Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/327

LAKEMBA. 297 suitable aid, and the blessing of God, will revolutionize the inhabitants of this intersting group of islands, containing a greater population than all the lands of New Zealand, the Friendly Islands, the Niuas, and Ro- tumah together." During this visit of the General Superintendent, more effective measures were adopted for the training of native agents, whose help was becoming more and more important, as fresh places became urgent in their appeals for Teachers. Now that two Missionaries were at the Station, the different places received more frequent visits, and the work was strengthened. Chapels were built at several other villages on La- kemba, and at some of the adjacent islands, where Teachers were placed. Everywhere the heathen priests were complaining, and, in some cases, seemed to be getting ashamed of their old superstitions. At the King's town in Lakemba, a man of the priestly order, whose privilege it was to receive inspiration from the god, refused to enter upon his functions, declaring, " If my mouth should go to my stomach, or back, or elbow, I will be a priest ; but so long as it remains where it is, I shall not." This was a sharp and intelligent man, and well acquainted with the Fijian language, so that he was teacher to two of the Missionaries. His intercourse with them was not altogether lost ; for, some years after, when the King's permission was given to all to become Christian, he was one of the first to devote himself fully to God. Being ambas- sador to Mbau, he went thither with tribute, after his conversion, and while on one of these visits, fell sick and died ; and, according to his own request, was buried beside John Hunt. The happy resignation with which Amos Kau bore his affliction, and his very peaceful end, made a deep impression on the heathen King of Mbau and his Chiefs, who wondered at the great change in their ambassador. Eliezer Ta- kelo, the son of Amos, is a very pious and devoted youth, and now labours as an assistant Missionary on the distant island of Rotumah. The perquisites of the priest's offlce, however, were tempting ; and seeing that -Kau refused to assume the dignity, a descendant of a former priest professed to be entered by the god. Still he felt that Heathen- ism was at a low ebb, and would not long prove profitable. While he ate the first-fruits from the field, or portions of cooked food and pud- dings, and appropriated to his own use other offerings, he was mindful of the signs of the times, and began to deride the gods of Fiji, saying to the Missionary, " Our system is coming to nought. Formerly we rejoiced in our gods, and were pleased when they were invoked ; but since you have come among us, and spoken deridingly of our gods and the lies of priests, we have no longer pleasure in them. Our work is