Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/493

 viwA Jlst> mbatt. 459 pitiating the gods who had deceived them, they had but little time or inclination to erect a Mission-house ; so the hope of an establishment here was again deferred. In July, Fiji was visited by the United States sloop of war, the " St. Mary's," commanded by Captain G. A. Magruder. When he addressed the people — as he did everywhere, in the King's house, temple, on board his ship — on the truth and excellence of religion, they wondered at his earnestness. The Queen of Rewa exclaimed, " O ! is he a Chris- tian 1 " " O, yes ! " he replied ; " tell her, religion is too good a thing for me to neglect it." The Captain made Thakombau wince, as he urged him not to carry out the strangling custom at his father's death. He appealed to the Chief's conscience with searching fidelity, and asked him to think of his going to the final judgment with the blood of those women to account for to God. Thakombau felt keenly, and replied that he should not forget the warning ; but that so great a man as Tanoa must not die un- attended ; — it would be a disgrace throughout Fiji. Captain Magruder met the half caste children at Ovalau, and ad- dressed them. They kindly gave presents of Fijian curiosities to the Captain, w^ho presented them with various useful articles. He also met the whites, and strongly urged them to resist from drinking, and to try to maintain the good report which had been circulated of them. He besought them to seek religion, and to be helpful to the Missionaries. The impression made by this visit in favour of Christianity was deep and lasting. The ship was remarkably clean, and everything in admi- rable order. His officers, too, were religious, and a Sunday school was conducted on board. On Sundays Captain Magruder read prayers and a sermon with the officers and men. While Mr. Calvert was on board the large Bible was presented to him, with a request that he would read and pray before retiring to rest. On the Sabbath he was invited to preach on board, to a large, well-dressed, and well-behaved congre- gation. The New Testament and other books were read on deck. Be- fore the Act for the suppresion of flogging had passed Congress, the men on board the " St. Mary's " had been managed without the inflic- tion of that cruel punishment. Only forty of the men on board con- tinued to take their allowance of grog, which was only half the quantity formerly served out. It was most gratifying to meet with this intelli- gent and thoroughly Christian gentleman, maintaining good principles on board a ship of war, beseeching the natives who were Christian to hold fast the blessed religion which they had obtained, and advising and entreating the Heathen to abandon Heathenism, and seek sahation. 30