populous district, and will be as a light in a dark place. Yanutha, a small island ten miles farther west, is connected with this place for the pres- ent. We have about two hundred and fifty Christians here, but no Teacher for them. We have just sent them a youth to teach them to read. " Nandronga Branch. — Another kingdom, and an old Station that has cost much labour, and not altogether without fruit, where a small Society has been formed. Two from them have begun to exhort their countrymen, but still the work does not spread. They have long been engaged in war, and are so still. Many dead bodies have been eaten here during the last three months, and they declare that they will not become Christian until they devour the whole of their enemy. The Teacher has been subject to much an-