Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/415

PRINTmG, TRANSLATION, AND PTJBLISHINa. 385 ones who directed its might, that Mission press began, with silent power, its great and infallible work, which was destined to deliver beautiful Fiji from its old and galling bonds, to cleanse away its filthy stains of crime, to confer upon its many homes the blessings of civilization, and enrich its many hearts with the wealth of the Gospel of Jesus. The works first issued from the press were prepared and revised by Mr. Cargill, whose long residence in the islands had made him familiar with the language. The Missionaries who managed the printing lost no opportunity, while hard at work, of gaining acquaintance with the strange tongue they heard spoken around them. They caught up different expressions, and, with many an odd blunder and clumsy con- struction, tried to talk with the natives. They also noted down words, and afterwards learned their meaning fi:'om Mr, Cargill, who was most diligent in helping forward their attempts. With all possible speed he compiled a copious Vocabulary and Grammar of the Lakemban dialect for the use of his brethren. These they copied ; and, before very long, one of them made his first attempt at preaching in a little village, read- ing a prayer and sermon which Mr. Cargill had helped to prepare for the purpose. It was always found that the language was best learned by constant intercourse with the people. Mr. Hunt, at Eewa, was shut up to this means ; and with such diligence did he s'et himself to the task, that in about a month after his arrival he conducted, by the help of written notes, a religious service in the Fijian tongue. His progress was rapid and sure, and he was soon able to converse and preach intelligibly to his hearers. The press soon accomplished great good at Lakemba. The Mission work was confirmed by its supply of books, and the schools received from the same source a new and vigorous life, while many converts, whose attendance had been loose and irregular, became attentive and constant. In July, 1839, the printing establishment was removed to Rewa, where it continued in efficient operation, until the war in 1844 rendered its removal necessary. In the following year the munificent grant of fifty reams of paper came as a welcome supply from the British and Foreign Bible Society. A serious difficulty soon made itself felt in the variety of dialects spoken in different parts of the group. At first the project was enter- tained of translating, at least, portions of the Scriptures into all these dialects. For a time this plan was followed. Twelve pages of Genesis and a Scripture Lesson Book were printed in the Mbau dialect, having