UC-NRLF 
 
 $B S^b ODt. 
 
 MMHM^^H 
 
 rs 
 
 William Rt:to. 
 
 
 CO 
 
 cvi 
 
 en 
 
 >- 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
Recent Wanderings in Fiji; 
 
 GLIMPSES OF ITS VILLAGES, CHURCHES, 
 AND SCHOOLS. 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM REED, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 &OKi\) Qn&tvalia WttxUgftft jiUiljxrMst t&ontevmn. 
 
 MATT. XIII. 38. — ' THE FIELD IS THE WORLD.' 
 
 • Kings shall fall down before Him, 
 
 And gold and incense bring : 
 All nations shall adore Him, 
 
 His praise all people sing : 
 For Him shall prayer unceasing 
 
 And daily vows ascend : 
 His kingdom still increasing, 
 
 A kingdom without end.' 
 
 bonbon: 
 
 T. WOOLMER, 2, CASTLE ST., CITY ROAD ; E.G. } 
 AND 66 t PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 
 
 1838. 
 
BATMAN BROTHERS AND LI1XY, 
 
 PRINTERS, 
 
 HATTON HOOSE, FABRINaDOK R9A»j 
 
 J.ONDON, B.C. 
 

 Uiirattsn* 
 
 TO THE 
 
 FIJIAN MISSIONARIES 
 
 OF THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH 
 
 AND THEIR NOBLE WIVES 
 
 I DEDICATE THIS LITTLE VOLUME, 
 
 WITH GRATITUDE 
 
 TO GOD 
 
 FOR THE FIJIAN METHODISM OF TO-DAY. 
 
 WILLIAM REED. 
 
 Adelaide, South Australia, 1888. 
 
^tttsnts- 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 I. INTRODUCTORY .9 
 
 II. FROM MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, TO NORFOLK 
 
 ISLAND 15 
 
 III. FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA, FIJI . 26 
 
 IV. AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS . . 38 
 
 V. AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS — Cout. 51 
 
 VI. REWA AND NAVULOA 61 
 
 VII. BAU 69 
 
 VIII. VIWA 80 
 
 M31 0300 
 
Recent Wanderings in Fiji. 
 
 ■ l~l m » — j | 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 $ntxobxittox%. 
 
 Saviouk, lo, the isles are waiting, 
 
 Stretched the hand, and strained the sight, 
 For Thy Spirit, new creating, 
 
 Love's pure flame, and wisdom's light : 
 Give the Word, and of the preacher 
 
 Speed the foot and touch the tongue, 
 Till on earth by every creature 
 
 Glory to the Lamb be sung. 
 
 JOSEPH COOK has said that there are now no fo- 
 reign lands. The colonizing, the commercial, the 
 adventurous, the scientific, the Christian spirit is im- 
 pelling men to push their way into the ' regions beyond.* 
 Through these influences in extraordinary activity — we 
 believe, in the providence of God — the civilized nations 
 of the world seem to be pressing forward, as never be- 
 fore, to unite with the uncivilized. 
 
io RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 It was my privilege recently to visit Fiji, once known 
 as ' Cannibal Fiji,' bat now having a clear title to the 
 name, 4 Christian Fiji.' Having been favoured, in the 
 visitation of several islands of the group, with special 
 opportunities of observing and judging the work of 
 Wesleyan Methodism amongst the native population, 
 I am bound, as an honest and independent witness, to 
 affirm that nothing I ever heard in the addresses of 
 Fijian missionaries who have visited the Australian 
 colonies, nor anything I ever read from their reports, 
 is, in my judgment, any exaggeration of the facts of 
 the case concerning the genuineness and vitality of 
 Fijian Christianity. 
 
 Not many years have gone since certain literary and 
 fashionable people poured ridicule upon efforts put 
 forth to make the Gospel known to the heathen, and to 
 bring those who were dark, sinful, and perishing under 
 its enlightening and saving influence. Such enterprises 
 were looked upon and spoken of as well-meant but vis- 
 ionary. Both men and money were wasted, if devoted 
 to such a cause. Even now, notwithstanding genuine 
 and accumulated witness in their favour, missions are 
 sometimes maligned by miniature sceptics, and sneered 
 at by a few secular journals. Have we not seen dimi- 
 nutive wits, with wit about as execrable as their theo- 
 logy, shoot their tiny arrows at missionaries and 
 missions ? Men without spiritual perceptions or affin- 
 ities are no more fitted to be judges of those things 
 
INTRODUCTORY. H 
 
 which are ' spiritually discerned,' than a blind man is 
 to be an art critic. ' The natural man receiveth not the 
 things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolishness 
 unto him : neither can he know them, because they are 
 spiritually discerned.' The weight of testimony, solid, 
 reliable, cumulative, is on the other side. ' Learning 
 confesses its indebtedness to the missionary for his 
 contributions to philological, geographical, and ethno- 
 logical science. Commerce and industrial art follow 
 him as their most skilful pioneer, and trust him as 
 their most indefatigable auxiliary. And humanity 
 places him in the front rank of the world's benefact- 
 ors.' The late governor of Fiji, Sir Arthur Gordon, 
 spoke in England of the Wesleyan Mission in Fiji 
 in these terms : 'The subject of missionaries formed 
 the most important part of the organisation of the col- 
 ony. No tribute too high could possibly be paid to 
 their labours. The influence which the missionaries 
 had exercised had been one of wonderful good and 
 wonderful results.' Miss C. F. Gordon Cumming, in 
 her fascinating book, ' At Home in Fiji,' a record of two 
 years' residence in the islands, bears similar witness. 
 
 A second reformation is being wrought through 
 foreign missions of modern times, and testimony con- 
 cerning the success of the Gospel in heathen lands has 
 come opportunely. Should it be affirmed, as it is by 
 pen and voice, that this Gospel has not regenerative 
 power — are men moved away, ' through philosophy 
 
12 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,' from its 
 simplicity ? — is some other word being preached ? — as 
 an answer we point with faith and gratitude to such 
 changes as have been wrought in the South Sea Islands, 
 as well as to the scenes of other missionary labours 
 and triumphs, and say, 
 
 1 Should all the forms that men devise 
 \ Assault my faith with treacherous art, 
 I'd call them vanity and lies, 
 And bind Thy Gospel to my heart.' 
 
 Let Christians of all denominations make themselves 
 acquainted with the religious needs of the world to- 
 day. Let it be seriously considered that only about 
 one-third of the world's population is professedly 
 Christian, and that, roundly speaking, one thousand 
 millions are yet to be brought to the knowledge of the 
 truth. But let it be remembered, also, for the Church's 
 inspiration to duty and encouragement in its fulfilment, 
 that almost all over the world the door of opportunity 
 stands open, and that many at the open door are cry- 
 ing, ' Come over and help us.' Peace prevails, the 
 white sails of commerce dot every sea, the facilities for 
 travel are ever increasing, and the Bible is translated 
 into many languages. The Christian Church should 
 surely press forward with constraining love. Not pre- 
 judice on the part of Christians has now to be combated, 
 but sloth. Is it not a most serious and grievous thing 
 that missionary operations should receive such a limi- 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 13 
 
 ted amount of attention, and such a meagre portion of 
 assistance ? Money is lavished on many foolish and 
 mischievous objects, and denied or doled out in driblets 
 to the greatest of all causes, to the help of humanity 
 and the cause of Christ. Is the century worthy of be- 
 ing called the ' Missionary Century,' as it has been by 
 some, when all that united Protestant Christendom 
 gives annually for missions would not pay the liquor 
 bill of the United States for three days, nor that of the 
 British Islands for two days ? (Joseph Cook's Lec- 
 tures, ' Occident,' p. 119.) The opinion is expressed 
 that ' a thoroughly aggressive and evangelical Church 
 will expend for the support of missions at least one- 
 fifth of what it expends on itself, and that there should 
 be one white missionary for every fifty thousand of the 
 accessible pagan population of the world. The longer 
 the Churches delay, the more expensive and difficult 
 will be the work.' 
 
 It is very desirable to educate and interest our 
 children and young people in this important subject of 
 the world's evangelization. Professor Drummond says, 
 * The child is the true cosmopolitan, has the universal 
 mind. Anything that makes foreign countries real is 
 a contribution to the missionary cause. Picture-books, 
 missionary adventures and travels, descriptions of the 
 manners and customs of savage races — these have a 
 most important function in preparing the mind to real- 
 ize missions. Between the wondering, adventurous 
 
14 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 spirit of the boy, and the heroic career of the mission- 
 ary, there is a natural sympathy. Often neither teacher 
 nor child sees any further than the hole in the collect- 
 ing box into which the small donation for foreign 
 missions is reluctantly dropped.' 
 
 For them, therefore, I write, in whose hands will 
 soon be the solemn responsibilities of Christ's Church, 
 and in whose hearts, I trust, will be the needful love. 
 Had nature put into my hand either poet's pen or ar- 
 tist's pencil, with what delight I would use such skill 
 in the endeavour to do justice to the wonders I saw ! 
 But, these gifts denied to me, I must content myself 
 with relating a simple narrative of ' Wanderings in 
 Fiji.* 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 from #WUnmnw, Itrfnria, to $0rfrrlk 
 Island 
 
 Where they all Thy laws have spurned, 
 
 Where they Thy name profane, 
 Where the ruined world hath mourned 
 
 With blood of millions slain, 
 Open there the ethereal scene, 
 
 Claim the heathen tribes for Thine, 
 There the endless reign begin 
 
 With majesty divine. 
 
 MY ' plain, unvarnished tale ' of wanderings 
 amongst the ' Islands of the Seas,' and the 
 record of what it was my privilege to see of Wesleyan 
 Methodism in Fiji, I write chiefly for the young people 
 of our Churches, in the hope that the fire of missionary 
 zeal will be kindled in their hearts, or, if already 
 kindled, increased yet more and more. I have in 
 special remembrance the juvenile missionary collectors, 
 for they surely have a right to know how the work 
 speeds in which they bear a part. 
 
1 6 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 So, girls and boys of our Sabbath schools, and mis- 
 sionary collectors in particular, I give you all a most 
 cordial invitation to come with me amongst the ' Edens 
 of the Southern wave.' If your mothers and fathers 
 would like to come too, we can find room for them, and 
 they will be very welcome. The tour, taken by means 
 of this little book, will cost you very little indeed, 
 either in money or personal discomfort or perils by sea 
 or land. Neither Father Neptune nor cannibals need 
 be feared. Indeed, you may sit in the ' old armchair 
 at the fireside all the while, or if it be warm recline in 
 your hammock, or lounge on the grass amongst the 
 trees and flowers in your garden. My purpose is that 
 you may be profited, and led, as I was, with a stronger 
 faith in the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, to 
 wonder and give thanks. I will try to let you see 
 through my eyes — alas, they are not very good ones. 
 But I kept them open, and put on spectacles too, so 
 that I might see for myself what is the state of affairs 
 in Fiji, more especially in connection with the mission 
 work of our Church. On the voyage down we shall be 
 favoured with the company of one of ^the Fijian mis- 
 sionaries, who has been on a visit to Melbourne, the 
 Rev. W. W. Lindsay, President of the Navuloa Insti- 
 tution. Our esteem for him will grow with our grow- 
 ing knowledge of him. This we shall learn, before we 
 return to Australia, that, instead of the old cry, i Pity 
 poor Fiji,' which British and Colonial Methodism heard 
 
FROM MELBOURNE TO NORFOLK ISLAND, i 7 
 
 not many years ago, we have now abundant reason to 
 say, ' Thank God for Fiji,' and should certainly in its 
 present condition, as contrasted with the terrible past, 
 find an inspiration for further aggression on the king- 
 dom of darkness. 
 
 In anticipation of such an interesting and delightful 
 tour, how poetical one feels ! If Old Neptune is on his 
 good behaviour, — for though old he is not always steady, 
 — what Victorian could go out of Hobson's Bay through 
 the ' Rip ' at evening time, without saying with Byron, 
 
 ' Adieu, adieu ! My native shore 
 
 Fades o'er the waters blue ; 
 The night winds sigh, the breakers roar, 
 
 And shrieks the wild sea-mew. 
 Yon sun that sets upon the sea 
 
 We follow in his flight ; 
 Farewell awhile to him and thee, 
 
 My native land, ' Good-night ! ' 
 
 But we are not journeying towards the setting sun. 
 We are going 
 
 ; To burst all links of habit, 
 There to wander far away, 
 On from island unto island, 
 At the gateways of the day.' 
 
 We bid farewell to friends at Queen's Wharf, Mel- 
 bourne, the captain takes the bridge and issues his com- 
 mand, ' Cast all clear ! ' then down the Yarra we go, 
 shape a course for the ' Rip,' and pass out into Bass 
 
1 8 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Straits just as the sun is setting. Away over the stern 
 of the steamer sun and sea seem to meet, and you 
 almost expect to hear a great hissing as he goes down. 
 But his level beams bring a kindly message over the 
 waves, 4 1 now hand you over for a few hours to the 
 care of Her Majesty the Moon, and will see you again 
 in the morning.' Then the spirit of poesy, silver- 
 winged, sings amid the mystic beauty of a moonlit 
 night at sea : — 
 
 1 Night on the waves ! and the moon is on high, 
 Hung like a gem on the brow of the sky, 
 Treading its depths in the power of her might, 
 And turning the clouds, as they pass her, to light.' 
 
 The ' Mawhera ' of the Union Company's Line is a trim 
 little boat, and we are sorry to learn that we shall have 
 to change steamers at Newcastle, in New South Wales, 
 our first port of call. On the way thither we are 
 mildly excited by the blowing of a whale. For dis- 
 order and dirt I have seen no town like Newcastle, and 
 for irregularity and noise none like Sydney. But be it 
 remembered that disorder and coal-dust and noise 
 there mean commerce, and commerce means money. 
 While waiting a few days at Newcastle for another 
 steamer, the ' Taupo,' expected from New Zealand to 
 replace the ' Mawhera ' in the Fijian trade, rain set in 
 to add to our discomfort, and a fierce gale sprang up, 
 raising our apprehensions of a rough time of it as soon 
 as we should put to sea. But such experiences will 
 
FROM MELBOURNE TO NORFOLK ISLAND. 19 
 
 doubtless be profitable, though, according to general 
 testimony all the oceans oyer, they are very far from 
 being pleasant. ' No chastening for the present 
 seemeth to be joyoas, but grievous : nevertheless after- 
 ward it yieldeth peaceable fruit.' So if amid the wild 
 waves and roaring winds and clouded sky the spirit of 
 poesy vanishes, I look eagerly for another visitant — the 
 spirit of an invigorated life. For the sake of meeting 
 that spirit, one may well be content to endure the 
 solemnity of sea-sickness for a short time. 
 
 ' There Health, so wild and gay, with bosom bare, 
 And rosy cheek, clear eye, and flowing hair, 
 Trips with a smile the breezy sea along, 
 And pours the spirit of content in song.' 
 
 We have on board a company of surveyors for Nor- 
 folk Island : so we shall have an opportunity of seeing 
 that historic spot, one of the gems of the South Pacific. 
 Having said ' Farewell ' to Australia one Thursday 
 evening, we sighted Lord Howe Island, on which fifty 
 or sixty people live what must be a very lonely life, on 
 the Saturday ; and Norfolk Island, which is about eight 
 hundred miles from Sydney, on Monday. This island 
 is under the imperial government, having Lord Car- 
 rington, of New South Wales, as its governor. Locally, 
 it is governed by a chief magistrate, elected annually 
 by ballot, who is assisted by a visiting magistrate from 
 Sydney in all the most important matters. No intoxi- 
 cating liquor is allowed on the island, except for medi- 
 
 B 2 
 
20 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 ciual purposes. We were glad to be told this, for one of 
 the last Australian sights we looked upon was the 
 ghastly face of another of drink's victims, whose names 
 are legion ; the fireman of our steamer, who, drunk, had 
 miserably perished in the river at Newcastle. 
 
