Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/374

3M FIJI AXD THE FUIA^S. to come out from all that they had ever deemed most sacred and bind- ing, and which their fellow-countrymen still regarded as such. Every form of opposition, from derision to the harshest persecution, withstood these early confessors ; but they kept firm ; and when others saw that these, who had been men of blood and lust and lawlessness, had become men of peace and purity, and remained so, they greatly wondered ; and in the hearts of all, from the King- to his Chiefs and priests and people, misgiving concerning the new religion grew into awe, as they witnessed its might, giving promise already of future and triumphant success. " The lotu made all the land to move." Although the King of Rewa was so far impressed as to favour Cliristianity, and listen to the Missionaries, showing them much kind- ness, still he remained thorouglily heathen. He supported the old worship, lived in polygamy, carried on destructive wars, and, though not a cannibal himself, encouraged cannibalism throughout his domm- ions. The Teachers who went to the fine island of Kandavu, which is under the power of Rewa, laboured well, and visited several of the most distant towns, where the people seemed glad to be taught. In one instance a deputation was sent from a town a long way off, to Suesue, where the Teachers lived, begging that instruction might be given to their people also. One of the Teachers accompanied the messengers on their return, and met the priests of the town, who acknowledged their conviction of the fiilseness of their own religion, and asked for frequent visits from the Teacher. This was impossible, on account of the dis- tance ; so the people determined to remove and settle nearer to Suesue. In this town, the Chief and several persons, with the permission of the King of Eewa, became Christians, and there seemed good hope of prosperity, which was suddenly and painfully destroyed. A young woman on the island of Kandavu was betrothed to Eatu Nggara, the old enemy of the Mission, and the false report reached him that she had been unfaithful, a young Chief of the town of Nakasaleka on Kandavu being implicated in the charge. Ratu Nggara forthwith went across with a large force, and burnt the town, when a great number of the in- habitants were killed and eaten. The accused Chief and the survivors escaped to a mountain fortress, whither an ambassador was sent, de- manding that the supposed offender should be given up. The people replied, " No : we will all die first, and then you will be able to get our Chief." The ambassador came a second time with the same demand, whereupon the young Chief stepped forward and said : " Refuse not to