Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/527

VrWA AlifD MBATJ. 491 In August, 1857, the Mbau Circuit reports "111 persons fully admitted as church-members, and that the members have retained their piety, with but few exceptions. The Mbau chapel is in course of erection, and Teachers' houses have been built gratuitously at Lasakau and Soso. A very valuable Native Teacher has been removed by death ; his useful life was crowned with a very triumphant depar- ture. In Viti Levu (or the Great Fiji) nearly 1,000 idolaters have forsaken Heathenism, and are under Christian instruction. Native schoolmasters have been placed in eight towns ; these agents have been raised in the Circuit : ninety-four have been received into full membership with the Church. In the islands in this Circuit there are 9,000 people attended to by Native Preachers : there have been admitted into full communion, 267 at Ngau, 40 at Mbatiki, 59 at Koro, 200 at Nairai, and 36 at Moturiki. In the whole Circuit, after filling up vacancies by death, removals, and expulsions, there is a net increase of 750 members, with 722 on trial : twelve chapels have been built ; 43 Native Agents have been entirely supported by the contribu- tions of the congregations ; nearly 600 marriages have been solem- nized ; ninety-six schools have been commenced ; and the attendants on public worship are greatly increased." Having laboured with pre-eminent success, but beyond his strength, Mr. Waterhouse was compelled to remove in September, 1857, to the Colonies, in order to recruit his health and that of his excellent wife. "While there, he has attended many Missionary and Bible Meetings ; has prepared Catechisms for the press ; and forwarded a Commentary on the Gospels, which he intends sending to be printed in England. He has also, by the assistance of a Fijian Teacher, prepared elementary books, and a portion of the Gospel according to St. Matthew in the Eotuma language. Having been benefitted by the change of climate, he and his family are nobly going forth again to the good work, by the next trip of the " Wesley," which is expected to leave Sydney in April, 1859. At present the schools in Mbau are under the charge of Mr. Collis, who left Lakemba to superintend the important educational opera- tions on this Station, and throughout the whole Circuit. During Mr. Waterhouse's absence, the Circuit has been in the care of the Rev. J. S. Fordham, who had become well fitted for such a charge by his residence and sufferings at Nandi. Mara and a younger brother continue unsettled, and have succeeded in exciting ill-feeling and war, once more, near to Mbau. The King, who remains firm and consistent in his profession of Christianity, deals with the hostile party 32