 While the coast of Norfolk Island looks forbidding 
 with its bold and rugged cliffs, Nature shows here some 
 of her gentlest and sweetest charms. The climate is 
 delightful, the soil fertile, the vegetation varied and 
 luxuriant, the people most hospitable, and I expect 
 that as soon as there is regular communication by 
 steamer, tourists from Australia will find their way in 
 considerable numbers to this island, so near to our own 
 shores, and so full of interest. This charming garden 
 of the ocean was once a penal establishment — a gaol 
 for the worst of criminals — in which crimes of fearful 
 magnitude and atrocity were enacted, and sin ran riot. 
 Those who have read ' For the Term of his Natural Life,' 
 by the late Marcus Clarke, will know something of the 
 terrible state of affairs that obtained. The agonized 
 cries of bleeding victims suffering under the lash, the 
 loud coarse laugh of the exulting murderer, and the 
 deep and terrible curses of cruel gaolers, mingled and 
 resounded amidst these groves of gigantic pines, that 
 seem so serene and dignified. If a Howard was needed 
 anywhere in the world amongst the sinful and suffer- 
 ing, it was surely here. Tragedies more fearful than 
 novelist ever conjured up out of his brain were com- 
 
FROM MELBOURNE TO NORFOLK ISLAND. 2 1 
 
 mon. The place was rightly called the ' Sodom ' of the 
 empire. It was nigh unto the gates of hell, and its 
 penal history is a sickening record. Many years ago 
 Norfolk Island was abandoned as a penal settlement, 
 and the most depraved of men gave place to some of 
 the most gentle and virtuous — the Pitcairn Islanders — 
 who are descendants of the mutineers of the ' Bounty.* 
 Most boys, I judge, have read an account of the expe- 
 dition of the ' Bounty/ commanded by Captain Bligh, 
 to convey bread-fruit trees from Otaheite to the West 
 Indies, and of the mutiny of the crew, headed by 
 Christian. I need not detain you with the particulars. 
 You know how the Bible and Prayer-book of the 
 1 Bounty,' under God's blessing, wrought a marvellous 
 reformation. Some of the descendants of the muti- 
 neers, removed from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island about 
 thirty years ago, form perhaps one of the most reli- 
 gious communities in the world. The forests that re- 
 sounded with oaths and shrieks are now charmed with 
 the voice of prayer and the song of praise. The float- 
 ing hell has become a gate of heaven. Doubtless be- 
 neath the surface the Pitcairners of Norfolk Island are 
 men and women of like passions with ourselves, but 
 they form distinctively a religious community, observ- 
 ing a universal custom of church-going, and free from 
 many of the vices and follies of civilized lands. 
 
 When the See of New Zealand was first formed, the 
 numerous islands of the South Pacific were placed 
 
22 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 under the care of its bishop. His wise resolutions was 
 not to encroach on fields already occcupied by other 
 missionary societies, some of which had been at work 
 for many years, but to deal only with totally heathen 
 islands. ' Coley ' Patteson,'as he was familiarly called, 
 went out to the bishop's assistance, and devoted him- 
 self with all the zeal of love * to save that which was 
 lost.' With a wonderful aptitude for languages, as well 
 as those numerous qualifications which a missionary 
 needs, he found a congenial sphere of labour amongst 
 the South Sea natives, gathered together from various 
 groups of islands to be instructed in the mission 
 schools in New Zealand. His was the true spirit of a 
 Christian bishop, to which office he was in due time 
 consecrated, as the first missionary bishop of Melan- 
 esia. Faithfully he toiled with apostolic fervour, ' in 
 journeyings often, in perils of waters, ... in perils by 
 the heathen/ nor did he ' count his life dear unto him, 
 so that he might finish his course with joy, and the min- 
 istry which he had received of the Lord Jesus.' In the 
 mnltitude of his arduous labours, he testified, ' I feel 
 that I am cheerful and bright and light-hearted, and 
 that really I have everything to make a man thankful 
 and contented. The work does require especially an 
 unreserved surrender of a man to whatever he may 
 find to do.' It would be well for some other Christian 
 workers to emulate the large-hearted sympathy which 
 expressed itself in this fashion : ' It is not High or Low or 
 
FROM MELBOURNE TO NORFOLK ISLAND. 23 
 
 Broad Church, or any other special name, but the long- 
 ing desire to forget all distinctions, and to return to a 
 simpler state of things, that seems naturally to result 
 from the very sight of heathen people. Who thinks of 
 anything hut this," They have not heard of the Saviour 
 Who died for them," when he is standing with crowds 
 of naked fellows round him ? ' Many missionary 
 journeys were made amongst the islands, in the face of 
 much danger ; with much self-denial, and with varying 
 success. The climate of New Zealand being found to 
 be too cold for the children of the tropics, it was 
 sought to obtain permission to use Norfolk Island, suit- 
 able in both position and climate, as a centre for this 
 department of work. The island is six hundred miles 
 nearer to Melanesia than is Auckland. Its position 
 gives a further advantage in regard to prevailing and 
 favourable winds. Its productions are tropical, includ- 
 ing yam, taro, sweet potato, sugar-cane, banana, orauge, 
 lemon, pineapple, coffee, and maize. Here there would 
 be no necessity for any violent contrast, as there was in 
 New Zealand, in respect of dress, food, or houses. But 
 the request was not at first granted from the supposi- 
 tion that the presence of Melanesians, just emerging 
 from the darkness of heathenism and some still in gross 
 darkness, would have a bad effect upon the Pitcairn 
 Islanders resident there. That objection being over- 
 come, this lovely and somewhat lonely island became 
 the htad-quarters of the Melanesian Mission, with 
 
24 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Bishop Patteson in charge, to whom Bishop Selwyn, at 
 present in charge, succeeded. I understand that about 
 two hundred natives, gathered from the Solomon, 
 Hebrides, and other groups of islands, are in the mis- 
 sion schools. It is well known how the devoted Bishop 
 Patteson sealed his testimony with his blood, and his 
 loved name stands in the honoured list of the martyrs 
 of the South Pacific. He was massacred at Nukapu, 
 about thirty miles north of Santa Cruz, in 1871. His 
 life is a noble example, and his biography a rich legacy 
 to the Church. The only reason for the murder of the 
 good bishop, who was greatly beloved, is the proba- 
 bility that a labour vessel had visited the island, and 
 outrages had been committed on the natives. This 
 labour traffic caused Bishop Patteson much anxiety, 
 and it was his intention to go to Fiji and look into the 
 question of the islanders working on the plantations. 
 He expressed the opinion that ' for the most part the 
 islanders receive good treatment when on the planta- 
 tions, but I know that many of them are taken away 
 from these islands by unfair means.' There were three 
 classes of labour vessels that cruised about : those 
 fairly conducted, with government agents on board : 
 some the natives called ' Snatch- snatch,' which only 
 inveigled, but did not kill without necessity : and others 
 which they called ' Kill-kill,' which freely worked the 
 work of death. Some islands have been almost depop- 
 ulated, either by this robbery or murder or both. 
 
FROM MELBOURNE TO NORFOLK ISLAND. 25 
 
 Knowing how the bishop and his associates were 
 trusted, unscrupulous and lying villains engaged in 
 this traffic have dressed themselves up as missionaries 
 to lure the islanders on board their vessels, and so 
 carry them forcibly away, not hesitating to shoot them 
 if they attempted to escape. In scraps of the dialects 
 and by signs they have said to the natives, ' The bishop 
 is ill and cannot come : he has sent us to bring you to 
 him.' i The bishop is in Sydney : he broke his leg 
 getting into his boat, and has sent us to take you to 
 him.' Men had thus been stolen from Nukapu, and 
 they were probably believed to have been killed. It is 
 well that this traffic is now more carefully regulated, 
 but it has cost not a few valuable lives. John Coler- 
 idge Patteson, the Martyr Bishop, murdered by those 
 he loved and had come to bless ; Joseph Atkin, his ' son 
 in the Gospel,' who had been trained and ordained at 
 his hands ; and Stephen Taroniara, belong to a glorious 
 company, who * shall not be hurt of the second death,' 
 but shall receive the ' crown of life,' for they were 
 1 faithful unto death.' 
 
 It is time now to say ' Good-bye ' to Norfolk Island, 
 its kindly people and its interesting associations, and 
 shape a northerly course for Fiji. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 from &oxfolk Mmb to Jfoirolos, fi|i. 
 
 As lightning launched from east to west, 
 
 The coming of Thy kingdom be ; 
 To Thee, by angel-hosts confest, 
 
 Bow every soul and every knee : 
 Thy glory let all flesh behold, 
 And then fill up Thy heavenly fold. 
 
 FOUR days of sea and sky, and land once more 
 appears in the grey morning light. We are at 
 the southern gates of Fiji. Yonder is Kandavu, with 
 Mo ant Washington lifting itself on high to catch the 
 first light of day. The hope of my boyhood, fanned 
 oftentimes into intensity by what I read and heard of 
 these islands and their people, is about to be realized, 
 and I shall be satisfied with sight. Not amid the gloom 
 of night or storm are we drawing near to these lovely 
 and interesting lands, bat in the growing light of a 
 calm and beautiful morning. We have no opportunity 
 of landing at Kandavu. Mail steamers, trading between 
 Sydney and San Francisco, used to call here, but that 
 is no longer the case. Communication with the other 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA. 27 
 
 islands of the group is irregular, being only by sailing 
 vessels. 
 
 Now, it is c daybreak in Fiji.' I thought of the night 
 that had been; the gloom of superstition and all manner 
 of sin that had enshrouded like a pall these lovely isles ; 
 the darkness that could be felt. But the ' Sun of 
 Righteousness has arisen with healing in His wings.' 
 There is spread out before ns, in the condition of these 
 islanders, a new chapter of the ' Acts of the Apostles,' 
 written by the finger of God as surely as those chapters 
 were which we have in our Bibles. God is adding to 
 the wonderful record, and, be it said with all reverence 
 and faith, that book is still an unfinished document. 
 Other chapters shall be written, as in all the languages 
 of the earth, for the age is apostolic, and it will be an 
 evil thing for the Church if it cease to be so. How 
 suggestive the fact that there is no formal closing at 
 the end of the ' Acts of the Apostles,' as there is to the 
 other booksjof the New Testament ! The evangelist 
 might appropriately have added ' To be continued ' to 
 chapter xxviii. Indeed, both in the Gospel according 
 to Luke and here we are simply told of ' all that Jesus 
 began both to do and teach.' When the ' Benediction ' 
 is added to the marvellous and completed history, Christ 
 will appear in glory to take His Bride unto Himself. 
 
 1 Out of the shadows of night, 
 The world rolls into light — 
 It is daybreak everywhere.' 
 
28 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Upon India and China and Japan that light shall arise 
 and shine in full-orbed splendour. The Gospel, which 
 has proved itself efficient in overthrowing the gross 
 idolatries and cruel customs of Polynesian heathendom 
 as far as it has been preached; which has purified fam- 
 ily and social life and made all things new ; which has 
 captured the Tongans, Fijians, and others, mad as the 
 Gadarene, and placed them at the feet of Jesus, ' clothed 
 and in their right minds,' is sufficient also for the com- 
 plete overthrow of the more compact and philosophic 
 systems of India and China. Before the Ark of the Lord 
 Dagon will fall to the ground and be broken. Let Austra- 
 lian C hristians be faithful, and we shall see greater things 
 than we have seen, ay, even a nation born in a day. 
 
 We are quite content in our journeyings to be with- 
 out that spice of danger, which some travellers think 
 adds a zest to enjoyment. We are assured that we 
 shall find everything peaceful, except perhaps that un- 
 tameable savage, the sea, for whose good behaviour no 
 guarantee can ever be given. So on we voyage in the 
 clear and fresh morning past Mbengha, till the green 
 hills of Yiti Levu (Great Fiji) and the white houses of 
 Suva appear in view. Twenty-five years ago our sen- 
 sations on approaching any Fijian island would have 
 been very different from the eagerness we now manifest 
 to land. Life and property are in these days as safe in 
 any part of the group as in our colonies, and perhaps 
 a little safer. The only foes of whom you need beware 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA. 29 
 
 in the villages of the Fijians are bloodthirsty mosqui- 
 toes, who seem to have a special liking for fresh victims, 
 and perhaps an inquisitive pig or two in search of pro- 
 vender. What shall be said of certain men in Fiji, as 
 well as in Australia, and here and there throughout the 
 world, who, while they sit securely under the shadow 
 of that tree whose leaves are for the healing of the 
 nations, and whose fruits are peace and prosperity, 
 curse the tree that shelters them, and profess themselves 
 eager to destroy it ! 
 
 Getting the two shore beacons, one on the beach, 
 the other a little distance up the hill, in a straight line, 
 we find a safe opening in the coral reef, and are soon 
 in Suva Harbour. The ship's gun is fired, and the 
 doctor and government officials come on board. Each 
 boat has a crew of half-a-dozen sturdy Fijians, the first 
 company with bushy hair sticking out three or four 
 inches from the head all round : the second with hair 
 plastered close to the head with a preparation of lime, 
 making them look like grey-headed men. Suva, the 
 capital, is pleasantly situated on the southern coast of 
 Viti Levu (Great Fiji). Its harbour, having an encir- 
 cling background of charming hill scenery, is well pro- 
 tected from the heavy swell of the ocean by the 
 natural breakwater of the coral reefs. Here and there 
 within the reefs and at a very little distance from the 
 mainland, as Yiti Levu may be called, are lovely islets 
 which seem to focus within their narrow boundaries 
 
30 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 the beauties of scenery and wealth of tropical verdure, 
 to which on a most generous scale one becomes so ac- 
 customed in travelling through the group. Each 
 island seems to be a kind of wild botanic garden, a 
 conservatory full of palms and bananas and vinery and 
 beautiful flowers. The white population of Suva is, I 
 judge, from four to five hundred. Levuka, the former 
 capital, is on the eastern coast of Ovalau. Its harbour 
 is not so good as that of Suva, but I think it bears the 
 palm for its glorious hills, rising steeply from the nar- 
 row fringe of coast land on which the business portion 
 of the town is built, and providing on their wooded 
 heights and in their embowered recesses splendid sites 
 for outlook and charming nooks for retirement. 
 
 The Suva jetty, where we landed, had a most 
 picturesque appearance by reason of the variety in the 
 1 children of the tropics' who stood there, and the trop- 
 ical fashion of dress or undress affected by each. I am 
 unable to specify scientifically their varied shades, or 
 the numerous colours of the costumes they wore. 
 Fijians of all sorts and sizes, nobles and peasants, nut- 
 brown maids, and laughing, chattering children : lean 
 Hindoos, lookingall the more attenuated in contrast with 
 their brawny neighbours : the dark Solomon Islanders, 
 capable, some of them, judging by their looks, of deeds 
 as black as their faces, yet not unresponsive to the 
 beauty of nature about them, for the scarlet hibiscus 
 or some other beautiful flower decorates many a shaggy 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA. 31 
 
 head or hangs in wreaths about their shoulders : the 
 fine-looking Tongans, handsomest of all the South Sea 
 Islanders, clad for the most part in brightest colours, 
 some it is true according to Australian notions rather 
 scantily, the deficiency being made up with leaves, 
 flowers, and cocoa-nut oil — these, with a goodly sprink- 
 ling of happy, careless, curious, copper-coloured urch- 
 ins, whose suits of clothes seemed about equal to 
 good-sized pocket-handkerchiefs, which with frequent 
 attention each managed to keep round about his slip- 
 pery loins, made up a motley and brilliant group, such 
 as I never saw before. Of course the ubiquitous Brit- 
 isher was there, and I was glad to be introduced to an 
 old Victorian, the Rev. F. Langham, now for many 
 years chairman of the Fiji District, and to a young 
 Englishman, the Rev. E. E. Crosby, B. A., connected 
 with our mission in Tonga. After kindly greetings 
 had been exchanged, and we had cleared oar goods 
 through the Customs, Mr. Lindsay and I left in his 
 boat for Navuloa, about twenty-five miles distant from 
 Suva, by sea and river. We had a fine crew of seven 
 men, a captain and six rowers, all of them local preach- 
 ers in full standing and students in the Navuloa Insti- 
 tution. It was pleasing to observe how each man 
 sought opportunity to express to his ' guide, philosopher, 
 and friend,' pleased, and respectful salutations on his 
 return from far-off lands. 
 
