Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/263

BEGINNINGS LAKEMBA AND KEWA. 233 But the door is absolutely open : our brethren already there have at least five Stations, which might be advantageously occupied ; for the very presence of a Missionary has a great influence, though he should not speak a single word. On each of these five Sta- tions there ought, at least, to be two Missionaries. But where are the men, and where the funds ? In England, is the writer's answer ; in benevolent but distant England ; and it is an awful consideration that before help can be afforded, many a Fiji widow will have been strangled ; many a Fiji warrior will have gone into eternity ; many a cannibal feast will have taken place ; and hundreds of immortal spirits will have terminated their probation. Without hope, and without God in the world, they are living and dying. hasten to their shores, that, before they go hence to be no more seen, they may learn something about the only true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent ! that pity for Fiji may lead all who read this Paper to do all they can for the augmentation of the Missionary Fund ! The Committee are anxious to do all they can for this and other cases ; but unless their pecuniary resources be greatly increased, they cannot do all that is required. We call upon all for help. Ye rich men, we call upon you to give more largely out of the funds with which God has intrusted you. * It is required in a steward that a man be found faithful.' Give of what God has given you, and he will re- ward you. Ye tradesmen, give articles suitable to the establishment of a Fiji Mission on a large scale ; for a Mission on a large scale is necessary. Polynesia presents no finer a field for missionary enterprise than in Fiji. Ye young men of talent and piety, who are putting on the harness in order to engage in the work of Missions, ofi'er yourselves for Fiji, and come out with burning zeal for the Lord of Hosts, and ardent love to the souls of men. Ye Christian Parents, see that you do not withhold your sons and daughters from the work : at your peril, do not. Ye Collectors, Male and Female, Adult and Juve- nile, redouble your exertions. We give you another motive to increased effort ; another motto, — ' Fiji, Cannibal Fiji ! Pity, pity, Cannibal Fiji ! ' Surely the set time to favour Fiji is come. Let the Gospel enter this open door, and the scene shall be changed. Peace shall be substituted for war ; love and amity, for hatred and variance ; the moral desert shall become the garden of the Lord ; Fiji shall praise the name of our God, and pray for blessings upon the people who sent them the Gospel. Come then, ye Chris- tians, to the help of the Lord. Think yourselves, as you really are, honoured by the in- vitation. The call is solemnly made to you. listen to it, supported as it is by the wailings of widows and the cries of murdered human beings, — murdered to furnish Ihe murderers with a feast ; and comply with its prayer, by contributing more largely to the Mission Fund; and the blessing of the Highest, as well as the blessing of them that were ready to perish, shall come upon you. Add to your contributions your prayers, that the blessed state of things predicted by the Prophet Isaiah, ii. 2-5, may soon be realized in reference to Fiji, and throughout the whole world. The Lord incline thy heart, Reader, to pity the poor Fijians, and to help according to thy ability ! Give, if thou art able, largely ; and if thou canst not give, fray. pray for poor cannibal Fiji, that God would pour out His Spirit upon that wilderness, so that it also may be pflad, and blossom as the rose ! Amen." This Appeal was extensively circulated at home, and read at the Missionary prayer-meetings, and the deepest feeling of concern was aroused for the people on whose behalf it was made. Strong sympathy was felt with the two lonely labourers in Fiji, and earnest prayers were sent up for their safety and success. Contributions came fast flowing into the Mission House, and letters urging the .Committee to meet the pressing demand. The Society was already burdened Avith debt, and other Stations required assistance ; but this claim seemed to surpass