Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/463

VIWA AXD MBATJ. 431 Among die people themselTes, the presentation of a gill without an equivalent in return was an acknowledgment of inferiority and subjec- tion, whence arose another important reason why a clear understanding should be established in this matter. Whatever of labour or supplies the Missionaries had received from the people, they had always paid for ; and there was no actual necessity for their doing more. Mr. Hunt's kind heart had led him into difficulty in this respect, andOie was reiowned among the natives for his liberality; so that ThaE>mbaa once said of him, " He is ready to give when he can iQ spare the article we beg. He is a kind man. But the Missionary at Lakemba gives you such a preachment and lecture when you beg of him ! ~ Hie Chief did not know that this Missionary had urged Mr. Hunt not to be so lavish in his generosity, and that he was now coming to Viwa with the resolution of abolishing the system of promiscuous giving. Had he been aware of this, he would have shown more reserve in wel- coming him to his neighborhood than he did. Whai the Missionary's goods arrived from Lakemba, Thakombau went on board the " Wes- ley," accompanied by Mr. Calvert, who, ac-cording to established cus- tom, as a new comer, presented the Chief with an offering of property from the district he had left, consisting of two large wooden bowls, a bale of sinnet, and two China pigs. These were received very gra- aously : but on their way to the shore, Hiakombau was compelled to listen to one of the lectures he dreaded so much. It was the first step towards the int^ided refoimation, and was after this ^hion : — ^ I have come to reside with you. I left England originally with one object, and for that alone I have come to live with you in this part of FijL My one great object is to have you saved from your sins, and their dreadful consequ^ices in the next world. God has merdfiilly provided a Saviour, who can save you and make you happy. You consider it important to a<£umiilate property ; to be honoured -and feared by many ; to have many wives ; to be a great warrior : but you also ct)n- sider the religion we teach to be true and valuable. Some of the things you value are sinfal and injurious. Religion is supremely im- portant and desirable, even to you. You cannot possibly be right without it : but when you obtain and practise the religion of Christ, you wiH be happy. My one concern will be to lead you to obtain religion : so you may expect, in all our intercourse, that I shall labour 17 this. Another and inferior matter 1 shall gladly attend to. I have brought medicines from England, and have gained some knowledge of diseases and their remedy, and shall have pleasure in relieving you of pain when I can, that your life may be prolonged for repentance, prayer,