Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/567

 MBTJA. 529 they require more Missionaries for themselves ; and what is the use of our making an appeal to them for help *? It is, in their present circum- stances, like asking gold from one who has no money. If Mbau be burned, if the King be murdered, the glorious work of God hindered, and hundreds of Christian congregations scattered and torn like flocks of sheep by ravenous wolves, let it be known in England that this hap- pened in Fiji for want of Missionaries^ — and it will require no great searchings of heart to know that the blame rests on those who have withheld the means of sending them. When I think of those who hoard up, and refuse to give of their wealth to the Giver of all riches to help in converting the world, I see the effect of their penuriousness in the conflagration of towns, the murder of Christians, the violation of chastity, the wailings of infancy, the infirmities of old age not only unpitied, but turned into mockery ; and my heart yearns over those whose suffer- ings are unremoved through love of gold. If all the stirring scenes of Calvary, and the unchangeable love of a merciful God, will not stir such up to duty, could you not alarm their fears by exhibiting the fearful consequences of retaining more than is meet, when Christ's, cause with suffering humanity requires it % But you will be thinking, if I do not cease this strain, that I have become excitable. Well — we see exciting scenes ; and, if some of our friends in England saw them, they would be thankful that the Lord only called upon them to send men instead of coming themselves. " We are very happy in our family, and in our work ; and hope, if we live more than half the time you did in Fiji, to see great results, th<» fruit of your labours and of those of your colleagues."