Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/455

VIWA AND MBATT. 423 Nakorotumbn, Nandi, Mbua, and other places, — indeed, I think, every place, more or less, has been blessed. The people that sat in darkness have seen a great light. Many never understood till now what we have been preaching to them for some years. We were delighted when we last visited the out-stations in this Circuit. We left them all alive to God, and our ministrations in the word and sacraments were most signally owned of God. The mats of the chapel were wet with the tears of the communicants at the table of the Lord, and in many instances the Ministers were scarcely able to minister because of the glory of the Lord." While so much good was being done, the Christians were exposed to increased persecution from the Mbau Chiefs, and fearful threats were uttered against them. The fact was, that Thakombau was enraged at the converted Viwans for refusing to fight as they always had been accustomed to do in his wars. At this time, too, he was engaged in war against Eewa, knowing that, if he conquered, he should really become what he was already called, — King of Fiji. At this very crisis old Namosimalua, who had long professed Christianity without obeying its requirements, became convinced of sin, and declared his intention of at last putting away his many wives. This, together with his refusal to help in the Rewa war, greatly exasperated the Mbau Chief, and put Namosimalua in peril ; and although his good intentions were shallow, and never came to anything, yet his sudden and violent zeal made a great stir. Many Christians were ill-treated, but no blood was shed. Yet, for some time, Viwa was threatened with destruction ; and when, in December, the Somosomo people, on visiting Mbau, had thirty of the Rewa men killed and cooked for their entertainment, it was declared that the Christians should fill the ovens for the next feast. The danger, however, was averted, and Mbau once more was at peace with Viwa. Further particulars of the great revival of religion at Viwa are thus given by Mr. Hunt, and cannot fail to interest those who believe in the power of the Holy Ghost to convince the most abandoned of sin, and lead them to trust in Christ. Referring again to the Saturday evening prayer-meeting, with which the special services were commenced, Mr. Hunt writes : — " The time of meeting arrived, and a good congregation assembled. After singing and prayer, the object of the meeting was stated, and the people were exhorted to pray without being called upon by name, and to pray short, and to the point. One of our oldest and calmest members commenced, and prayed with great feeling. Another fol- lowed with increased feeling ; and the sacred influence increased as the meeting pro- ceeded J so that long before its close nearly all the people were praying together. As