 I shall not soon forget that moonlight sail across 
 
32 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Lauthala Bay, and row up the Rewa River. Over the 
 silvery waters we dance, listening without a fear to 
 the mad roar of the breakers on the reefs hard by, and 
 looking complacently and admiringly at the long line 
 of white hissing foam, that is as a defence of phos- 
 phorescent fire between the enemy and ns. Old 
 Neptune seems enraged to find such obstructions in 
 his way, and that he cannot get at us : he roars and 
 hisses in his madness. But we are safely inside those 
 mighty fabrics of coral, which countless myriads of 
 tiny but skilful and diligent architects have raised as 
 natural breakwaters, and in comparison with which 
 the mightiest works of men, grand as they are, are frail 
 indeed. 
 
 ' Creator ! Thou dost teach the coral-worm 
 To lay his mighty reefs. From age to age 
 He builds beneath the waters, till at last 
 His bulwarks overtop the brine, and check 
 The long wave rolling from the southern pole.' 
 
 Then we entered the broad and silent river that flows 
 with many a winding from the far-off uplands of the 
 interior. Often has war devastated the villages on 
 its banks, and its waters, that now bear the fruits of 
 peaceful industry by canoe and barge and steamer to 
 ships that are anchored in the Roads, have been stained 
 with blood, carrying other cargoes of human bodies for 
 the cannibal feast. The river's banks are clothed to 
 the water's edge with rankest vegetation of ever new 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA, 33 
 
 and ever surprising forms ; the branching roots of the 
 mangrove, intertwined in most intricate network, fes- 
 toons of vinery in rich profusion, ferns of marvellous 
 growth and variety, the rustling sugar-cane, the broad- 
 leaved bananas, and, towering above all, the graceful 
 cocoa-nut trees, whose umbrella-like tops stood out in 
 clear relief against the moonlit sky. Then there 
 were the cheerful and strange cries of the boatmen, 
 one inciting the rest to extra exertion. With laughter 
 and song they, mile after mile, toiled at the oars like 
 machinery. Occasionally we heard a voice from the 
 shore as we passed a native town, or a native canoe 
 with its queer outrigger and statue-like occupant shot 
 out from the shadows by the shore into the centre of 
 the silvery stream. Then a song from some unseen 
 singer in the density of the forest came floating towards 
 us. So we glided along the surpassingly beautiful 
 Rewa River, with its tortuous and network-like wind- 
 ings, past villages and plantations and islands, and 
 arrived at Navuloa about the mystic hour of midnight, 
 when on landing the boys gave us a hearty English 
 ' Hip ! hip ! hurrah ! ' for the ' Talatala ' (missionary) 
 was once more amongst them in health and safety. 
 You know the usual routine after long journeys — sup- 
 per, the news from far-off lands, many questions and 
 answers — and then, thanking God for journeying 
 mercies across the great wide sea, to bed. But not to 
 sleep, alas, at any rate for a long time, for some blood- 
 
 c 
 
34 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 thirsty ruffians had obtained admittance to the room, 
 and soon commenced their war- song in anticipation of 
 tasting my blood. What chance have I in the dark- 
 ness against them ? They are numerous, keen-sighted 
 thongh it is night, and active, provided with sharpest 
 weapons, all eager for the conflict. They have been 
 deprived of the pleasure of tasting ' white missionary ' 
 for some months ! So, like one that beateth the air, at 
 last I am wearied out, and, submitting to the inevitable, 
 my blood flows. With the miserable satisfaction of 
 having slaughtered only a few of the enemy, amid the 
 rejoicing of the surviving mosquitoes, I fall asleep. 
 
 Methodism in Fiji gets up early in the morning, 
 observing the good old custom of the early morning 
 prayer-meeting. I felt a little ashamed of myself on 
 Sabbath morning that when I reached the village 
 church I met men, women, and children coming away, 
 for the prayer- meeting was over. This was by no 
 means the last reproof that Fijian Methodism gave 
 me. I tried in this instance, however, to find excuse 
 for myself in the exceptional circumstances of the pre- 
 ceding night, the lateness of retiring, and the persistent 
 and monotonous war- songs of the mosquitoes. At 9 30 
 a.m. we went to the first preaching service. The con- 
 gregation was one of local preachers, pi us a few women 
 and children, a most interesting assemblage indeed. 
 A fine-looking young Fijian occupied the pulpit. Clad 
 in a white sulu, and a spotlessly white and well- 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA. 35 
 
 starched shirt, with linen collar and black tie, he 
 looked quite a picture of cleanliness and comfort, as 
 did indeed all the students in the congregation. The 
 sermon was a very vigorous one from the text, ' The 
 Lord is at hand.' Both preacher and discourse were 
 fine exhibitions of muscular Christianity. But there 
 was more. I do not know to what school of thought 
 Ambrose, the preacher, belongs — if Fijian preachers 
 are advanced enough and unfortunate enough to be so 
 divided — whether he is orthodox or heterodox — 
 whether his sermon was theological, philosophical, 
 poetical, or practical — whether it would suit pre-mil- 
 lenarian or post-millenarian ; for I understood but one 
 word in it — ' Jisu ' — the link- word between heaven 
 and earth, the common centre for all races. That one 
 word was the seed in my heart, dropped from a hand 
 which, but for the power of the ' name that is above 
 every name,' might have been wielding the murderous 
 club or poising the deadly spear, and it yielded an 
 abundant and speedy harvest of spiritual delight. It 
 was good to be there. The baptism of two copper- 
 coloured babies followed the sermon. Fathers as well 
 as mothers stepped to the front, — a better custom than 
 I have seen on many occasions in Australian churches 
 — each father bearing his child, arrayed in beautiful 
 robes of native cloth, on a little mat, and so, as the 
 head of the family, presenting the child to God. 
 Whilst the congregation is assembling and waiting in 
 
 C 2 
 
36 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 church for the minister, instead of spending the time 
 in idle gossip as do many, all join in chanting the 
 catechism. A beautiful custom was observed, too, 
 both at the beginning and at the close of the service, 
 of chanting a prayer for God's blessing on the preaching 
 of the Gospel. Then class-meetings were held in the 
 church and in different houses throughout the village, 
 and as we walked through the square we could hear 
 singing in all directions. Truly I am in a Christian 
 and not a heathen land. Mr. Lindsay and I went to 
 visit the sick, for the missionary must be doctor as 
 well as preacher. Indeed, he ought to know a good 
 deal of well-nigh every profession and trade under the 
 sun, except of course ' The Trade? I mean, the brew- 
 ers' and publicans'. A baby lay nigh unto death, for 
 death is in this earthly paradise. And there, close by 
 the gates of death, that mother-love which is as old 
 as oar race and as widespread, that is born anew in 
 every woman who becomes a mother, watched and wept 
 and prayed that the child might live. Sabbath-school 
 was held at one o'clock, and the second preaching ser- 
 vice at half-past four, when I was called upon to offici- 
 ate, Mr. Lindsay interpreting. A prayer-meeting was 
 held at seven o'clock, when just as many attended as 
 at the other services, excepting, perhaps, a few mothers 
 and babies. Vigorous singing, earnest supplications, 
 hearty responses, and general reverence marked the 
 services of the day. So the Sabbath order at 
 
FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO NAVULOA. 37 
 
 Navuloa is as follows : — Prayer-meeting at 7 a.m. : 
 Service 9.30 a m., followed by class- meetings : Sabbath- 
 School 1 p.m. : Service 4.30 p.m. : Prayer-meeting 
 7 p.m. Then about 9 p.m. the bell rings for family 
 prayer in each house, and shortly after the drum beats 
 — a kind of Fijian curfew — for lights to be put out, 
 and all to go to bed. Such is Methodism at Navuloa 
 on the Sabbath ' from morn till dewy eve.' 
 
 I am glad that, as was fitting, my observation of 
 our Church work in the South Pacific Islands began at 
 this centre. Navuloa is the university of Fijian 
 Methodism, from which many noble witnesses and 
 martyrs for the things concerning Jesus have gone 
 forth. So our Church has spread under the blessing 
 of God by the multiplying power of a native agency. 
 The scholastic training of the students is with special 
 reference to the work before them, whilst of course no 
 man is accepted for any department of work unless he 
 can testify to that life which is of God. We shall have 
 another opportunity of studying every-day life at 
 Navuloa. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ^m0ttgst tlj* Minirtoartr lalanfcs. 
 
 Blessed and holy Three, 
 Glorious Trinity, 
 
 Grace, Love, and Might, 
 Boundless as ocean's tide, 
 Rolling in fullest pride, 
 Through the world far and wide, 
 
 Let there be light ! 
 
 RETURNING to Suva, with the intention of voy- 
 aging amongst the islands farther east, I had the 
 pleasure of meeting that old Fijian veteran, the Rev. 
 J. Calvert, who had just arrived from England to re- 
 visit the scenes of former toils, dangers, and triumphs.' 
 Nearly fifty years ago James Calvert, with John Hunt 
 and other devoted and heroic men, went forth weeping, 
 bearing precious seed, and now the harvest waves to 
 the glory of God. 
 
 The s.s. * Suva ' left for Tonga, after we had had a 
 day or two in Suva, having amongst her passengers 
 Revs. J. Calvert, E. Crosby, B. A., and myself — Messrs. 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 39 
 
 Calvert and Crosby for Tonga, myself for Lomaloma 
 in Vanua Balavu, one of the Windward Islands. How 
 great the privilege of spending a few days in such 
 company ! What fire still in the old veteran, the hero 
 of a hundred fights against the powers of darkness ! 
 What tales of adventure — some very serious, some very 
 comic — he entertained us with ! With what delight 
 he looked into the faces of a few old friends ! With 
 what joy he greeted young and new ones ! 
 
 Arriving at Levuka the next day at breakfast time, 
 we climbed that very steep hill on which the mission 
 house stands. Nearly all the Fijian mission houses are 
 built on high, but it was my invariable experience that 
 at the top of the Jacob's Ladder leading to each I found 
 good angels who ministered to my comfort. The Rev. 
 H. Worrall, recently from Sydney, is in charge of the 
 Levuka Station. After breakfast Mr. W. and I went 
 through the native town, where we saw a company of 
 six or eight women dyeing the native cloth. This 
 , cloth is made out of the bark of the paper-mulberry 
 tree. The strips of bark having been soaked in water 
 are beaten out by the women and girls with small 
 wooden mallets, and the whole is made adhesive for 
 the required length and breadth by a mucilage 
 obtained from arrowroot. After visiting one or two 
 houses, we climbed the hills, the glorious Levuka Hills, 
 amidst the loveliest scenery and the most luxuriant 
 vegetation that can be imagined. I wish I could show 
 
40 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 my readers a bouquet of the wild flowers, or adorn them 
 with some of the leaves and vinery that we saw. 
 Strength and beauty are here combined — the 
 1 strength of the hills ' and the variegated beauty of 
 their living apparel, which, leaving no part bare, hangs 
 in graceful folds of loveliness from summit to base. 
 See yonder, far up, the sunlit heights, and here the 
 shady nooks ; listen to the splash of tiny cataracts and 
 the murmur of busy streamlets, spreading life and 
 beauty as they flow. Nature here is always c dressed 
 for company,' yet, save a few gorgeous butterflies, and 
 here and there a lonely bird calling for its mate, there 
 seem but few to hold converse with her. Still she is 
 radiant, and frowns not at such neglect. 
 
 1 Nature cares not 
 Although her loveliness should ne'er be seen 
 By human eyes, nor praised by human tongues. 
 The cataract exults among the hills, 
 And wears its crown of rainbows all alone/ 
 
 Mountains and hills, and trees and flowers, are prais- 
 ing God, Who still ' walks in the garden in the cool of 
 the day,' taking delight in the works of His hands. 
 
 We left Levuka late at night, and in the morning 
 were at Taviuni, now under the pastoral care of the 
 Rev. W. Slade. A recent and terrific hurricane had 
 damaged the settlement very much. A great tidal 
 wave set in at Yuna Point, swept stone jetty, bridge,, 
 and some houses away, injured the sugar mill very 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 41 
 
 considerably, and did much injury further inland. 
 Living amid the peace of these temperate climes, 
 where nature's wildest storms are comparatively calm, 
 one may greatly enjoy a description in book or picture 
 or song of one of these tempests of the tropics : 
 
 ' He is come ! He is come ! do ye not behold 
 His ample robes on the wind unrolled ? 
 Giant of air ! we bid thee hail ! 
 How his gray skirts toss in the whirling gale ! 
 How his huge and writhing arms are bent 
 To clasp the zone of the firmament, 
 And fold at length in their dark embrace 
 From mountain to mountain the visible space 1 " 
 
 Bat admiration of the description of such hurricanes 
 becomes a trembling of spirit in the wild grandeur of 
 the reality, and wonder at the skill of the artist is 
 changed by the mighty gusts of wind, the blinding 
 flashes of lightning, the pouring torrents of rain, the 
 mingling of fire and water, into awe of Him Who ' flies 
 upon the wings of the wind ; Who makes darkness His 
 secret place, and His pavilion round about Him dark 
 waters and thick clouds of the skies.' 
 
 We found Brother Slade diligently repairing the 
 parsonage, which bore a most dilapidated appearance, 
 as indeed did the whole place. We had a short ser- 
 vice in the church, when the Rev. J. Calvert gave an ad- 
 dress to the Circuit students, who listened with loving 
 regard to one of the band of faithful men who had 
 
42 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 brought the word of life to their fathers. Then we 
 called upon Mr. Moore, a planter, the son of an old 
 Fijian missionary, the Rev. W. Moore, whose name also 
 should be held in honour. After partaking of his hos- 
 pitality, we walked through his cocoa-nut plantation, 
 which before the hurricane must have been a magnifi- 
 cent sight, the huge fan-like leaves almost hiding the 
 sky. But now, beaten by the tempest and as if 
 scorched by fire, the glory has departed. Much finan- 
 cial loss results, of course, from these ' blows/ as the 
 planters call them, and the gardens of the natives 
 suffer considerably, so that sometimes food becomes 
 scarce. 
 
 From Yuna Point we went round to the other side 
 of the island, and then struck a south-easterly course 
 for Mango, an island which belongs to a sugar com- 
 pany. We had generally six or eight islands in sight, 
 as we steamed along, and they seemed like floating 
 gardens on a sea of glass. Having said ' Good-bye ' to 
 some gentlemen who had journeyed from Melbourne 
 with us, and discharged stores for the estate, a few 
 hours brought us to Yanua Balavu, at whose chief 
 town, Lomaloma, the Rev. J. P. Chapman, recently of 
 South Australia, lives. A few minutes after we 
 anchored Mr. Chapman came off in his boat, rowed by 
 ten sturdy fellows, and was considerably surprised to 
 see one of his South Australian friends on the quarter- 
 deck. Here the ' Suva ' remained all night, for the 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 43 
 
 harbour can be entered and left only by daylight be- 
 cause of the numerous coral reefs. Adjoining Loma- 
 loma is a Tongan town of considerable size, having a 
 very fine church, which happily had stood the force of 
 the hurricane, though the Fijian church close by had 
 been wrecked. Here we had a most interesting ser- 
 vice, at which Mr. Crosby preached in Tongan, and Mr. 
 Calvert gave a short address in Fijian, for many of 
 the people in these eastern islands can understand both 
 languages. Next morning we bade farewell to Father 
 C. and Brother C, and prayed that healing ointment 
 might be applied to the wounds of unhappy Tonga. 
 
