Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/459

 vrwA Aim MBAu. 427 Mission machinery received his unwearied care, and, in addition to his constant toil in preaching, visiting the people, travelling to various isl- ands, exposure to storm and privation, diligent training of the Native Agents, and superintendence of the Schools, he had completed an admir- able translation of the New Testament, and carried it through the press. His brother Missionaries clung to him with a love which was mingled with reverent admiration. The converts regarded him with filial affec- tion, and even the Heathen treated him with more than respect. On the day just mentioned, Mr. Hunt was attacked by violent spasms and inflammation, and his end seemed near. So great a calamity as the loss of their beloved Pastor filled the Viwan Christians with dismay, and, with one heart of grief, they gathered about that Throne of Grace to which his faithful hand had led them, and prayed without ceasing that his life might be spared. With mighty pleading did Verani lift up his voice among those sorrowing ones. Deeply did he love the sick Mis- sionary, and now he prayed : " O Lord ! we know we are very bad ; but spare thy servant ! If one must die, take me ! Take ten of us ! But spare thy servant to preach Christ to the people ! " But the Mission- ary's course was run, though, for a little while, he lingered. The great bodily pain was relieved, but a fierce anguish took hold of his soul, and, for some time, the conflict with doubt and fear was terrible. But the end was triumph. The unremitting care and skilful treatment of Mr. Ly th were a source of great relief to the sufferer, and a cause of gratitude to his sorrowing wife. While some prayed at his bed-side, he wept, and became more deeply moved after they had risen from their knees, until his full heart burst forth in the cry, " Lord, bless Fiji ! save Fiji ! Thou knowest my soul has loved Fiji ; my heart has travailed in pain for Fiji ! " Those who stood by, fearing for his weak frame, tried to calm his emo- tion, by telling him that God was blessing Fiji, and that now he must be silent. For a time he yielded, and wept low ; but that great flame of devoted love must leap up in all its glory of earnestness, ere it go out ; and, grasping Mr. Calvert with one hand, he raised the other, crying, " O ! let me pray once more for Fiji ! Lord, for Christ's sake, bless Fiji ! Save Fiji ! Save thy servants ! Save thy people ! Save the Heathen — in Fiji ! " That good heart was as true and mighty as ever ; but the flesh was weak, and he once more became calm at the request of his friends. This was on the 20th of September. On the second of October he felt death to be at hand, and met it with perfect peace, say ing, " I cleave to Jesus, and am right. I have nothing else to look to. He is all I have to trust in. If I look from Him, I am in a vortex — have 28