Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/489

VrWA AND MBAF. 455 This occurrence made the Missionaries feel more deeply than ever the necessity of increasing the influence of Christianity at Mbau, not only for the advantage of the people there, but for the benefit of the entire group. On the occasion of some Christians visiting Mbau, the King had granted the use of one of his houses as a place of worship ; and for some time after the strangers had left, service was held here regularly, even by native preachers, without molestation. But the evident spread of the truth awakened renewed jealousy, and one day, while Mr. Waterhouse was preaching, the house trembled under a heavy discharge of stones, which were thrown by order of the King, who came, the next morning, to Yiwa, and apologized, saying that he thought it was a native who was preaching, and that he had never given permission for the services to be continued after the people left for whose accommodation they were first held. After this, though the annoyances did not wholly cease, yet the Sabbath services were allowed to proceed, and, notwithstanding his opposition in other particulars, Thakombau permitted his favourite little son to profess Christianity, and he came regularly to the religious services with his attendants, clothed in lotu dress. For a time, too, there was preaching in the house of one of the Chiefs of the Fishermen ; but his superior Chief, though friendly to the Missionaries, became alarmed at the interest excited among his people, and put a stop to the service. Again the ofler was made for one of the two Yiwa Missionaries to reside at Mbau ; and this time the application for a site for the Mission house was granted on the mainland opposite, which was, in many respects, the best position, as the island itself is small, crowded, and badly sup- plied with water. Both Thakombau and his aged father promised to erect a dwelling-house and other necessary buildings, and it seemed that at last the long wished for position was gained. But before the work was commenced, the time came for an. attack upon Nakelo, the strong- hold of the Rewa party. The King had made sure of the help of traitors inside the to^vn, and all was excitement in preparing for the expedition. These times of preparation for war were always marked by more than ordinary attention to heathen observances ; and, that he might have the opportunity of exposing the vanity of the people's hope, and of moving Thakombau to be merciftil in case of victory, Mr. Calvert resolved to go and reside at ^fbau during the three days pre-vious to the setting out of the army. Thakom>)au made the Missionary wel- come to his house, gave him a comfortable sleeping-place, treated him with all respect, and supplied him with abundance of good food during his stay. The King spoke derisively of the dreams of the priest, and