Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/507

 VIWA AND MBATJ. 478 advised that Mbau be destroyed, and the inhabitants swept from the face of the earth, which, he said, could be done while he was smoking a cigar. Among false statements, there were some truths forcibly put. Thakombau was angry and disturbed at hearing this violent letter read. Everything seemed to be going against him, and in his sore perplexity he was the more ready to heed the communication from King George, although he still hesitated to take any decisive step towards his own profession of Christianity. In a few days, however, he made up his mind. On the 30th of April, Mr. Waterhouse sent for Mr. Calvert to come over to Mbau to conduct the religious service, at which the king was to lotu. At nine o'clock the death-drum, rongo- rongoi valu, " reporter of war," was beaten. Ten days before, its sound had called the people together to a cannibal feast ; now it gave the signal for assembling in the great Stranger's House for the worshipping of the true God. About three hundred people were in the building, before whom stood the Vunivalu, with his children and many wives and other relatives. In front of him was his priest, an old man with grey hair and a long beard. All had assumed the more ample loiit dress, and were well behaved and serious. Mr. Calvert, who had so long watched and toiled for this event, was deeply moved by the scene, and could scarcely find voice to go on with the service. That was a day ever to be remembered as one of the most important in the annals of Fiji. After worship, the people crowded about the Missionaries to ask for alphabets, and gathered in groups to learn to read. In the afternoon Mr. Waterhouse preached to a congregation as large as that of the morning. Thakombau was evidently relieved, now that he had thrown off the old yoke of Heathenism. He caused the Sabbath to be strictly observed, and procured a large bell, by which to summon his numerous household to family prayer. His own attendance at the preaching and prayer-meetings was regular, and his deportment serious. His little boy, of about seven years of age, had already been permitted to bear the name of Christian, and had learned to read. The little fellow now became the teacher of his parents, who were both so eager to acquire knowledge, that sometimes their young instructor would fall asleep with fatigue in the midst of the lesson, to resume it after a refreshing nap. The example of the King in joining the lotu was followed by many, some of whom, no doubt, took the step as a matter of expediency. Among these was the high priest at Mbau, whose heart still clung to the old system, the gains and emoluments of which he remembered with fond regret. When the King's daughter was about to be married?