 My second Sabbath in Fiji was a most interesting 
 day. Mr. Chapman and I started early in the morn- 
 ing for a town eight miles distant, six by sea, and then 
 two miles inland. What a magnificent forest that is 
 through which we and our crew walked, most of the 
 way in single file because of the dense growth ! How 
 short those two miles seemed ! They were two miles 
 of wonder and delight. Arrived at the town called 
 Mualevu, we first of all had a look at the new church 
 in course of erection. Its roof, almost completed, is 
 a beautiful piece of work, the reeds being interlaced in 
 a most artistic fashion, w r ith lovely shells fixed in at 
 regular intervals. No fewer than forty churches 
 in this Circuit alone were wrecked by the hurricane, 
 and what with the destruction of food as well as pro- 
 perty the people have had a hard time. Yet their gene- 
 
44 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 losity abounds unto the work of the Lord. According 
 to custom we sat in the native minister's house awhile 
 before service. On one of the poles of the house I ob- 
 served the following printed notice : — * Sa tabu na 
 yaqona Rei na tovako e na vale ogo,' that is, ' It is for- 
 bidden to drink yangona (native intoxicant) or to 
 smoke tobacco in this house,' a pledge that would 
 surely satisfy the most advanced member of the Total 
 Abstinence Alliance. There is a penalty of £50 or 
 three months' imprisonment for giving a Fijian intoxi- 
 cating liquors. Not needing, therefore, to take the 
 pledge against our wine, beer, brandy, &c, the Fijian 
 Blue Eibbonite, of whom I saw many, is pledged against 
 the native intoxicant. The peculiarity about this in- 
 toxicant is that whilst it does not, like ours, befog the 
 mind, it takes the power of locomotion from the legs. 
 Many men are pledged, too, against tobacco. I heard 
 of one man who, having signed this pledge, refused to 
 give his stock of tobacco to the chief, but burned it, 
 It was worth £1, a large sum for a native to sacrifice. 
 It was to me matter of devout thankfulness that so far 
 as I could learn the Fijian missionaries have not to 
 mourn, as have many in other parts of the mission 
 field, over wide-spread destruction amongst the natives, 
 caused by the drink traffic. What is the testimony 
 concerning other parts of the world ? Hear one of the 
 foremost secular papers of the day : ' From Australia to 
 Calcutta, from Hong-Kong to the Falkland Islands, 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 45 
 
 from Mauritius to Ceylon, the nation, whose sovereign 
 writes herself " Defender of the Faith," has carried and 
 taught the use of the deadliest poison invented by hu- 
 manity. Nor is there in the prosecution of this in- 
 fernal traffic the faintest pretence of consideration for 
 the destined victims. The drink vended among the 
 heathen is the most abominable, the fiercest, the most 
 deadly stuff distilled. When Mauritius became a sugar 
 colony the rum made there was unfit for exportation 
 to England. So it was sent to Madagascar ; and when 
 the frightful results in crime and disease led the Mala- 
 gasy king to prohibit the importation, the Mauri- 
 tius merchants complained, the English government 
 interfered, and free rum was forced upon the island. In 
 the same manner opium was forced upon China at the 
 point of the bayonet. With less effrontery but equal 
 absence of principle, British liquor has been pushed 
 through the valley of the Congo, and the missionaries 
 have been driven to confess that against this foe they 
 could make no headway. From time to time inquiries 
 are made as to the rapid decay of the native races 
 brought into contact with Europeans. Undoubtedly 
 the chief cause of this decline is the European drink 
 traffic. It has given the lie to the statements of the 
 missionaries. It has reinforced every vicious and de- 
 moralizing influence already in existence. It has caused 
 the more intelligent heathen to reject the proffered re- 
 ligion of a people who, while praising God with their 
 
46 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 mouths, worship the devil with their hands.' This is 
 a terrible indictment against a professedly Christian 
 nation, and judgment will surely come. May Fiji be 
 spared from this blighting curse. 
 
 Service past, we had dinner in the teacher's house, 
 Mr. Chapman, myself, and our ten rowers. The hostess 
 did not seem a bit distressed by the number of her 
 guests. An abundant supply of food was brought in 
 by different persons, and placed on the mats in front of 
 us. Fijian houses are furnished very simply and inex- 
 pensively. Tables and chairs there are none, and if 
 you want such luxuries as cups and saucers, and knives 
 and forks, as a rule you must take them with you when 
 you travel. The first course in our dinner was Fijian 
 soup, drunk out of a cocoa-nut shell ; then we had 
 boiled fowl with yams and taro, followed by biscuits 
 and tea. During dinner our host in his anxiety for our 
 comfort sat in front of us fanning the flies and mosqui- 
 toes away, and no man of the whole company, all sitting 
 at a respectful distance, would eat a morsel of the abun- 
 dant supply that had been brought till we gave the 
 word. Such is Fijian etiquette. The lady of the house 
 was so excessively and oppressively polite that she 
 would not draw near to us, the chiefs, except bowed to 
 the ground. After dinner, wooden pillows, one short, 
 which I suppose was a bachelor's pillow, and one long, 
 which I took to be a married man's pillow, were 
 brought out, so that we might enjoy a short siesta. 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 47 
 
 In the afternoon we attended the funeral of a 
 woman who died in the early morning. In snch a 
 climate as that of Fiji burial must quickly follow 
 death. The head, face, and hands of the corpse were 
 freely anointed with cocoa-nut oil. No wooden coffin, 
 of course, was used, but the body was wrapped up in 
 immense rolls of beautiful native cloth and valuable 
 mats. Then a large opening was cut in the end of the 
 house, through which the body was passed out. We 
 asked why this was done, and an old man explained 
 that they considered it unlawful to carry a dead body 
 out by the door through which food, the emblem of life, 
 was brought in. I do not know if the same custom is 
 observed in the western parts of Fiji, this being the 
 only funeral I attended. When King Thakombau died 
 at Bau, the house in which he died was pulled down, 
 and thrown into the sea, and his death was announced 
 amongst the islands in this formula, ' The house has 
 fallen.* A shallow grave had been prepared, in which 
 more mats were laid, which were carefully folded round 
 the body, the service proceeded in the usual way ? and 
 the grave was filled in. It was an old heathen custom 
 to cut off half a finger as a sign of mourning, especially 
 on the death of a chief. I suppose the number of 
 fingers suspended over the doorway would mark the in- 
 tensity of sorrow. I saw several men and women 
 whose hands had been thus mutilated. Of course we 
 had nothing of the kind in connection with this death. 
 
4* RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Mourning apparel in the form of. dirty pieces of old 
 matting was worn outside the ordinary clothing, calling 
 to mind the sackcloth of the East. 
 
 Returning to Lomaloma, we were a little late for the 
 lovefeast, at which about one hundred and eighty were 
 present, Tongans and Fijians uniting. Though I could 
 not understand what they said, I knew they were testi- 
 fying of that grace of God which bringeth salvation, 
 and my heart ' burned within me by the way.' After 
 tea we had about two hundred present at what is called 
 a Bo-lotu, or night meeting. This particular kind of 
 meeting is Tongan, and was conducted by the Tongan 
 teacher. It was a novel and most interesting service. 
 Commencing in the usual way by singing and prayer, 
 after an address the peculiarities of the service began 
 to show themselves. During the singing of the second 
 hymn, about twenty men and women retired from the 
 church, and we soon heard them chanting away in the 
 distance. Drawing nearer and nearer, they stood at 
 the door of the church, their wonderful music rising 
 and falling in strong and sweet cadences. Then, at a 
 sign from the leader, they marched up the aisle, a few 
 steps at a time, still singing, till they reached the front 
 of the pulpit, when they fell upon their knees, and 
 prayer was offered amid the loud responses of the con- 
 gregation. Prayer over, the company again chanted, 
 this time upon their knees, during which a second 
 choir of twenty or so retired from the church, and their 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 49 
 
 music was soon heard drawing near. When about half- 
 a-dozen companies, representing different towns, had 
 gone through this routine, we had a fellowship meet- 
 ing, and in such a warm fellowship meeting I have 
 never been before, except, perhaps, immediately after a 
 revival, when all hearts are on fire. There was no need 
 to say, * Now, brethren, do not wait for one another : ■ 
 no need to hint gently, ' Perhaps some of our sisters 
 would like to testify : ' no need to fill in an awkward 
 gap of silence with singing. The difficulty was all in 
 the other direction. While the company sang, men 
 and women, sometimes half-a-dozen at a time, stood 
 upon their feet, thus indicating their desire to tell 
 what God had done for them and was doing in them. 
 This continued till ten o'clock with no sign of flagging, 
 with no chilly draught blowing through the place. Over 
 thirty spoke, two of them being converts at the meet- 
 ing. Fijian and Tongan alternated. Some would be- 
 gin to speak in Fijian, and slide off into Tongan, and 
 vice versa. The women wept, and the men shouted, 
 and there was about as much noise as at one of the old 
 type Cornish revivals. The Fijians cried, ' Yinaka ! 
 Yinaka ! ' (Praise ; Praise !) and the Tongans shouted, 
 1 Fakafetai ! ' (Praise the Lord !) — for the Lord was 
 in the place and in our hearts of a truth. At the close 
 I was desired to give a short address, and said, ' I am 
 glad to be in your wonderful land, and in this glorious 
 meeting. J[ have been delighted to see these beautiful 
 
 n 
 
ro RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 islands, the beautiful trees and flowers, which are new 
 to me. But I am more pleased to know of your love to 
 Christ. The words of our lips differ, but we have all 
 the same language of the heart, and that is love to Him 
 Who first loved us. I could not sing with you just 
 now, but by-and-bye, if we are faithful, we shall sing 
 together the new song, " Unto Him that loved us, and 
 washed us from our sins, and made as kings and priests 
 unto God, to Him be glory for ever and ever." ' 
 
^<^<re/^c^<^<^/vt^^.^^y^^^ 
 
 sxtk n^K is^y^ty^ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ^mnngst t\jt UEittirtaarit fslatt&s, 
 (<&ontixmtb.) 
 
 Hail, Saviour, Prince of peace ! 
 
 Thy kingdom shall increase, 
 Till all the world Thy glory see ; 
 
 And righteousness abound, 
 
 As the great deep profound, 
 And fill the earth with purity ! 
 
 THE days, bringing as they do to the Fijian tourist 
 fresh scenes and experiences, seem to fly with ac- 
 celerated velocity. There is so much that is new, and 
 being new attractive, both in men and nature, that one 
 soon exhausts his stock of interjections expressive of 
 wonder and delight, and has to resort to double super- 
 latives. If you are disposed to stay at home, sit on 
 the verandah in the calm and bright morning, and 
 there rises from the stndents in the Circuit Institution 
 at the foot of the hill the strong and glad hymn of 
 praise, with which every day's studies are commenced. 
 Then you hear the monotonous ' tap, tap ' of the mal- 
 
 d 2 
 
52 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 lets used by the women in the manufacture of cloth, or 
 the echo of a loud call from a distant canoe comes 
 across the peaceful and sparkling waters. If you are 
 disposed to go abroad, follow the winding and descend- 
 ing path through rows of crotons, bananas, and cocoa- 
 nuts to the village, and you may study Fijian life in its 
 simplicity. Half a mile further on, and you are in the 
 midst of Tongan life. Smiles and kindly greetings 
 meet you on every hand as you stroll along. If it be 
 not too warm, climb the hills. Yonder on a rise to the 
 south is a cemetery, with strangely fashioned graves 
 and curious epitaphs. Spare a little time for ' medita- 
 tions amongst the tombs.' Higher up still, and you 
 can look east and west and south over the island-dotted 
 sea, an archipelago of loveliness. Wander along the 
 beach, fire rages beneath your feet, for there is a hot 
 lake yonder amongst the rocks, and here is a girl cook- 
 ing shell-fish in the hot springs close by the shore. 
 There are heaps of pumice stone lying about, borne 
 along by winds and waves from the distant Tonga, 
 where a new island recently appeared. Trace yonder 
 streamlet back into the forest, and you will see the yam 
 patches and the taro beds, and perhaps meet a few men 
 here and there working in their unf enced gardens with 
 primitive implements of agriculture, and in very prim- 
 itive attire too. So, whichever way one turns, there 
 is much to interest and something to instruct. 
 
 True to our old name of ' Rounders,' Mr. Chapman 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 53 
 
 and I decided to circumnavigate the island of Vanua 
 Balavu. Leaving Lomaloma about mid-day, it was 
 quite dark before we reached the town where we in- 
 tended to spend the night. The tide had fallen so that 
 we could not get our cutter close in to the shore, and I 
 had my first experience in a canoe. This was simply 
 a log hollowed out, shaped a little like a boat, having 
 an outrigger to prevent its rolling over. Some canoes 
 are very large, and with immense mat sails drive along 
 at a furious rate ; you have to sit pretty squarely in 
 the small ones, and, to use a figure of speech, must be 
 careful to wink with both eyes at once. We went, as 
 is the custom, to the teacher's house. He, poor fellow, 
 was rather hard up, I hope only temporarily, and 
 could manage only sweet potatoes for us. However, 
 hunger makes up for many deficiencies : so, thankful 
 for what mercies we enjoyed, we stretched out on the 
 mats, to dream perchance of civilized lands and luxu- 
 ries. Next morning at daybreak, the village ' lali ' 
 (wooden dram) was beaten, and we had service, the church 
 being quite full. Mr. Chapman interpreted my address 
 to a most attentive congregation, the boys and the girls 
 seeming amazed that I could speak such a strange lan- 
 guage as English, for they listened with eyes and ears 
 and mouths, and when a stranger word than usual came 
 out, smiled and nudged one another in a quiet way. 
 During breakfast — this time we were well off with 
 fowl and yams and rice — an old man entertained us 
 
54 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 with the relation of some of his early experiences of 
 heathen times. When a young man he ate human 
 flesh, ' just as we now eat pig's flesh,' he said, but when 
 the Lotu (Christianity) came he became ashamed. It 
 makes one feel a little queer to look into the face of a 
 man who has feasted so horribly, and I must confess 
 to just a small sensation of nervousness a little while 
 afterwards when walking through the forest, this man 
 being behind me with a hatchet in his hand. What if 
 the old appetite should suddenly and overpoweringly 
 arise ? One blow, and for a day or two he would forget 
 the scarcity that is in some parts by reason of the hur- 
 ricane. What groundless fears and needless thoughts ! 
 That man is a brother in Christ Jesus, and no more 
 thinks of eating me than I do of eating him. 
 
 We started out again upon our voyaging, passing 
 several places of historic interest, and were soon 
 threading the mazes of the wonderful Bay of Islands. 
 Here were fairy islets that threatened to close up our 
 way, then out through a narrow passage our boat would 
 glide into the midst of other magic circles of beauty. 
 Anon we got a peep of the deep blue sea outside, and 
 the white foam on the distant reefs. Here in the cool 
 depths of the glassy sea are reflected sunny peaks 
 draped in gossamer clouds. If fairies dwell anywhere, 
 it must surely be in such enchanted realms as these. 
 Towards evening our voyage began to be somewhat 
 wearisome, and perhaps a little dangerous, for we had 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 55 
 
 to beat up against a stiff: head wind, and were amongst 
 the reefs. We had one boy at the masthead and another 
 on the bows, to keep a ' bright look-oat,' which my old 
 friend, Captain Melville, of Port Augusta, calls 'the 
 practical part of navigation.' When we were a few 
 miles from home Mr. Chapman sent a boy ashore with 
 a message to Mrs. Chapman to send on the smaller 
 boat to Mualevn. We put in at this town, got a guide 
 and a lamp for a two miles' walk through the forest, 
 and then met the rowers, who soon took us home to 
 comfort once more. The cutter remained at Mualevu 
 for more favourable breezes, finishing her voyage next 
 day. I was considerably surprised and amused at the 
 way in which our guide prepared the lamp for us. 
 Taking the kerosene mouthful by mouthful out of the 
 tin, he squirted it into the reservoir of the lamp, and 
 so filled it. I do not know if this is the usual practice, 
 our friend at Mualevu may have had a peculiar taste. 
 A day or two after this trip I heard our ' masthead' 
 boy preach a sermon from Psalm lxxiii. 28 : 'But it 
 is good for me to draw near to God.' The following is 
 a translation, kindly made by the Rev. John Leggoe, 
 of the outline which the preacher gave me. 
 
 1 1. Let me explain the nature of prayer. Prayer 
 is spoken of in many places in the Word of God. 
 Therein we are taught its value and importance. It is 
 described under such words as Seek and Aslc. The 
 
56 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 value of importunity is taught us in Matthew xv. 22- 
 28. In our text it is spoken of as ' drawing near to 
 God.' 
 
 1. We draw near to God when we pray from our 
 hearts. The heart-felt prayers are those which reach 
 heaven, and are heard by the Divine Father. See Acts 
 ix. 11. 
 
 2. We cannot draw near to God effectually unless 
 we separate ourselves from all sin, whether hidden in 
 our hearts or apparent in our lives. 
 
