Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/519

 VIWA AICD MBATJ. 483 On the 26th of January, 1855, the whole course of events was turned by the death of Ratu Nggara, this implacable King of Rewa, who was carried off by dysentery. At the time of death he was uncon- scious, and thus unable to leave those charges for the continuance of war, which the Fijians deem so sacredly binding on the survivors. Thakombau at once sent an ambassador, asking for peace. " Tell the Rewa people," said he, "to become Christian, and let us establish a peace that shall be lasting. If we fight, and one party conquers, thereby making peace, evil will remain and spring up. Let us all become Christian, and establish peace : then all will be likely to go on well. 1 am Christian, not because I am weak or afraid, but because I know it to be true. 1 trust in God alone." The Chiefs received the message favourably, and sent an ambassador to Mbau with a peace-offer- ing. Some, however, wished the war to continue ; and it was their vexation at the interference of the Missionaries to obtain peace, that led to the burning of Mr. Moore's house at Rewa. The events that followed have already been related in the account of the Rewa Mission. Just at the time when Mara, who had not been consulted in the late pacification, had gathered his dependents and the malcontent tribes into another formidable opposition, King George of Tonga came to Fiji, where, contrary to his own wish, he became in- volved in the war, and brought it to a speedy termination. Seventy towns returned to their allegiance to Mbau, and all clemency was shown to those who had taken part in the rebellion. A deep impression was thus produced in favour of the religion which could produce effects so strange in Fiji, and many were led to give attention to its claims and teachings. Before King George left, with the handsome presents he had received, a meeting of the Vunivalu with Mara, Tui Levuki, and other rebel Chiefs, took place on board H.M.S. " Herald," commanded by Captain Denham, and then lying off Ovalau. The peace was pro- fessedly confirmed, and Thakombau, after reproving the others for their past folly and rebellion, urged them now to give themselves up to the pursuits of peace, and attend to the tilling of the land and the interests of trade. The work of the Missionaries, after much toil and discouragement, was thus followed by success at last. The great Stranger's House at Mbau was set apart for the public worship of God, and about a thou- sand people would meet there, a large proportion of whom were evi- dently sincere worshippers, many of them having bitterly repented of their sins, and brought forth fruits meet for repentance. The great centre being gained, the good work went on without hinderance on all