Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/331

LAKEMBA. 301 still lived, and, in consequence of her good behaviour, was allowed again to visit her father, under a pledge that she should return, bringing a large offering of property. But some change had now taken place at Lakemba. The King was nominally a Christian, and most of his people had formally renounced Heathenism. Mbau also had become weakened in the great war, and the Lakembans had not paid their tribute so fully as usual. On the visit of the Christian Tongan King, George, the Mbau Chief complained that his Lakemba vassals had not kept their engagement concerning Tangithi, and declared his purpose, if they sent her back with the tribute, that he would give his free consent to her returning home. King George acknowledged the justice of the claim, and urged the Lakembans to meet it : but there was every reason to doubt the faith of the Mbau Chief; and Tangithi, who had received great benefit by her return, declared her willingness to die rather than go back to him. The Mis- sionaries urged on the good Tongan King the importance of his seeing that the Mbau Chief kept his word, and this resolute interference caused great stir. When the matter was most difficult, it was found that the messenger between the two Kings had been double-faced, and King George at once took the woman back to Lakemba, where she has since lived a good Christian, and a useful Class-Leader. While this case, which on account of its importance has been given at length, shows some of the great difficulties which opposed the Fijian Mission, it also brings out the importance of the Missionaries having some medical knowledge. In the case of those belonging to this Mission, they had given considerable attention to this point before leaving Eng- land, and had provided themselves with useful works of reference. Very early, too, the Mission was strengthened by the arrival of the Rev. R. B. Lyth, who had been educated for the medical profession, and who was unwearied in his attention to the health of the people and the Mission families. Again and again did he sacrifice comfort, and risk his life, leaving his own family, and taking long voyages in frail canoes, — once being wrecked and narrowly escaping with his life, — in going to help his brethren and their wives when sick. The necessity and advantages of English medicines and medical know^ledge were deeply impressed upon Professor Harvey of the Dublin University, on his visit to the Fiji Islands in 1855. He wrote to his friend, N. B. Ward, Esq., of Clapham Rise, London, urging that the subject should have his best attention. Upwards of £^00 was contrib- uted, and supplies of medicines were sent out to the Missionaries in the Friendly and Fiji Islands. Mr. Ward interested many gentlemen and