 3. We cannot draw near to God unless we ask 
 Him to help us by His Holy Spirit. See Romans viii. 
 26. 
 
 4. We should draw near to God with strong and 
 mighty faith. 
 
 II. The benefits of prayer, and the times when we 
 realize them. 
 
 1. When we are faint-hearted by the way. 
 
 2. In all the changes of this present life. 
 
 3. In the hour of temptation. 
 
 4. In the hour of sorrow and bereavement. 
 
 5. In the hour of spiritual weakness. 
 
 6. When persecuted and mocked. 
 
 7. In sickness and weakness. . - 
 
 8. When we are anxious to benefit our friends who 
 are exposed to temptation and evil. Illus. Abraham 
 praying for Lot, 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 57 
 
 Application : 
 
 1. We learn the value of religion in oar prayers. 
 We have this privilege which the irreligious do not 
 possess. 
 
 2. Let others say what they will, we Christians 
 know we receive blessings through prayer.' 
 
 This outline covers considerable ground, and con- 
 tains good wholesome doctrine, but the subject is not 
 such as shows best how the Fijian mind works. The 
 next sermon I heard, from Isaiah xxxii. 2, ' Rivers of 
 water in a dry place,' translated to me sentence by sen- 
 tence, was really eloquent, the theme appearing to suit 
 both preacher and people exactly, and giving room for 
 the poetic sentiments of spiritual life and knowledge. 
 
 I had the pleasure of attending a wedding at 
 Lomaloma. Both bride and bridegroom, who looked 
 by-the-way dreadfully solemn, were enveloped in so 
 much native cloth that they could hardly walk or stoop. 
 They were well oiled for the occasion, and I must say 
 that I prefer getting to windward of a well-oiled Fijian. 
 No bridesmaid or groomsman supported the bashful 
 couple. After the ceremony both took off a consider- 
 able portion of their wedding garments, and seemed 
 much more comfortable. The bride was kind enough 
 to present me with part of her bridal costume, but 
 what particular garment it is I cannot undertake to 
 say. I was surprised to see his lordship the bridegroom 
 
58 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 march off by himself, as though he had nothing what- 
 ever further to do with the lady. He will soon find 
 out, I judge, that he is no longer a free man. 
 
 I do not think I enjoyed anything in Fiji, that is, 
 outside the churches, more than the Tongan 'Mekes' 
 which I heard. Mr. Chapman was good enough to in- 
 vite ten Tongan maidens up to the parsonage, that I 
 might be entertained with their singing. These girls 
 chanted almost incessantly for an hour and a half, 
 keeping faultless time with voices, hands, and bodies. 
 They were clad in differently coloured sulus and capes, 
 and each girl was enwreathed with brilliant flowers. 
 As they sat in a semicircle on the mats their appear- 
 ance was most picturesque. Their actions were most 
 graceful, and the supply of ' mekes ' seemed inexhaust- 
 ible, each ' meke ' having its particular and appropriate 
 accompaniment in the motions of hands and bodies. 
 There seemed no slip in tone or word or action, 
 all sang and moved as if by one impulse. 
 
 In the afternoon of the following day we visited the 
 Tongan town near Lomaloma, and examined the house 
 in which Maaf u, a kind of Tongan king of the Wind- 
 ward Islands, used to live. Several interesting relics 
 were shown us by the old man in charge, such as 
 Maafu's sword, the whip with which he used to thrash 
 the refractory, and amongst other articles of furniture 
 not expected in a native house, two splendid drawing- 
 room mirrors, in which I suppose his yellow majesty 
 
AMONGST THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. 59 
 
 used to admire himself : or it may be they were his 
 wife's property. Her ladyship, still living, I believe, 
 is so large that being seated she cannot rise without 
 assistance. Attending a feast at Bau, ten men carried 
 her in a chair up the steep hill to the parsonage, and 
 then, because of her size, had to lift her over the gate ! 
 
 At night, by way of variety of entertainment, we 
 had a Fijian war-dance on a small scale. This, while 
 interesting, was a most hideous exhibition, and made 
 one feel inclined to stand behind a friendly cocoa-nut 
 tree, lest perchance the old fire should break out afresh, 
 and the little party of whites furnish food for the 
 ovens. It was a weird scene, in the cocoa-nut forest at 
 night, lighted by torches held by Fijian damsels. 
 About twenty men took part, each half in turn singing 
 while the other half went through their warlike evolu- 
 tions. The get-up of the warriors — they were all local 
 preachers in good standing, thank the Lord — was 
 hideous in the extreme. Their advances and retreats, 
 all in the most exact time, their startling war-cries, 
 the flourishing of their clubs, the marvellous contortions 
 of their bodies, formed a novel exhibition worth be- 
 holding, as suggestive of the days of bloodshed that 
 had passed away. Before the war-dance a feast was 
 provided for them, which put them in most excellent 
 spirits, and all did their best. 
 
 My week on Yanua Balavu has been filled with 
 most pleasant experiences, and now I must once more 
 
60 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 face old Neptune. There is smoke on the distant 
 horizon, a shout, ' steamer,'' goes through the villages 
 and along the beach, and soon the ' Suva ' is discharg- 
 ing passengers and cargo from Tonga, and taking on 
 passengers and cargo for the western islands and ports. 
 What a busy scene ! What a Babel of tongues ! 
 Laughing girls and boys are on the beach, and paddling 
 about in canoes, pelting one another with oranges. 
 Farewell, happy and simple people, may we meet on a 
 brighter shore ! 
 
 The steamer, lightly laden, tumbles about a good 
 deal as soon as we get outside the reefs, and what with 
 that and the conglomeration of smells, such as steam, 
 heated oil, paint, bad tobacco, &c, &c, I cannot say 
 that I enjoy voyaging. With a good basketful of 
 curios and shells I left Lomaloma, grateful for the 
 very kind and thoughtful attentions of the Rev. J. P. 
 and Mrs. Chapman. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 fUtaa attir &abnloa. 
 
 And duly shall appear, 
 In verdure, beauty, strength, 
 The tender blade, the stalk, the ear, 
 And the full corn at length. 
 
 ON the return from the Windward Islands we called 
 again at Mango, but remained only long enough 
 to get the mail. How eagerly letters and newspapers are 
 looked for by the lonely dwellers on some of these dis- 
 tant islands ! Next day we went up the western coast of 
 Taviuni, and shipped cattle and various kinds of mer- 
 chandise. It was too stormy to go ashore at the mis- 
 sion station to see Mrs. Slade, and our stay was but 
 brief. Late in the evening we shaped our course for 
 Ovalau, and at breakfast time next morning were once 
 more in Levuka harbour. Mr. and Mrs. Worrall were 
 away at Bau, so that I was thrown upon my own re- 
 sources for the day's entertainment. However, it was 
 not needful to leave the jetty for that entertainment, 
 and having moreover a good supply of Tongan oranges, 
 
62 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 I fared very well under the circumstances. At eleven 
 p.m. we left for Suva, which town we reached about 
 eight o'clock the next morning. Mr. Lindsay's boat 
 arrived in the afternoon, and on the following day I 
 left for Navuloa, intending to spend some time in the 
 important circuits in that neighbourhood, Rewa, Bau, 
 andViwa. Lacking an interpreter on this trip, it was 
 very little I could understand from the boys or they 
 from me. So I ate and drank and read and meditated, 
 and made ludicrous attempts at conversation, and dozed 
 as we sailed or rowed along. Having tacked across 
 Lauthala Bay we entered the Rewa Roads, and the lads 
 poled the boat along one of the river branches, which 
 was too narrow for pulling. We often seemed com- 
 pletely closed in by green walls of shrubs and trees, 
 and then the winding stream would open out into new 
 deliverances and surprising beauties, till we got out 
 into the main channel of the river, which I have already 
 described. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay welcomed me most 
 heartily, and I felt glad after the promiscuous company 
 of steamboat and hotel to be in genial Methodist 
 society once more. 
 
 Our next outing was in the Rewa Circuit, a diocese 
 having 25,000 adherents under the superintendence of 
 the Rev. W. E. Bromilow. We, that is, Mr. Lindsay 
 and I, took possession of the parsonage, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bromilow being away in Victoria. At the back of the 
 parsonage are immense mounds, which are the burial 
 
REWA AND NAVULOA. 63 
 
 place of chiefs. On the Sabbath Mr. Lindsay con- 
 ducted two native services, and I preached morning 
 and evening at two sugar estates np the Rewa. Our 
 boatmen were preachers also, and went to take services 
 in the villages here and there. In the evening at the 
 English service there were fifty or sixty present, which 
 is a large white congregation for this part of the 
 world. Next morning we went through the sugar- 
 mill at Nausori, which, I am told, is the largest in the 
 world, the company employing about 200 whites and 
 1,000 coolies. The sub-manager very kindly and 
 carefully explained the process of sugar boiling to us. 
 We saw the cane going into the crushers, and followed 
 up the whole process till w T e saw the brown sugar 
 bagged and shipped to the colonies to be refined. The 
 heat in the mill was most terrific, the odours new, sur- 
 prising, horrible ; the stickiness simply abominable ; yet 
 out of these purity and sweetness come by fire. 
 
 During our stay at Nausori we were the guests of 
 the widow of the Rev. Abel Kaibure, who visited the 
 colonies a few years ago, but died shortly after his re- 
 turn to Fiji. What a feast the people brought in for 
 us on Sabbath evening, yams, taro, bread, tinned meats, 
 eggs, butter, tea, and even an apple pie made by one of 
 the native girls ! A formal presentation of the food 
 was made. With clapping of hands and cries of 
 ' Yinaka ! Yinaka ! ' it was accepted in the usual polite 
 style, and thus the whole became our property, to be 
 
64 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 eaten or taken away, as we pleased. The chief of 
 the village, who was present, was invited to join us at 
 tea, and we did full justice to the bountiful provision. 
 
 We left Nausori about midday for Navuloa, calling en 
 route at Nakelo. Here we had the honour of shaking 
 hands with a very high chief known as the King of 
 Nakelo, a very old man with a very young wife, a very 
 handsome woman, who is a niece of Thakombau's. This 
 is the first time I have had the privilege of meeting 
 Fijian royalty, though petty chiefs seem to be abun- 
 dant. One is rather astonished at times to be told that 
 the young man waiting at table, or pulling an oar in 
 the boat, is a noble, that is, an aristocrat. Let me say 
 here that I did not meet any Fijian man or woman who 
 was not extremely polite, and some were oppressively 
 so, according to our colonial notions. 
 
 At Navuloa I went several times into the Institution 
 to see the students at work, and make proof of their 
 attainments. There are over a hundred students in 
 residence, picked men from all the circuits, who 
 undergo a two or three years' course in preparation for 
 employment as village teachers and catechists, and 
 then on, if they are especially promising, to the ranks 
 of the village ministry. Whatever else these men may 
 be ignorant of, they know their Bibles well, as well as 
 Scotch folk I should think, and I would not like to 
 stand side by side with some of them at an examination 
 in Bible history. Of course they read hardly anything 
 
REWA AND NAVULOA. 65 
 
 else, for there are very few Fijian books. They have 
 translations of the * Pilgrim's Progress,' John Hunt's 
 Sermons, with perhaps one or two other works. I 
 examined the most advanced in several subjects, and 
 was much pleased. The time of their annual examina- 
 tion was at hand, and at Mr. Lindsay's request I pre- 
 pared an arithmetic paper for them, which, from what 
 I remember of school work, was about equal to the 
 work done by boys of the fifth form. 
 
 From one of the larger books on Fiji I quote the 
 following specimens of Fijian proverbial philosophy, 
 which my young readers may not have seen : — 
 
 (a) ' There is a wind that blows for many years 
 without stopping : but at last there comes a lull, it 
 stops, and a world falls ! What wind is it that blows* 
 and what is the world that falls ? Answer. — The wind 
 is the breath of man, and the world that falls is man 
 himself.' 
 
 (6) ■ We have just buried some old men, who, how- 
 ever, ere long, will come back to us again fresh and 
 youthful. Answer. — We are just back from burying 
 a lot of old yams, which six months hence will come to 
 us again as young ones.' 
 
 (c) Here is the creed of canoe-builders and carpen- 
 ters : — 
 
 * The source of all chopping power is the stomach.' 
 
 That is Australian philosophy too. 
 
 (d) Somewhat akin to Shakespeare's ' Seven Ages 
 
 E 
 
66 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 of Man* is the following: — ' There is a little animal 
 which at sunrise and for a short while after has but 
 one leg. As the sun climbs upwards, he gains four 
 legs. Presently, when the sun is a little higher, and 
 for a long time after, he returns to the use of two legs. 
 Then at last when the ' eye of day ' prepares to go 
 down, this wonderful animal hobbles along on three 
 legs.' Explanation : — 1. Helpless infant. 2. Infant 
 crawling on all fours. 3. Youth and manhood walking 
 on two legs. 4. ' Give me my walking-stick,' says the 
 tottering old man. 
 
 Mr. Lindsay delivers ' Question-Box Lectures ' to 
 the students at regular intervals. It is a most interest- 
 ing time when the box is opened, and the oftentimes 
 curious questions are answered. I selected the follow- 
 ing questions as specimens : — 
 
 1. ' Did Judas go to heaven ? Who appointed him 
 to sell Jesus as our atonement ? ' 
 
 2. ' Where does the wdnd come from, heaven or 
 earth ? ' 
 
 3. ' What government, country, or man invented 
 guns, for there were none in olden times ? ' 
 
 4. ' Who set in order the books of the Bible, for 
 they were not written at the same lime ? ' 
 
 Here are the pulsations of intellectual life quickened 
 by that spiritual life which is begotten of the Holy 
 Ghost. Shall we deny to these men the bread for 
 which they hunger ? I went from the reading of \ Fiji 
 
REWA AND NAVULOA. 67 
 
 and the Fijians,' — a record of wars and cannibalism, of 
 superstition and corruption — into the midst of these 
 men ' clothed and in their right minds/ and my spirit 
 was stirred with wonder and thankfulness within me. 
 4 This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our 
 eyes.' 
 
 We had also a school examination here which was 
 very interesting. Several schools of one section of the 
 Navuloa Circuit united for this annual demonstration. 
 I wish I had a coloured photograph of the company of 
 happy and shining boys and girls to show you, especi- 
 ally when formed in square for their ' mekes.' Ima- 
 gine if you can a company of about one hundred and 
 fifty copper-coloured lads and lasses, of ages ranging 
 from eighteen down to eight. Parents and friends in 
 considerable numbers are interested spectators of the 
 afternoon's proceedings. The village square has a 
 most brilliant appearance. The youngsters are dressed 
 in their gayest sulus. Many are adorned in the most 
 artistic fashion with flowers, leaves, vinery. They are 
 freely anointed with cocoa-nut oil for the occasion. The 
 business of the afternoon begins with an examination 
 in reading, writing, and arithmetic. That ended, all 
 retire for awhile to the forest for the completion of 
 their adornment, and preparation for the next part of 
 the programme. Soon they are seen issuing from 
 amongst the shrubs and trees in single file, a regular 
 rainbow for variety and brightness of colours. Pass- 
 
 E 2 
 
68 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 ing in front of the missionary's seat, each child places 
 on the ground an offering of food, yams, or taro, or 
 cocoanuts, until there is a considerable heap. This 
 food is afterwards divided amongst some of the people, 
 who, I suppose, were the poorest. Now, under the 
 direction of one of the village teachers, they are formed 
 into square, boys on one side, girls on the other. At a 
 signal they sit down upon the grass. A girl begins a 
 strange chant. After a few notes the other girls join 
 in. Soon the deeper voices of the boys are heard, until 
 the whole company is at it most vigorously. With this 
 singing are very graceful motions of their bodies and 
 actions of the hands, all keeping splendid time. One 
 hundred and fifty bodies bend this way or that as one. 
 One hundred and fifty hands pat the ground as if only 
 one touched it. Three hundred hands clap together as 
 if only one pair had clapped. It was a most exciting 
 concert, and instead of crying, c Encore,' we shouted out 
 in true Fijian style, ' Yinaka ! Vinaka ! ' The ' mekes ' 
 they sang were first about the Revs. Messrs. Cross and 
 Cargill, and the introduction of Christianity at La- 
 kemba, where the standard of the Gospel was first un- 
 furled, and then about the destruction of Sodom and 
 Gomorrah. They have, I understand, a great number 
 of these chants about Biblical and historic events, and 
 so the knowledge of these things is kept fresh in the 
 children's minds. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 38 au. 
 
