Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/551

MBUA. 513 native village, while he was quite a youth, a powerful man aimed a blow with a club that was designed to number him with those already slain. This the youth avoided by darting between the warrior's legs ; when, instantly recovering an erect posture, he trusted his life to the fleetness of his heels, and happily escaped. " Stephen first came under my notice in 1841, on the island of Lakemba, and there became my servant. He was short and unusually dark ; but his features were regular, and indicative of a superior mind. He was an active, obliging, and obedient servant. His situation allowed him time for improvement. He learned to read well, and to write tolerably, and improved his stock of general knowledge. After being with me about three years, he left me to ^isit his friends, hoping to be owned of God in their conversion from Heathenism. His success did not equal his expectations ; but there was work for him to do ; and Mr. Hunt, who met with him, was so well pleased with his spirit, that he appointed him Teacher on an adjoining island, from which he came in 1848, to help me in the Mbua Circuit. " He laboured at Wairiki, until driven away by persecution. I then placed him at Tavulomo, amongst a remarkably trying people. He saw the difficulties of his post, and applied himself diligently to his work, in which he had a good degree of success. In 1849, the difficul- ties of his position were increased by the dangers of war ; and he might have claimed a removal, as his leg was much swollen from elephantiasis. He, however, kept at his Station, where he died. Doubtless his end was hastened by the hardships he endured. After lying ill some time, he decided upon trying what a visit to Tiliva would do for him. Previous to his removal, he called around him the chief men of the village, and informed them of his purpose, saying, ' My removal may not profit me. I may die ; and, if so, it is well ; only, do not let my death surprise you, or enfeeble your hearts. Consider my words to you : if I die, hold firmly your Christianity. Missionaries die in this work, which they engage in for our sakes ; their wives die ; their children die ; so why should we refuse to die in it 1 If I die in the work, do not think of it as a strange thing : hold fast your Christianity.' " He was carefully borne ; and rested for the night at the Super- intendent Teacher's house. The language of praise was ever on his lips. ' Praise ! praise God ! Thanks be to God ! Amen, amen ! ' repeated with much feeling, evidenced the peaceful state of his mind. After prayer, the senior Teacher asked him what subjects most occupied his attention. He replied : ' I think much of our people in their afflicted state : they suffer and are harassed, but I am getting near my