Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/348

318 FIJI AOT) THE FIJIANS. was raised again in mercy, in answer to earnest and believing prayer. While I have endeavoured to be faithful towards God and with men, I have to mourn over much unfaithfulness ; and thankfully rejoice that the Lord has blessed me, and done all things well. Lakem- ba ! I love thee ! Farewell ! From thee I cannot be separated ! My prayers, thoughts, efforts, shall still be towards thee. I hope many thence will be the crown of my rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. I fear I shall be witness against many who perish after frequent and faithful warning. I laboured diligently, I trust, to do the people good, temporally and spiritually ; and God accompanied many of my efforts with His blessing. My five children born there are all alive. Praise the Lord for all His goodness ! O Lord, bless abundantly, and forever, Lakemba and all its dependencies ! " Things went on well under the care of Messrs. Watsford and Malvern. The good results of the first school efforts were seen in the coming forward of young men with good hearts and instructed minds, who were ready to help in the Mission work. But the two Mis- sionaries were sorely taxed by the demands of so large a Circuit, and their labour was much increased by the zealous efforts of the Romish Priests to propagate their doctrines and observances. These men, having studied the native character, were most unscrupulous in their attempts to win over the people,- taking care to interfere as little as possible with their indulgences or prejudices. Occasionally they came across the Protestant Missionaries, and, in one instance, an animated discussion took place in presence of the Chief of the town of Yandrana and many Heathens. The Priests had reckoned much upon the flivour of this Chief; but the interview resulted in their hasty retreat, and the bringing over of the Chief to the truth, while a better footing than ever was gained in this large town. In October, 1849, Mrs. Watsford, who had long been very ill, but had nobly refused to take her husband away from his work, became so bad that her speedy removal was necessary, and the whole family left Lakemba in the " JohnWesley" for Auckland. This was rendered imperative by the critical state of ]Irs. Watsford's health, although the Revs. Messrs. Thomas and Turner were then awaiting at Yavau the arrival of the Mission vessel to take them from the scene of their long and successful labours in the Friendly Islands. Several children of the Missionaries, including the little family of Mr. Hazlewood, whose wife had just died, accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Watsford to the Wesleyan College at Auckland. The removal of this zealous man was a heavy loss to the Mission.