 Can we, whose souls are lighted 
 
 With wisdom from on high, 
 Can we to men benighted 
 
 The lamp of life deny ? 
 Salvation I Salvation ! 
 
 The joyful sound proclaim, 
 Till each remotest nation 
 
 Has learnt Messiah's name. 
 
 MY next abiding place was Bau, which, though a 
 very small island, is from a native standpoint 
 the hub of Fiji, the aristocratic West End, rejoicing in 
 the olden days in the high-sounding title of the ' Go5- 
 land,' the centre of political power, and still retaining 
 something of its glory. The Rev. F. Langham, chair- 
 man of the District, lives here, so this is the Methodist 
 centre likewise. Mr. and Mrs. Langham have been in 
 Fiji nearly thirty years, and can enter into closer sym- 
 pathy with the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. xi. 26-28 than 
 can most of us. When Mr. Langham writes his 
 
70 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 autobiography, as I trust he will, lie will have some 
 thrilling adventures to narrate, and some glorious 
 evidences of Divine protection and deliverance. If 
 Messrs. Cross and Cargill, Hunt and Calvert, Watsford 
 and Williams and others planted the seed of the King- 
 dom in Fiji, Mr. Langham and his contemporaries have 
 nurtured the young and tender plant, and now it is a 
 great tree, and it is like Joseph, ' a fruitful bough by a 
 well ; whose branches run over the wall.' Let us hon- 
 our the noble men and women, whose names are surely 
 worthy to be added to the list of the faithful and heroic 
 in Heb. xi., who, when they went to Fiji, went out on 
 no holiday excursion, as we now go, finding nothing 
 but kindness wherever we travel. They went to face 
 death, if need be, that they might snatch the prey from 
 the mighty by proclaiming Jesus the Saviour of men. 
 What great names are on the mission roll of modern 
 times ! Brainerd and Carey, Judson and Duff, Shaw 
 and Livingstone and Moffat, Williams and Hunt and 
 Patteson and many now living have been and are 
 heroes of the cross in many lands. From humble 
 ranks they have come. Marty n was the son of a Corn- 
 ish miner, Livingstone a Scotch cotton operative, Duff 
 the son of a farmer, Carey a dealer in second-hand 
 shoes, Judson the son of a Congregational minister, 
 Hunt a Lincolnshire ploughboy, Morrison served his 
 time as a last-maker, and Williams was apprenticed to 
 an ironmonger. Now, men of high rank and wealth 
 
BAU. . ' 71 
 
 and learning are fired with a pure zeal for God and 
 humanity, and are consecrating all to this service. 
 Theodore Parker said, ' If the modern missionary enter- 
 prise had done no more than produce one such char- 
 acter as Adoniram Judson, it was worth more than all 
 the money that had been spent upon it.' But Judson is 
 only one of a bright constellation of holy and devoted 
 men and women, for whom the world has reason to 
 thank God. Nor should we forget those who, brought 
 out of the darkness of heathenism, have become minis- 
 ters of light and life to others. These men, white and 
 brown and black, have restored the lineaments of apos- 
 tolic heroism, that had become worn and faded almost 
 out of recognition. Themistocles could not sleep when 
 he heard of the deeds of Miltiades. Charles Simeon 
 had the portrait of Henry Martyn hanging in his study, 
 that it might say to him, ' Be in earnest, Simeon.' 
 May we be followers of those ' who through faith sub- 
 dued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained prom- 
 ises/ 
 
 4 The tidal wave of deeper souls 
 Into our inmost being rolls, 
 And lifts us unawares 
 Above all meaner cares.' 
 
 So let us hold the truth as a trust no less than a privi- 
 lege, and ever remember that we are debtors to those 
 who are in need. We must see our stewardship in our 
 
72 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 sonship, and reading on from Luke xv. to Luke xvi. 
 advance from feasting to fidelity. 
 
 Mr. Langnam has a large and splendid collection of 
 genuine curios, some of which would make your flesh 
 creep a little, perchance. His study is more wonderful 
 and interesting than the ' Old Curiosity Shop.' What 
 memories of dark days and terrible scenes cluster round 
 those skulls and clubs and spears and cannibal forks ! 
 Here is the cannibal fork, with handle beautifully 
 carved, which King Thakombau presented to Mr. 
 Langham. Into many a choice morsel of human flesh 
 this fork has doubtless been thrust. Here is a sail- 
 needle made out of the shiiibone of the chief Batinamu, 
 (Mosquito tooth— appropriate name,) a man who in- 
 tended to kill and eat the Rev. Thomas Williams, one 
 of the early missionaries. 
 
 The little hill which, with a very narrow fringe of 
 level coast ground, part of which has been reclaimed 
 from the sea, forms the island of Bau, is not much more 
 than a mile in circumference, and is separated from the 
 mainland of VI ti Levu by a narrow and shallow chan- 
 nel. On this island, blood has flowed like water. 
 Hither have been brought countless victims, and the 
 ovens have not lacked for bodies. What fiendish joy 
 was manifested when the canoes, laden with victims 
 for the horrid feast, returned from their war expedi- 
 tions, the bodies of babes and young children dangling 
 at the masthead ! Yonder is a part of the town that 
 
BAU. 73 
 
 was called ' Butchers' Quarter,' where they dwelt whose 
 business it was to do the clubbing. The immense 
 foundations of the old heathen temple still remain. 
 Outside its door stood that historic stone, against which 
 so many victims were battered to death, but which 
 now does duty as a baptismal font in the Thakombau 
 Memorial Church. 
 
 What a magnificent view there is from the top of 
 Bau Hill of the mainland and the islands in the dis- 
 tance ! This hill, called the ' top of the town,' was 
 formerly the receptacle of filth and rubbish, but now is 
 occupied by parsonage and schools, and is the burial 
 place of a king. Is it not strange that where nature 
 is so lovely man should have been so vile ? How is it 
 that the native inhabitants of the most lovely regions 
 of the world seem the least able to appreciate that 
 loveliness ? They walk unconcerned amid such scenery 
 as would send poet or artist into ecstasies. Here is 
 
 ' The negligence of Nature, wide and wild, 
 Where, undisguised by mimic art, she spreads 
 Unbounded beauty to the roving eye.' 
 
 The flush of poetic beauty is on all— on the blue sky 
 and sea, on the islands set like gems on Ocean's brow, 
 and the glistening foam on the coral reefs surrounding 
 them, on the deep green forests and luscious fruits and 
 gorgeous flowers, but the mind of the Fijian grovelled 
 in the most vulvar and debasing earthliness. Nature 
 
74 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 in her loveliness here protested against the vileness of 
 man : he heeded not her voice. But when the living 
 Christ spoke the message of love and purity by His 
 ambassadors, men listened and wondered, and wept and 
 prayed and rejoiced in His salvation. 
 
 Bau, that was an Akeldama, is now the Jerusalem 
 of Fiji, whither the tribes go up to worship. It has a 
 very fine stone church, 97 feet by 45 feet inside mea- 
 surement, with walls 2£ feet thick, the cathedral of 
 Fijian Methodism. It was built with the stone gath- 
 ered from the foundations of fifteen heathen temples, 
 and will hold, I judge, about eight hundred people. A 
 Fijian congregation sits tailor- fashion on mats, men on 
 one side of the church, women on the other. One mat 
 in the Bau church is eighty feet loug and twenty-two 
 feet wide. I had the pleasure of preaching in this 
 church from Psalm xl. 3 : ' He hath put a new song 
 in my mouth,' and assisted afterwards at the baptism 
 of two men, the font being the stone to which I have 
 referred, that had been so often stained with blood. 
 
 At Bau there still lives an old man who had assisted 
 at the strangling of the wives of Tanoa, Thakombau's 
 father. To look upon that old man prostrate before 
 the Lord is to see what the Gospel has been doing in 
 every generation, making all things new. The widow 
 of good old Joeli Bulu, that hero of the cross, is here 
 too, awaiting re-union in brighter realms. Thakom- 
 bau's daughter, Lady Harriet Flag, for many years a 
 
BA U. 75 
 
 class-leader in Ban Church, a princess, a mother in 
 Israel, has recently gone to her reward. ' Kings' daugh- 
 ters are among Thy honourable women.' 
 
 I made a pilgrimage, as in duty bound, to Thakom- 
 bau's grave, which is only a short distance from Bau 
 parsonage. It is an immense mound on the highest 
 part of the hill overlooking the sea. This mound is 
 edged with large slabs of stone, and enclosed with a 
 neat fence. A few words concerning this wonderful 
 man may be interesting. His life has, perhaps, no 
 parallel in history. A journal of that life, if such had 
 been kept, would have had an immense circulation, for 
 the wildest romance would have paled before it. It 
 began in the foulest horrors of idolatry and cannibalism. 
 He clubbed to death while yet a very young boy the 
 son of a minor chief. When as a young man he was 
 extending his power, he moved so stealthily and struck 
 so venomously as to gain for himself the name ' Thik- 
 inovu,' that is ' The Centipede.' He seems to have 
 had a distinct genius for war, and was born to be a 
 ruler. Paul's terrible picture of the vices of the pagan 
 world in his day is no exaggeration of the vices of 
 Fijian heathenism. There are heathen lands in which 
 rays of Christian light shine, and the darkness is less 
 intense because of Christian environment, but in the 
 heathenism of Fiji well-nigh everything good was 
 strangled, and siu rioted unchecked. Thakombau was 
 the incarnation of such heathenism. Missionary enter- 
 
76 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 prise struck sharp blows at his personal vices and 
 official cruelties. Men of God prayed for him, and 
 pleaded with him to repent of his sin and seek Divine 
 mercy. He lotu'd in 1854, and after a long period of 
 probation, during which he brought forth ' fruits meet 
 for repentance,' he was baptized. The hard-hearted 
 and cruel had, by the renewing of the Holy Ghost, 
 become merciful and kind, the proud chief was hum- 
 bled, the unclean was now chaste. How cruel he had 
 been ! Putting a fish-hook in a man's tongue, he drew 
 it out as far as possible, cut it off, boiled it, and ate it 
 before the victim's eyes. How true the change that 
 was wrought in him ! Many years ago, a rebel was 
 caught and brought before the council of chiefs to be 
 tried. Some were for clubbing him at once. Thak- 
 ombau asked Mr. Langham, who was present, ' What 
 shall we do with him ? ' Mr. Langham replied, ' That 
 is for you to say, Sir.' ' Then,' said the King, ' we 
 will take him down to Ban, and show him what Christ- 
 ianity has done for ns.' In 1870, he was acknowledged 
 King of Fiji. Visiting Sydney he is said to have re- 
 marked, ' I wish I were young again, but it is too late 
 for me now to set up these wonderful works of yours 
 in Fiji.' After a brief reign of four years, he ceded the 
 sovereignty to England, and the islands were formally 
 annexed in September, 1874, an allowance of £1,500 a 
 year being made to him. His death on February 1st, 
 1883, resulted from the rupture of an abscess. Speak- 
 
BAU. 77 
 
 ing of his religious life the Fiji Times said, ' The Wes- 
 leyan Church loses in him one of its most distinguished 
 members. His influence on the side of Christianity, 
 and of good in general, has been greater than that of 
 any chief or combination 'of chiefs throughout the 
 islands. Since his conversion and baptism he has led 
 a worthy life, and though eminent before for tyranny, 
 licentiousness, and disregard to human life, he has 
 since been free from reproach, chaste in conduct, and 
 considerate of the people. Thakombau saw his king- 
 dom gathered into one compact whole. There is little 
 doubt that but for his assistance the work of reconciling 
 the natives to English supremacy would have been 
 more difficult and more prolonged.' This testimony, 
 coming from a secular and local source, is specially val- 
 uable. Argument for the truth and power of Christ- 
 ianity can never be wanting while we can point to such 
 transformations. ' Go and show John those things 
 which ye do hear and see ' is the best answer still to 
 all critical questions and carping criticisms. 
 
 The account of Thakombau's death, as related by 
 the Rev. F. Langham, is very interesting. A day or 
 two before his death he said to one of his attendants, 
 1 Faith is a good thing, it is a great thing, for it is by 
 faifch we are saved. Ah, Salvation is a great thing. 
 Salvation is the one thing/ Towards the middle of 
 the night before his death he said, ' We have not had 
 prayers yet, have we ? Well, we will have them now, 
 
78 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 and I will conduct them/ and then he prayed in his 
 usual beautifully simple style. The name of Jesus 
 was often on his lips, and to those around him he would 
 say, ' Be thou faithful unto death.' Once he prayed, 
 'Lord, be gracious unto me. Here I lie in obedience to 
 Thy will. Life and death are in Thy hands. Thou alone 
 rudest.' Early in the morning of the day on which he 
 died, he was heard praying, ' Lord, be gracious to Thy 
 servant. Help me this day. Give me Thy Holy 
 Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Thy Son, my Saviour.' 
 His last audible prayer was, ' Hold me, Jesus ! Hold 
 me, Jesus ! My faith in Thee is firm.' And thus 
 passed away the King of Fiji, a trophy of Divine grace. 
 His funeral was deferred for about three months, dur- 
 ing which the body lay in state. A raised space in the 
 house was curtained with drapery of native cloth, and 
 this was the chamber of death, visited by multitudes 
 of the people, both European and Fijian. Many Fijian 
 customs were observed in connexion with his burial. 
 A great funeral feast was prepared. The house in 
 which he died was torn down and cast into the sea. 
 His immense double canoe was drawn up on the beach 
 to be used no more. Devout men carried Thakombau 
 to his burial, and he was buried like a king. 
 
 Is it not witnessed in every land that ' our people die 
 well ? ' Hear the dying testimonies of two Fijians, 
 reported by Joeli Bulu. Daniel Kepa said, ' Every day 
 have I an assurance of the pardon of my sins. I know 
 
BAU. 79 
 
 that if my life here were to end to-day, I should enter 
 upon life eternal in heaven. In the night my soul is 
 full of peace, for I found the love of God, and He helped 
 me. Plain as noonday is it to me that my soul is 
 saved, therefore I fear not to die, for I know that when 
 my soul is parted from my body I shall live for ever 
 with my God through Jesus Christ my Lord. ... I 
 am ready to be gone to-day. This Sabbath shall I 
 spend in heaven. Let your words be few. My Lord 
 is here, and calls me away. Look ! behold the Lord ! ' 
 Eeubeu of Ono spoke thus : 4 "Weep not for me : as 
 forme, I live. The Lord and His angels are hastening 
 to take me with Him. If you love me, hold fast to 
 the Lotu. Be earnest in religion. This very day shall I 
 look with mine eyes upon the things which I believed, 
 though I saw them not. Now am I going to possess 
 them all. . . . Do you not see Him ? Look ! The 
 house is full of angels ! My Saviour is hastening me 
 away ! Farewell ! Great is my love to you.' So are 
 Christ's words being fulfilled : ' They shall come from 
 the east, and from the west, and from the north, and 
 from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of 
 God.' 
 
 ' may we triumph so, 
 
 When all our warfare's past, 
 And, dying, find our latest foe 
 Under our feet at last. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Wiiaa. 
 
 Jesus ! ride on, Till all are subdued, 
 Thy mercy make known, And sprinkle Thy blood : 
 Display Thy salvation, And teach the new song 
 To every nation, And people, and tongue. 
 
 ABOUT two miles from Ban is the lovely islet of 
 Yiwa, notorious in former days like Ban for deeds 
 of darkness, bnt having a sncceeding glorions history of 
 grace, for it was the scene of a remarkable work of sal- 
 vation during the ministry of the sainted John Hunt. 
 It is the head of an immense circuit, which stretches a 
 long way down the coast of Yiti Levu. The Bev. A. 
 J. Small has for some years zealously administered the 
 affairs of this circuit, in which are over twenty thou- 
 sand people connected with our Church. 
 
 I had special opportunities of studying native life, 
 and of observing the influence Wesley an Methodism is 
 exercising in these islands. He has not seen Fiji who 
 has simply visited Suva and Levuka, and conversed 
 
VIWA. £i 
 
 with a few planters. One must get amongst the people, 
 see the children in the schools, the men in their 
 gardens, the women in their homes, and all in the 
 churches. The magnitude of Wesleyan Methodism in 
 Fiji will impress even the casual observer. On broad 
 and firm foundations, laid fifty years ago, the great 
 fabric has been erected, and in the spiritual life of a 
 second generation the power and glory of the Lord are 
 manifested in His temple. As in Ezekiel's vision, a 
 river of life has been flowing amongst this people, and 
 1 everything lives whither the river cometh.' 
 
