Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/310

280 FIJI AOT3 THE njLA:NS. being drawn up high on the beach, it was carried back into the sea by the waves, and dashed to pieces ; part of it being again thrown up on land in one place, and part in another : they were, however, collected, and afterwards put together again. It was not until the third day that I could venture across the water, to see my dear wife and chil- dren, the wind being still very strong. I found her quite comfortable, her mind having been kept in peace, free from all anxiety as to the result of her trying situation. Some of our people who were away at a little uninhabited island, not more than twenty or thirty miles off, knew nothing of the hurricane till they came home. We have not heard whether it reached Lakemba. We deem it a great mercy that it did not happen two or three months earlier, as, had it been the case, it would have left the people in great distress, or even quite in famine, as has frequently been the case in former years ; but the yam crop was so far advanced as not to be materially injured by it, except that a good many rotted through the abundance of rain." At the next District Meeting in 1848, it was found necessary to adhere to the original arrangement of limiting Mr. Hazlewood's resi- dence at Ono to one year ; and he was accordingly removed, and Joel Bulu, a deeply pious Tongan Teacher, who had been tried in the Fijian work, was sent to supply his place. In December Joel wrote to the Missionaries : — " The work of God prospers at Ono. Some of the young men (who have been unfaithful) repent, and have begun to meet in Class. The people are in earnest. I also endeavour to be in earnest. I visit the towns, and from house to house. I question them, instruct them, and pray with them, and we are at rest in the love of God. We have had a profitable infant-school feast. I endeavour to teach the youths the meaning of the Holy Scriptures. At one lovefeast at Ndoi, the Holy Spirit wrought mightily in our hearts, and many stated their enjoyment of the Divine favour. In one week I go to Wami, and meet the Classes ; one week to Ndoi, and meet the Classes ; one week at Matokana, and one week at Ono hew. ; and this I shall attend to quarterly. Please write to me, and tell me what I must do ; for there is no Missionary near, to whom I can apply for information as to how I shall act in some cases. Remember me in your prayers, that I may have help, and that my mind may be enlightened to know what is right for me to do in the Church at Ono." This Teacher was a man of great value, and proved himself so well worthy of the confidence placed in him, that he was received on trial as an Assistant Missionary, and, in due time, ordained by the imposition of hands, receiving authority to administer the sacraments. Most zealously and efficiently did he labour in Ono, until the claims of other parts of Fiji made his help more needed elsewhere, when other men, carefully trained by the indefatigable Mr. Lyth, were sent to Ono. This island is now thoroughly Christian, and the people have been hearty and consistent in their religious profession, " adorning the