Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/414

CHAPTEE YII. FEINTING, TEANSLATION, AND PUBLISHING. As the Mission in Fiji extended itself, and its successes multiplied, the toil of transcribing parts of the Bible and other works for the people became a serious hindrance, and the want of a printing establishment pressed heavily on the Missionaries. Such an establishment was already in active use in connexion with the Tongan Mission, and application was made for its valuable help on behalf of Fiji. The first book of four pages, and twenty-four pages of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, printed in Fijian at the Vavau press, greatly lightened the labour of the Missionaries, and rejoiced the people under their charge, some of whom read again and again the precious boon thus brought them, and eagerly longed for a larger supply. They were informed that a printing press was to be sent out from England to Fiji, in order that the Scrip- tures might be printed in their own language ; and they prayed earnestly that God would bring the blessing safely to them, and watch over the new Missionaries under whose care it was sent out. Two of these Mis- sionaries were well acquainted with printing and bookbinding, and the supply of type and printing and other materials which they brought out had been liberally supplied and judiciously selected by the Committee at home. Messrs. Cargill and Cross had worked hard at translations, and were ready to supply copy as soon as the press could be fitted up at Lakemba. In March, 1839, the first Wesley an Catechism was pub- lished in the Lakemba dialect. This was soon followed by the Gospel according to St. Mark. Great was the astonishment and delight of the people as they saw the marvels of the Mission press. The Heathen at once declared it to be a god. And mightier far than their mightiest and most revered deities was that engine at which they wondered. In the midst of the barbarous people it stood, a fit representative of the high culture and triumphant skill of the land whence it came ; and, blessed by the prayers of multitudes across the seas, and of the faithful