 Not very many years ago cruelty and treachery, lust 
 and murder stalked through the land. Blood flowed like 
 water, homes and villages were ruthlessly destroyed, 
 and desolation and mourning were on every hand. What 
 now is the record ? From the 'Report of the Australian 
 Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society for the year 
 ending March, 1887/ we extract the following infor- 
 mation concerning the Fiji District : — Churches, 862 : 
 Other preaching places, 406 : Missionaries, 10 : Native 
 Ministers, 56 : Catechists, 47 : Local Preachers, 1,910 : 
 Class Leaders, 3,480 : Sabbath School Teachers, 2,679 : 
 Native Members, 27,097: On Trial, 4,264: Sabbath 
 Schools, 1,425 : Sabbath Scholars, 41,432 : Attendants 
 on Public Worship, 101,150. With no desire to inflate 
 statistics, with a Scriptural method of making con- 
 verts, with a conscientious method of reckoning them 
 in such a way as many call severe : viz., on the basis of 
 
 F 
 
82 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Christian fellowship, our missionaries make this report 
 out of a native population of about 120,000. Some 
 may say, or think if they do not say, that there is but 
 a thin veneer of religiousness on these, and that if you 
 scratch the skin you will soon find the savage. They 
 who say or think so, think and speak at a distance, and 
 I venture to affirm on the testimony of Christian ladies 
 and gentlemen, well acquainted with Fiji for from ten 
 to five-and-twenty years, that the religion of the Fijian 
 Christian is as vital and thorough a change as Metho- 
 dism everywhere understands conversion to be. 
 
 Mission work is the glory of the Church in this 
 latter half of the 19th century. It has c civilized many 
 nations, destroyed innumerable idols and false gods, 
 unlocked the treasures of useful knowledge, improved 
 the arts, extended science, widened commerce, quick- 
 ened trade, founded hospitals, created schools, broken 
 the rods of oppressors, struck off the chains of slaves, 
 checked the harsh government of rulers and the 
 anarchy of subjects, restored woman to her primitive 
 position, awaked tenderness in the mother and fondness 
 in the father, taught dutif ulness to the child, loyalty to 
 the subject and justice to the ruler, given peace and 
 joy to the home, order and liberty to the state, dignity 
 and glory to nations, and eternal life to a multitude 
 that no man can number out of all nations and kin- 
 dreds, tribes and tongues.' The fascination of the story 
 of Fiji is not diminished, but rather much increased by 
 
VI W A. 83 
 
 personal observation of what has been and is being 
 done. Our mission is engaged in a great system of 
 national education, preparing teachers and catechists 
 at the circuit institutions for the village schools and 
 Churches. There are reported (1887) Day Schools, 
 1,765: Teachers, 2,526: Day Scholars, 40,718. No 
 help is received from the government. . Even the 
 students and teachers, except at Navuloa, have to pay 
 the taxes, from which, considering their work, they 
 might very reasonably have been exempted. 
 
 A gentleman in England some years ago very 
 thoughtfully and kindly presented a printing press to 
 our Fijian Mission. It is at Yiwa, under the manage- 
 ment of Mr. Small, who has taught two or three lads 
 to set up type, and thus considerable expense is saved 
 to our mission funds. 
 
 A.nd now come with me to a hallowed spot at the 
 rear of the Viwa church. Precious dust is there. 
 John Hunt, William Polglase, Joeli Bulu and others of 
 the sainted dead await the resurrection of the just. 
 From a plain iron tablet at the head of one grave, I 
 read the simple but sublime record: — 
 
 JOHN" HUNT 
 
 slept in jesus, 
 Oct. 4th, 1843. 
 
 Aged 36 years. 
 
 r 2 
 
84 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 By his side, and worthy of the place, rests Joeli 
 Bulu. On the stone at the head of Joeli's grave are 
 these words : — 
 
 • Sai vakananumi kei Joeli Bulu, sa 
 
 MATE MAI Bau, Me 7, 1877.' 
 
 with Col. i. 7, and Rev. xiv. 13, in Fijian. 
 
 ' In remembrance of Joeli Bulu, who died 
 at Bau, May 7, 1877.' 
 
 Surely an inspiration must come to the preacher in his 
 pulpit as he thinks that just at his back, within a few 
 feet, lies all that is mortal of such men. They being 
 dead yet speak. I heard them speak in the bright and 
 early calmness of a lovely Sabbath morning, when, 
 alone, I stood amongst the graves, and read the records. 
 This was their message : — 
 
 i Go labour on, while it is day, 
 
 The world's dark night is hastening on : 
 Speed, speed thy work, cast sloth away, 
 
 It is not thus that souls are won. 
 Men die in darkness at your side, 
 
 Without a hope to cheer the tomb : 
 Take up the torch, and wave it wide, 
 
 The torch that lights time's thickest gloom.' 
 
 And so I prayed, as have many others, that I might be 
 1 baptized for the dead.' And when we sang the praises 
 
VI W A. 85 
 
 of God in the little sanctuary, I thought the spirits of 
 these 'just men made perfect ' were of the congrega- 
 tion, and, as on the holy mount, the transfigured Christ 
 was in our midst. 
 
 John Hunt was born near Lincoln in the year 1812. 
 When about seventeen he heard John Smith preach, 
 and was saved. Who will dare to say that he was not 
 in the true ' apostolic succession ? ' While yet a youth, 
 he wrote these words : ' I see, to be useful as a public 
 speaker, I must be eminent as a private Christian. 
 When his name was placed on the circuit plan as an 
 exhorter, he took the plan to his room and spread it 
 before the Lord. The Christian ministry was in course 
 of time suggested to him as his sphere, but he shrank 
 from the thought, and in his humility stated that he 
 had an ' ambition to go to the Cape, as a servant to 
 Laidman Hodgson, the missionary.' When a strong 
 cry reached England from the South Pacific, ' Pity 
 poor Fiji,' the hearts of many were touched, and John 
 Hunt and James Calvert received their commission to 
 go out to the help of the Lord against the mighty. 
 There were three things laid upon his heart — (1). The 
 conversion of the Fijians to Christianity, not in name 
 only but in power : (2). The translation of the Scrip- 
 tures into their language : (3). The revival of Christ- 
 ian holiness at home. Did he not see the desert re- 
 joice and blossom as the rose ? Did not his hand give 
 to the Fijians the New Testament in their own tongue ? 
 
85 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 And who can estimate the influence of his * Letters on 
 Entire Sanctification,' as well as of his life and minis- 
 try, on the revival of Christian holiness ? John Hunt, 
 dying at thirty- six, had lived long, for he had lived 
 well. As he lay dying at Yiwa, he said, to his brother 
 missionary, ■ Let me go, a heap of inconsistencies, back- 
 slidings, and unfaithfulness. Let me go — as I trust I 
 shall through Divine mercy alone, for I have nothing 
 at all in myself — to heaven.' 
 
 How he cried in his last illness, ' Lord, bless Fiji ! 
 save Fiji ! Thou knowest my soul has loved Fiji ! My 
 heart has travailed in pain for Fiji ! ' '0, let me pray 
 once more for Fiji ! Lord, for Christ's sake, bless 
 Fiji ! save Fiji ! save Thy servants, save Thy people, 
 save the heathen in Fiji ! ' And it is recorded that 
 Elijah Verani cried aloud, l Lord, we know we are 
 very bad : but spare Thy servant. If one must die, 
 take me ! Take ten of us ! But spare Thy servant to 
 preach Christ to the people ! ' But John Hunt's work 
 was done, he * slept in Jesus,' and his name is still as 
 ointment poured forth. 
 
 Joeli Bulu was born at Yavau in the Friendly 
 Islands. When he heard the Christian teachers ex- 
 horting the people to forsake their idols and turn to the 
 living God, he was very angry. But by-and-bye his 
 heart was drawn out in prayer, and he said, ' I will 
 lotu (accept Christianity), that I may live among the 
 stars.' 
 
VIWA. 87 
 
 He was as 
 
 1 An infant crying in the night : 
 An infant crying for the light : 
 And with no language but a cry,' 
 
 Ere long light filled his understanding, and love 
 ruled in his heart. Hearing one of the missionaries 
 relate his experience of repentance, Joeli said, ' We are 
 like two canoes sailing bow and bow, neither being 
 swifter nor slower than the other.' When the mis- 
 sionary told of his faith in Christ, Joeli cried out, ' My 
 mast is broken, my sail is blown away : he is gone 
 clear out of my sight, and I am left here drifting help- 
 lessly over the waves.' Yet then did he believe also 
 and rejoice, for he saw the way of salvation. After a 
 while he sailed to Fiji to help the white teachers, and 
 amid the appalling scenes of those days, when the 
 heathen raged and the people imagined vain things, 
 saw marvellous deliverances and wonderful displays of 
 Divine grace. He was a child in spirit, a man in 
 prayer, an apostle in zeal and courage, and is now 
 amongst the saints of God who shine as the stars for 
 ever and ever. 
 
 It has not been my purpose to speak of the work 
 that other Churches are doing in Fiji. The Episcopa 
 lians and Presbyterians are ministering to the Euro- 
 peans in Suva and Levuka, and Roman Catholicism 
 claims eight thousand native adherents. I studied 
 
88 RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 Wesleyan Methodism in the islands, and here faithfully 
 report what I saw and heard. Two or three circuits I 
 could not visit on account of distance and irregularity 
 of communication. This is my conclusion, that Christ- 
 ianity is divine. 
 
 I know of no more delightful tour that could he 
 made than one in the South Pacific Archipelago, at the 
 right season of the year. For the lover of nature there 
 are all the elements of surpassing interest and delight- 
 ful satisfaction. The rocks and reefs invite the geolo- 
 gist. In the multitude of islands and islets we have 
 fragments which are surely but remnants of a vast con- 
 tinent, torn asunder by the giant forces of nature^ 
 which, in parts, as in Tonga, are still more or less 
 active. The gorgeous flowers, the luscious fruits, the 
 leafy shrubs, the wonderful trees, all the luxuriant 
 vegetation of transcendent beauty in the mighty jungle, 
 invite the botanist. The people themselves, their phy- 
 sical formation, their customs, their language, which is 
 so euphonious that it has been said : — 
 
 1 It melts like kisses from a female mouth, 
 And sounds as if it should be writ on satin,' 
 
 invite the ethnologist. Here are studies for the politi- 
 cian and philanthropist. The moral condition of the 
 people, as contrasted with the past, will evoke the live- 
 liest gratitude from every lover of mankind. Let him 
 go to Fiji, who is wearied either with labour or the 
 
VIWA. So 
 
 monotony of his easy life, and if he keep his eyes open, 
 he will see so much to surprise him in mount and 
 stream and sea, so much in the homes and churches 
 and villages of the people, that there will be born in 
 him a new interest in nature and humanity. 
 
 .And Fiji is now a part of that grand empire to 
 which Australia also belongs. ' The spirit of the 
 English constitution infused through the mighty mass 
 shall pervade, vivify, unite, and invigorate every part. 
 The federation of our empire lies waiting for a master 
 mind to frame, and a master hand to accomplish. 
 
 1 Britain's myriad voices call, 
 Sons, be welded one and all 
 Into one imperial whole. 
 One with Britain, heart and soul — 
 One life, one flag, one fleet, one throne : 
 Britons, hold your own — 
 And God guard all.' 
 
 And now, having seen with glad eyes the fulfilment of 
 Zechariah's prophecy, ' He shall speak peace unto the 
 heathen,' I must again become one of those 
 
 1 That go down to the sea in ships, that do business 
 in great waters : 
 
 1 These see the works of the Lord, and His won- 
 ders in the deep. 
 
 'For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, 
 which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
 
 1 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again 
 
go RECENT WANDERINGS IN FIJI. 
 
 to the depths : their soul is melted because of trouble. 
 
 ' They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken 
 man, and are at their wit's end. 
 
 1 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and 
 He bringeth them out of their distresses. 
 
 6 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves 
 thereof are still. 
 
 1 Then are they glad because they be quiet : so He 
 bringeth them unto their desired haven. 
 
 ' Oh that men would praise the Lord for His good- 
 ness, and for His wonderful works to the children of 
 men ! ' — Psalm cvii. 23 — 31. 
 
 *m 
 
 HAYMAN BROTHERS AND LILLY, 113, FARIUNGPON FOAH, E.C 
 
PUBLISHED BY 
 
 T.WOOLMER, 2 , CASTLE STREET, C ITY ROAD, E.C. 
 
 Life of Jabez Bunting, D.D. By T. Percival Bunting 
 
 and Rev. G. Stringer Rowe. 8vo, with Two Portraits. 10/6. 
 PRICE FIVE SHILLINGS. 
 Sermons and Addresses : Chiefly Official. By Dr. Young. 
 
 Demy 8vo. 
 
 The Light of the World : Lessons from the Life of Our Lord for 
 Children. By the Rev. Richard Newton, D.D. Fcap. 4to. Numerous 111. 
 'A most attractive and deeply interesting Sunday book for children.' 
 
 A Comparative View of Church Organizations, Primitive 
 and Protestant. By the Rev. Dr. Rigg. Demy 8vo. 
 
 Loving Counsels : Sermons and Addresses. By Rev. Charles 
 
 Garrett. Post 8vo, with Portrait. 
 Gems Reset; or, The Revised Wesleyan Catechisms Illustrated 
 by Imagery and Narrative. By Rev. B. Smith. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Tales and Poems of South India. By Rev. E. J. Robinson. 
 
 Crown 8vo. 
 
 American Methodism, A Compendious History of. By 
 
 Abel Stevens, LL.D. Crown 8vo, with Portraits. 
 Toward the Sunrise: being Sketches of Travel in Europe 
 and the East. To which is added a Memorial Sketch (with Portrait) of the 
 Rev. W. Morley Punshon, LL.D. By Hugh Johnston, M.A., B.D. 
 Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 Fiji and the Fijians ; and Missionary Labours among the 
 
 Cannibals. Sixth Thousand. Revised and Supplemented with Index. By 
 Rev. James Calvert. Crown 8vo, with Portrait of Thakombau, a Map, 
 and numerous Illustrations. 
 
 PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS. 
 
 Zoology of the Bible. By Harland Coultas. Preface 
 
 by the Rev. W. F. Moulton, D.D. Imperial i6mo. 126 Illustrations. 
 
 Missionary Anecdotes, Sketches, Facts, and Incidents. 
 
 By the Rev. William Moister. Imperial i6mo. Eight Page Illustration' . 
 The Brotherhood of Men ; or, Christian Sociology. By Rev. 
 
 W. Unsworth. 
 
 PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. 
 W. O. Simpson : Methodist Minister and Missionary. 
 
 Early Life and Life in the Home Work by Rev. S. Wray; Mission Life by 
 Rev. R. Stephenson, B.A. Edited by Rev. Joseph Bush. With Portrait. 
 Consecrated Culture. Memorials of Benjamin Alfred Gregory, 
 M.A. By the Rev. Dr. Gregory. Crown 8vo, with Portrait. 
 
 Sermons by the Rev. W. MORLEY PUNSHON, LL.D. Two 
 
 Volumes. Crown 8vo. 3/6 each. 
 
 Lectures by the Rev. W. MORLEY PUNSHON, LL.D. 
 
 Crown 8vo. 6,000. 
 
STANDARD AND POPULAR WORKS. 
 
 PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE {Continued). 
 
 A Harmony of the Gospels in the Revised Version. 
 Arranged by S. D. Waddy, Esq. Ciown 8vo. 
 
 A Manual of Christian Doctrine. By the Rev. J. S. Banks. 
 
 Crown 8vo. 
 
 The Story of my Life and Missionary Labours. By the 
 
 Rev. W. Moister. Crown 8vo, with Portrait. 
 Recollections of my Life and Work at Home and Abroad 
 
 in connection with the VVtsleyan Methodist Conference. By William 
 Harris Rule, D.D., with Portrait. 
 
 Our Indian Empire : its Rise and Growth. By the Rev. 
 
