BEGnnsriNGS — lakemba and eewa. 219 niture, articles for barter, books, clothes, doors, windows, and various stores were landed and carried to the two houses, and that evening the families took possession of their new homes. The next day was the Sabbath. The Missionaries opened their commission by preaching twice out of doors, in the Tongan language, to about a hundred and fifty Tongans and Fijians. The King was in- vited, and came to the morning service, listening very attentively. Thus the work was fairly begun ; and hard work it was. As they could spare time from their carpentering and fitting up the houses, — putting in windows, hanging doors, etc., — the Missionaries applied them- selves diligently to the study of the Fijian language. They soon found that the alphabet which they had arranged at Tonga was defective ; and, after very full examination on the spot, additional characters were introduced, and the powers of others altered, and the alphabet as it now stands, answering admirably the requirements of the language, was established.* One of the most important objects to be accomplished was the translation of the sacred Scriptures. Aided by the analogy which sub- sits among all the Oceanic tongues, the Missionaries, from their previous intimacy with the Tongan, were soon able to master the Fijian lan- guage ; and, by the help of the Fijian Teacher, who had accompanied them from the Friendly Islands, and other natives, they were soon able to send a revised version of the first part of Saint Matthew's Gospel to the Tongan press, where twenty-four pages 12mo. were printed and forwarded to Lakemba. This small portion, including our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, proved very valuable. Urgent application was
- In July, 1830, the late Eev. John Williams and the Eev. Mr. Barff called at Tonga, on their
way to Fiji, with two Tahitian Teachers. From the painfully distressing accounts received from Mr. Samuel Henry and others, they were "induced to re-consider and re-arrange their plans ; "" and they abandoned their "original intention" of going to Fiji. The two Teachers were sent by Captain Lawlor and Mr. Samuel Henry ; and an old Fijian Chief, who had been at Sydney, also accompanied them, taking the Teachers under his charge. These Teachers went to Lakemba, where they remained for a short time with Takai. Being persecuted there, he and they removed to the small island of Oneata, where they built a chapel. A few persons there joined them in the worship of the Lord. These Teachers had not been visited at all since they were sent from Tonga, They were industrious in planting their food, and fishing, and their conduct was good ; but they had not been successful in their Mission either at Lakemba or Oneata. The Eev. W. Cross, in visiting them in 1836, says, "The two Tahitian Teachers, and Takai, the Chief under whose pro- tection they reside, requested to be taken under our pastoral care. It is remarkable that, though these Teachers have been in Fiji nearly six years, neither of them has attempted either to exhort or pray in the Fijian or Tougan languages, or to teach any of the people to read. This being the case, we considered it necessary to place another Teacher with them, and fixed upon one who un- derstands both." These two Teachers were requested to pray and teach in the Fijian language. They attempted, but were never able to enunciate the language at all correctly. However they continued as Local Preachers with the Wesleyan Church, and conducted themselves in a very becoming manner, until it pleased God a few years ago to take them home. They both died in peace. 9 15
