Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/561

MBUA. 523 Guide of my youth for directing my feet hither. Along with numerous trials to which our faith and patience are subjected, we have always this consolation, that we are of some use every day of our lives. I am afraid some young men at home think that, if they were to come to Fiji, their talents and gifts would be buried or thrown away. I invite the most gifted to come and try : and I venture to predict, that though they possess the strength of Samson, the meekness of Moses, the earnestness of Peter, the love of John, and the zeal of Paul, they will find ample scope for the exercise of them all. Men who are burning and shining lights, and who possess the passive grace in the largest measure, are specially wanted here. The Romish Priests have got a new and a very fine schooner built, for cruising among the islands. This is another reason why we should have help, and that without delay. Our Missionary band is now sadly reduced, and we are threatened with a still further reduction in the spring : so that, to save the two or three men who are physically strong, you must send relief, and that soon." " January, 1857. — ^The work of God in Fiji is great, and it spreads with a rapidity which bids defiance to our utmost efforts to meet its wants, or to keep pace with its claims. If each of the Missionaries now in the field possessed the zeal of St. Paul, with his various gifts and powerful talents, there is in these islands more than ample room for their full development. " There are thousands who are just emerging from the dark valley and shadow of death, having renounced Heathenism and made a profession of Christianity, whose minds require to be further enlight- ened. There are multitudes of children, wild as the ass's colt, who need to be instructed, and who are not unwilling to be taught. The Teachers we have require to be taught, warned, encouraged. I have upwards of thirty of them in training ; but it would more than fill my sheet, were I to detail either what has been done or what remains to be done. Allow me, therefore, to ask you to join us in giving glory to God for the success already vouchsafed, and to pray that He would continue to help the feeble instruments now employed, until their ranks are reinforced and a thorough change is effected. The work is the Lord's, and our hope is that, somehow or other. He will provide for its establishment and perpetuation. " I have not done much in tracing out the works of the Lord in conchology, botany, and natural history. The ' pearl of great price,' and the * plant of renown,' require my constant study. I have just returned from a distant part of this island, and the scenes through 34