Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/508

 474 FIJI Am) THE FIJIANS. and a large amount of property to be presented, in which, formerly, the priest would have had a handsome share, he could keep up his new profession no longer, but forthwith became inspired in the old style. When the King heard of it, he told some one to ask Mr. Waterhouse to send a man to pray with the priest, A Teacher went ; but the angry and jealous god would not quit. The next morning, Thakombau sent for the priest, who came shaking under the influence of the inspira- tion, which, however, speedily left him when the King belaboured him with a stout stick, which he broke over the sacred back of the august functionary. The cure was effectual, and the outraged deity never entered his minister again ; while priests of lower rank took warning, and feared to practise their deceptions any longer. Great as was the change in the King, yet the power of religion had not gone very deep. His hatred of his enemies and his desire for vengeance were still fierce. His judgment was thoroughly convinced as to the truth and benefit of Christianity ; but, as yet, his heart refused to yield, notwithstanding the many and urgent appeals of the Mis- sionary. The Rewa Chief, elated by the reverses sufiered by Mbau, and by the increase of his own resources, sent a request that Mr. Water- house would remove from Mbau, as he was about to destroy the town and its King. But the faithful servant of God, who had endured so much suffering, and worked so diligently in that place, when no fruit was seen, was not to be frightened away by the danger which made his stay at Mbau the more necessary. This determination greatly affected the King, who said, " When the vessel is sinking, every-^yie is anxious to provide for his own safety, as many of my own relatives are now doing ; but you, when I am reviled, remain to perish with me." " Only be faithful to God," replied the Missionary, " and follow the guidance of His word, and I will remain with you until your death, should it be permitted to come to pass during the present agitation." Mbau was now surrounded by danger which every day grew worse and came nearer. But this sore pressure from without greatly aided the good cause. The people, being reduced and in peril, sought after God, and the proud heart of their King gave way under the weight of his trouble. He began to yield to the milder influences of the Gospel, and sent messengers to the enemy, asking for peace. The Eewan Chief sent back a proud refusal, saying that he would soon kill and eat Thakombau, and that he defied his God, Jehovah, to save him from his vengeance. The King was unmoved by the insulting message, and calmly expressed his confidence in God. About the same time a spy was caught trying to bribe a Mbau town to revolt. The hostile party