Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/267

BEGINNINGS — LAKEMBA AND EEWA. 237 at Lakemba on a trading trip ; and it ^vas at once resolved that she should be engaged to carry the Chairman of the District, and one of his colleagues to Rewa, where a Special District Meeting was to be held, to consult with the two brothers there, as to the best plans to be adopted. On the 3rd of May, Messrs. Cargill and Calvert received a hearty welcome from the Missionaries at Rewa ; and four days after, as the result of long deliberation, it was resolved that, on Mr. Lyth's arrival, the printing-press should be removed to Rewa, and that two new Stations should be commenced. Rewa seemed, in every respect, suited for the central Station. It was in an extensive and populous district, not far from Mbau ; its Chief was of very high rank, and exerted great influence at the seat of supreme power. This would be the part where most books would be wanted, and where most Mission- aries would be required. Labour and food were very abundant, so that there would be scarcely any danger of the Mission families suffer- ing, as they had done at Lakemba, for want of supplies, while men to work the printing establishment could also be easily obtained. In July Mr. Lyth arrived, accompanied by Mr. Spinney, the seventh Fijian Missionary sent in accordance with the engagement made with Mrs. Brackenbury. It was, however, a great grief and disappoint- ment to the Missionaries that Mr. Spinney only called at Fiji on his way to Sydney, where he was hastening evidently to die. For nearly four years he had worked at Haapai, in the Friendly Islands, with great success. His earnest and unresting zeal had proved too much for his strength ; and, six months before orders came/from England for his removal to Fiji, he broke down altogether. Pulmonary disease, already far advanced, shut out all hope of recovery, and it was resolved that he should be removed to the Colonies, where the effect of change of air might be tried, but more especially that Mrs. Spinney with her three little ones might not be left a widow in the islands. This devoted man and his wife were greatly beloved by the Missionaries and the natives. Mr. Lyth was unwearied in his affectionate attention to the sick man, until he took a sorrowful farewell of him in Fiji. Mr. Spinney went on to Sydney, where he died, in great peace and joy, on the 10th of February, 1840. The loss of such a valuable man was deeply felt, and the Mission- aries who were left saw that they must give- themselves up with all the more heartiness to the work. Directly after the arrival from Tonga, the vessel which had just come from thence was engaged to carry into effect the plans of removal which had been made.