Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/461

 YIWA AND MBATT. 429 After the ^idow and the Missionaries, followed the white inhabitants, neatly attired for the occasion, and many natives wept as for a father. A short account of Mr. Hunt's death was drawn up and published for distribution among the natives. Spme time afterwards there arrivd in Fiji a neat iron tomb and fence, which was sent out bv John Chubb, Esq., of Islington, as a testi- monial to the memory of so good and great a man. It was erected over the grave, and few visit Viwa without going to look upon the spot made sacred by the dust of John Hunt. Mr. Calvert, who had come over from Lakemba, could not leave Mr. Lyth during the illness of their late brother ; but sent a native by the " Wesley " to Lakemba, to assist Mrs. Calvert in packing, previous to cheir removal to Viwa. From that Station he soon afterwards wrote to the General Secretaries, stating the position and prospects of the Mission at the time of Mr. Hunt's death, and pleading strongly for more Missionaries : — " In writing to you from Fiji, after ten years' labours, I enter upon the duty with peculiar feelings, on account of our past successes, present depressing circumstances, and the insufficient means of at all adequately attending to the number and extent of the places open for, and demanding, increased labours. " In reviewing the past ten years — the period nearly elapsed since the arrival of the eldest of the present race of Missionaries — we gratefully remember that, though we have been few in number, and stationed distant from each other, we have laboured together under the eminent advantage of being of one heart and one mind ; so that our prayers and labours have not been hindered : each has been ready to help the other, which has been done sometimes at great personal risk, and much fatigue and sacrifice, and that without grudging or ostentation. Each has been wilUng to be anywhere, and do any work ; each has readily fallen into his proper place, and done the work which evidently belonged to him. Our lives have been prolonged ; some having been raised as from watery graves, and others rescued from the jaws of death. TTorking health has been granted. We have been zealously affected, and cheerful to labour, in the good cause. Though few, the labourers have been most suitable for every branch of the very Mission in which we have been engaged : one eminently qualified for translating, who has effected much ; a Doctor, who has saved lives in the Mission party, and whose willingness to communicate has made some of us somewhat skilful in the much-needed-here art of heal- ing ; a printer, who has surpassed any tropical printing within our knowledge ; a builder, who commenced very desirable improvements in our habitations, and has given all com- mendable emulation and skill in the means of preserving and promoting health ; a man of good skUl and ability in teaching, who set Infant Schools afloat, which is a most es- sential part of our work. We have also had efficient native agency from Tonga, and many Fijians, who have been able and willing to teach their countrymen. As yet we have been saved from violent persecution and opposition. Much preparatory work, of the utmost importance, has been effected ; grammars, and a copious dictionary of the language, have been prepared. A most excellent version of the Xew Testament has been translated" and printed. A short system of theology has been prepared and printed, and long in circulation, and a much-enlarged edition is nearly ready for the press. Cate- chisms and other books have been printed, and part of the Old Testament has been trans- lated. Institutions have been established for Native Teachers. Infant and adult schools