Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/524

 488 FIJI AISD THE riJIANS. effected in Eiji, where, hitherto, human life had been so cheap, and blood had been poured forth like water. Still this was only the beginning. Horrible crimes were yet committed among the people, and the Mis- sionary goes on to say : " There have been several most shocking cases of strangling, etc., but no more than could have been expected in the transition state- from the tyranny of cruelty to the reign of love. Nor can we expect to reap where we have not sown, or where our agents have been indolent husbandmen. But in no town, as yet, has there been a repetition of such offences, after we have personally endeavoured to convince the people of the sinfulness of these crimes. In work of this sort our Native Assistants are generally very useless; but not invariably so. We were amused at the language of one of them, who arrived at the place of preaching soon after the strangling of a woman, the aunt of a young man recently deceased, The Qiristians told him that they had attempted to prevent the work of destruction, but in vain. ' And where are the imprints of your labours 1 ' said he. * What do you mean ? ' inquired they. ' Why,' rejoined he, ' you should have got your clubs, and fought for the Lord ! ' " Another important occurrence marked this year. Three Mbau Chiefs of rank were publicly married, each to one wife, and hopes were entertained that, before long, Thakombau would take the same decisive step. The state of the Societies and congregations throughout the Circuit was very encouraging, and gave the best evidence that the power of God wrought with His servants among the people. An important point of Church economics was established by Mr. Waterhouse. He says : " After mature reflection, I decided on a measure which some thought, at the time of its adoption, was premature, but which has succeeded admirably ; namely, that all the Native Agents should at once be supported by their congregations. This scheme has cost me a very great deal of personal trouble ; but its beneficial results amply repay me. "1. It saves the funds to the amount of more than £30 annually, m an item which increases its bulk every year. " 2. It bestows upon the people the blessedness of * giving,' furnish- ing them with a frequent and regular opportunity of evidencing their gratitude to God, in a form more tangible than that of words ; and instructing them from the very first, in the scriptural duty of sup- porting the Christian ministry. It gives them a greater interest in the work, as they begin to regard the Teachers not so much as the agents of the Missionary, as they used to do, but as their own Pastors. And