Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/563

MBUA. 525 Satan is cast down to the ground as lightning. Those who still remain Heathen have a deep conviction that they will one day be overcome by the power of Christianity, and already they confess its truth. One thing we greatly require in Fiji, and that is more labourers. The Rev. J. Waterhouse, one of our most efficient Missionaries, leaves us this year. Mr. Malvern can only do half work. Mr. Moore, with his 22,000 converts, is nearly laid aside, through organic disease, brought on by excessive toil. There are at present only four able men who can speak the language ; and what are these among 54,281 earnest hearers, to say nothing of the multitude who yet abide in darkness ? In addition to Fiji, we have got the important island of Rotuma to look after, the inhabitants of which speak another language ; and up to the present they have no books. The Chairman has gone to visit this island, with the view of making arrangements for the translation of a portion of the Scriptures, by the aid of a Native Agent who knows both Rotuman and Fijian. A Missionary is absolutely required for this island, and he should be one who has a good knowledge of lan- guages. Surely the Home Committee, and the friends of the Heathen whom they represent, will not deny us another supply of men who have been to the Institution, when the Lord is evidently giving us all Fiji as the fruit of our sacrifice and toil. Australia is willing to do what she can, and has sent us two very suitable men this year, but she wants men to meet her own necessities; and unless we are to be once more recruited from home, I fear the consequences. The best men that can be selected are required for this sphere of labour. Difficulties connected with a strange language, planting Churches where Satan has his seat, and training Teachers and Native Assistants out of such material, require more of all that is strong and wise and good than preaching in our mother tongue, and watching over estab- lished Societies. We shall rejoice if Australia get Missionaries by the score; but Fiji must have seven or eight, or many souls will be lost; for if we cannot feed and fold the people who seek our help and pas- toral oversight, what can be expected but that there vsdll be a relapse to Heathenism. And then truly their last state would be worse than their first. But I have good hope that Fiji will not be forgotten either by the Churches at home, or by the Church in the Colonies : but that God, who has done such great things for us, will, in this the day of His power, make His people willing to help us in our time of need. " During the past year the subscriptions of the people in kind, in this Circuit, paid for all the native agency, and but for war we should