 J. Shaw Banks. Imperial i6mo. Thirty-five Illustrations and Map. 
 Northern Lights; or, Pen and Pencil Sketches of Twenty-one 
 
 Modern Scottish Worthies. By Rev. J. Marrat. Third Edition, enlarged. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Portraits and Illustrations. 
 Our Sea-Girt Isle: English Scenes and Scenery Delineated. 
 
 By the Rev. J. Marrat. Imperial i6mo. Map and 153 Illustrations. 
 
 Rambles in Bible Lands, By the Rev. Richard Newton, 
 
 D.D. Imperial i6mo. Seventy Illustrations. 
 1 Land of the Mountain and the Flood ' : Scottish Scenes 
 
 and Scenery Delineated. By the Rev. Jabez Marrat. Imperial i6mo. 
 
 Map and Seventy-six Illustrations. 
 Popery and Patronage. Biographical Illustrations of Scotch 
 
 Church History. By the Rev. J. Marrat. Imperial i6mo. Ten Illustrations 
 ' Most instructive biographical narratives.' — Derbyshire Courier. 
 
 Wycliffe to Wesley : Heroes and Martyrs of the Church in 
 Britain. Imperial i6mo. Twenty-four Portraits and Forty other Illustrations. 
 
 John Lyon; or, From the Depths. By Ruth Elliott. 
 
 Seventh Thousand- Crown 8vo. Five Full-page Illustrations. 
 
 • Earnest and eloquent, dramatic in treatment, and thoroughly healthy in 
 spirit.' — Birmingham Daily Gazette. 
 
 The Thorough Business Man : Memoir of Walter Powell, 
 Merchant. By Rev. B. Gregory. Eighth Edition. Crn. 8vo, with Portrait. 
 
 The Life of Gideon Ouseley. By the Rev. William 
 
 Arthur, M.A. Ninth Thousand. Crown 8vo, with Portrait. 
 
 The Aggressive Character of Christianity. By Rev. W. 
 Unsworth. 
 
 Simon Holmes, the Carpenter of Aspendale. By J. Jack- 
 son Wray. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Garton Rowley; or, Leaves from the Log of a Master 
 
 Mariner. By J. Jackson Wray. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Honest John Stallibrass. By J. Jackson Wray. Crown 8 vo 
 A Man Every Inch of Him. By J. Jackson Wray. Crn. 8vo. 
 Paul Meggitt's Delusion. By J.Jackson Wray. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Nestleton Magna. A Story of Yorkshire Methodism. By J. 
 
 Jackson Wray. Crown 8vo. 
 Chronicles of Capstan Cabin; or, the Children's Hour. By 
 
 J. Jackson Wray. Imperial i6mo. Twenty-eight Illustrations. 
 
 Scenes and Adventures in Great Namaqualand. By the 
 Rev. B. Ridsdale. Crown 8vo, with Portrait. 
 
PUBLISHED BY T. WOOLMER. 
 
 PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE {Continued.) 
 
 Missionary Stories, Narratives, Scenes, and Incidents. 
 
 By the Rev. W. Moistkr. Crown 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 Vice-Royalty ; or, a Royal Domain held for the King, and 
 
 enriched by the King. Crown 8 vo. Twelve page Illustns. By Rev. B. Smith. 
 
 Sunshine in the Kitchen; or, Chapters for Maid Servants. 
 
 Fourth Thousand. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. By Rev. B. Smith. 
 Way-Marks : Placed by Royal Authority on the King's 
 
 H ighway. Being One Hundred Scripture Proverbs, Enforced and Illustrated. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Eight Page Engravings. By Rev. B. Smith. 
 
 The Great Army of London Poor. Sketches of Life and 
 
 Character in a Thames-side District. By the River-side Visitor. Third 
 Edition. Crown 8vo. 540 pp. Eight Illustrations. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. 
 
 1 Sunny Fountains' and ' Golden Sand.* Pictures of M ; s- 
 sionary Life in the South of the *' Dark Continent.'' By Arthur Brigg. 
 Crown 8vo. Illustrations. 
 
 Roger Haigh, Chartermaster. By Mrs. R. A. Watson, 
 
 Author of ' Buildir.g her House,' etc. Frontispiece. 
 
 Elias Power, of Ease-in-Zion. By Rev. John M. Bamford. 
 
 13,000. Crown 8vo. Seventeen Illustrations. Gilt edges. 
 
 John Conscience, of Kingseal. By Rev. J. M. Bamford, 
 
 Author of ' Elias Power.' 5,000. Crown 8 vo. 17 Illustrations, gilt edges. 
 
 Father Fervent. By John M. Bamford. Crown 8vo, gilt 
 
 edges. 3,000. Eighteen Illustrations. 
 
 General Gordon-. Hero and Saint. By A. E Keelinc. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Portrait and Eight Illustrations. 
 
 Uncle Jonathan's Walks in and Around London. Foolscap 
 
 4to. Profusely Illustrated. 
 
 Purity and Power. By C. R. Parsons, Author of * The Man 
 
 with the White Hat.' Crown 8vo. Red edges. 
 
 Nature Musings for Holy-Days and Holidays. By Rev. N. 
 
 Curnock, with Introduction by Dr, Dallinger. Crown 8vo. 41 Illustr. 
 
 My Mission Garden. By Rev. S. Langdon, Author of 
 
 •' Punchi Nona." Crown 8vo. Numerous Illu trations. 
 The Man with the White Hat; or, The Story of an Unknown 
 Mission. By C. R. Parsons. 7,000. Crown 8vo. 21 Illustrations. Gilt edges. 
 
 The Opposite House ; and other Stories for Cottage 
 
 Homes. By A. Frances Perram. 
 Fifty Years of Mission-Life in South Africa. By the Rev. 
 
 John Edwards. Second Edition, with Portrait. Crown 8vo. 
 The Hallam Succession. A Story of Methodist Life in Two 
 Countries. By A. E. Barr. Crown 8vo. Frontispiece. 
 
 Fought and Won. A Story of School Life. By Ruth 
 
 Elliott. 3,000. Crown 8vo, with Frontispiece. 
 
 1 Than Many Sparrows.' By Annie E. Courtenay, Author 
 
 of ' Tina and Beth.' Crown 8vo, with Frontispiece. 
 
 Good News for Children; or, God's Love to the Little 
 Ones. By John Colwell. Crown 8vo, gilt edges. Fourteen Illustrations. 
 
 Life of John Wicklif. By Rev. W. L. Watkinson. Portrait 
 
 and Eleven Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Little Abe ; or, the Bishop of Berry Brow. Being the Life of 
 Abraham Lockwood. By F. Jewkll. Crown 8vo, gilt edges. With Portrait 
 
STANDARD AND POPULAR WORKS 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE {Continued.) 
 Cecily : a Tale of the English Reformation. By Emma Leslie. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Five full-page Illustrations. 
 
 History of the English Bible. By Dr. Moulton. New 
 
 and Revised Edition. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Glimpses of India and Mission Life. By Mrs. Hutcheon. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 
 The Secret of the Mere ; or, Under the Surface. By 
 
 J. Jackson Wrav. 
 The Beloved Prince : a Memoir of His Royal Highness, the 
 
 Prince Consort. By William Nichols. Crown 8vo. With Portrait and 
 
 Nineteen Illustrations. Cloth, gilt edges. 
 
 Glenwood : a Story of School Life. By Julia K. Bloom- 
 field. Crown 8vo. Seven Illustrations. 
 
 Undeceived : Roman or Anglican ? A Story of English 
 Ritualism. By Ruth Elliott. Seventh Thousand. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Self-Culture and Self-Reliance, under God the Means of 
 
 Self- Elevation. By the Rev. W. Unsworth. Crown 8vo. 
 
 A Pledge that Redeemed Itself. By Sarson. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Numerous Illustrations. Gilt edges. 
 
 At Miss Lamblion's. A Story of School Life. By Richard 
 
 Rowe. Crown 8vo. Sixteen Illustrations. 
 
 The Story of a Peninsular Veteran: Sergeant in the 43rd 
 
 Light Infantry during the Peninsular War. Crown 8vo. 13 Illustrations. 
 
 Rays from the Sun of Righteousness. By the Rev. Richard 
 
 Newton, D.D. Crown 8vo. Eleven Illustrations. Gilt edges. 
 In the Tropics; or, Scenes and Incidents of West Indian Life. 
 
 By the Rev. Jabez Marrat. Crown 8vo, gilt edges, Illustrations, etc. 
 Climbing : a Manual for the Young who Desire to Rise in 
 Both Worlds. By the Rev. Benjamin Smith. Crown 8vo. Sixth Edition. 
 
 Our Visit to Rome, with Notes by the Way. By the 
 
 Rev. John Rhodes. Royal i6mo. Forty-five Illustrations. 
 The Lancasters and their Friends. A Tale of Methodist 
 
 Life. By S. J. F. Third Thousand. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Those Boys. By Faye Huntington. Crown 8vo. Illus- 
 trated. 
 
 Leaves from my Log of Twenty-five years' Christian 
 Work in the Port of London. Eighth Thousand. Crown 8vo. Eignt 
 Illustrations. 
 
 East End Pictures ; or, More Leaves from My Log 
 
 of Twenty-five Years' Christian Work. By T. C. Garland. Fouith 
 Thousand. Crown 8vo. Portrait and Five Illustrations. 
 The Willow Pattern : A Story Illustrative of Chinese Social 
 Life. By the Rev. Hilderic Friend. Crown 8vo, gilt edges. Numerous 
 Illustrations. 
 
 Passages from the Diary of an Early Methodist. By 
 
 Richard Rowe. Crown 8vo. 
 Orphans of the Forest ; or, His Little Jonathan, By A. E. 
 
 Courtenay. FoolscaD 8vo. Four Illustrations. 
 
 The Apostles of Fylde Methodism. By J. Taylor. Crown 
 
 8vo. Three Pottraits and Map. 
 
PUBLISHED BY T. WOOLMER. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE {Continued). 
 Life of Rev. Alfred Cookman, with an account of his Father, 
 
 Rev. Geo. G. Cookman. By Dr. Ridgaway. Crown 8vo. 
 Men of Faith ; or, Sketches from the Book of Judges. By 
 Luke H. Wiseman, M.A. Crown 8vo. 
 
 MARK GUY PEARSE'S WORKS. 
 Ten Volumes \ Crown Svo, Cloth, Gilt Edges. Price 2s. 6d. each. 
 
 I. — Daniel Quorm, and his Religious Notions. First 
 
 Series. 84,000. 
 
 2. — Daniel Quorm, and his Religious Notions. Second 
 
 Series. 35,000. 
 3. — Sermons for Children. 24,000. 
 4. — Mister Horn and his Friends; or, Givers and Giving. 
 
 26,000. 
 5. — Short Stories, and other Papers. 11,000. 
 5. — ' Good Will' : a Collection of Christmas Stones. 12,000. 
 7. — Simon Jasper. 17,000. 
 8. — Cornish Stories. 12,000. 
 9. — Homely Talks. 17,000. 
 10.— John Tregenoweth, Rob Rat, and The Old Miller and 
 
 his Mill. 24,000. 
 
 Praise : Meditations in the 103rd Psalm. By Mark Guy 
 
 Pearse. Royal i6mo. Cloth, red edges. 
 
 Thoughts on Holiness. By Mark Guy Pearse. Royal 
 
 i6mo. Cloth, red edges. 
 
 Some Aspects of the Blessed Life. By Mark Guy Pearse. 
 
 Royal i6mo. Cloth, red edges. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS. 
 Avice Tennant's Pilgrimage. A Tale of Bunyan's Days. 
 
 By Kate T. Sizer. Crown 8vo. Six Illustrations 
 
 Fortunes and Misfortunes, and other Stories. By Rev. 
 
 W. H. Booth. Crown 8vo. Five Illustrations. 
 
 Great Britain and Her Queen. By A. E. Keeling. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Profusely Illustrated. Gilt edges. 
 
 Lights of the Western World : Biographical Sketches of 
 Distinguished Americans. By Jabez Marrat. Crown 8vo. Portraits 
 and Illustrations. 
 
 Grannie Tresawna's Story. By Nellie Cornwall. Crown 
 
 8vo. With Frontispiece. 
 
 Castle Mailing : A Yorkshire Story. By A. E. Keeling. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Five Illustrations. 
 
 Andrew Golding : A Story of the Great Plague. By Annie 
 
 E. Keeling. Crown Svo. Three Illustrations. 
 
 The Pride of the Family. By Annie E. Keeling. Crown 
 
 8vo. Five Illustrations. 
 The Oakhurst Chronicles: A Tale of the Times of Wesley. 
 By Annie E. Keeling. Crown 8vo. Four Illustrations. 
 
 Wayside Wisdom ; or, Old Solomon's Ideas of Things. 
 
 By Rev. John Colwell. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 Punchi Nona : A Story of Female Education and Village 
 
 Life in Ceylon. By Rev. S. Langdon. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustns. 
 
 Friends and Neighbours : A Story for Young Children. 
 Crown 8vo. Illustrated, 
 
STANDARD AND POPULAR WORKS 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS (Continued). 
 
 Valeria, the Martyr of the Catacombs. A Tale of Early 
 
 Christian Life in Rome. By Dr. Withrow. Crown 8vo. Illustrations. 
 
 Poet Toilers in Many Fields. By Mrs. R.A.Watson. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Thirteen Illustrations. 
 
 The * Good Luck ■ of the Maitlands : a Family Chronicle. 
 
 By Mrs. R. A. Watson. Five Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 
 Wilfred Hedley; 01, How Teetotalism Came to Ellensmere. 
 By S. J. Fitzgerald. Crown 8vo. Frontispiece. 
 
 Master and Man. By S. J. Fitzgerald. Frontispiece. 
 Equally Yoked: and other Stories. By S. J. Fitzgerald. 
 
 Frontispiece. 
 
 Coals and Colliers ; or, How we Get the Fuel for our Fires. 
 
 By S. J. Fitzgerald. Crown 8vo. Illustrations. 
 Tina and Beth; or, the Night Pilgrims. By Annie 
 
 E. Courtenay. Crown 8vo. Frontispiece. 
 
 James Daryll ; or, From Honest Doubt to Christian Faith. 
 By Ruth Elliott. Crown 8vo. 7000. 
 
 • We have seldom read a more beautiful story than this.' — The Echo, 
 
 The King's Messenger : a Story of Canadian Life. By the 
 Rev. W. H. Withrow, M.A. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Illustrations of Fulfilled Prophecy. By the Rev. J. Robinson 
 
 Gregory. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 The Basket of Flowers. Illustrated. Crown 8vo, gilt edges. 
 
 The Dairyman's Daughter. Crown 8vo, gilt edges. 
 
 The Great Apostle; or, Pictures from the Life of St. Paul. 
 
 By the Rev. Jabkz Marrat. Foolscap 8vo. 28 Illustrations and Map. 
 Sir Walter Raleigh: Pioneer of Anglo-American Colonisation. 
 
 By Charles K. True, D.D. Foolscap 8vo. 16 Illustrations. 
 Homes and Home Life in Bible Lands. By J. R. S. 
 
 Clifford. Foolscap 8vo. Eighty Illustrations. 
 
 * A useful little volume respecting the manners and customs of Eastern 
 nations. It brings together, in a small compass, much that will be of service 
 to the young student of the Bible.' — Watchman. 
 
 Hid Treasures, and the Search for Them : Lectures to 
 
 Bible Classes. By the Rev. J. Hartley. Foolscap 8vo. With Frontispiece. 
 
 Youthful Obligations. Illustrated by a large number of Appro- 
 priate Facts and Anecdotes. Foolscap 8vo. With Illustrations. 
 
 Eminent Christian Philanthropists : Brief Biographical 
 
 Sketches, designed especially as Studies for the Young. By the Rev. 
 George Maunder. Fcap. 8vo. Nine Illustrations. 
 The Tower, the Temple, and the Minster: Historical and 
 
 Biographical Associations of the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, 
 and Westminpter Abbey. By the Rev. J. W. Thomas. Second Edition. 
 Foolscap 8vo. 14 Illustrations. 
 
 Peter Pengelly; or, ■ True as the Clock.* By J. J. Wray. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Forty Illustrations. 
 
 ' A famous book for boys.'— The Christian. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 T. WOOLMER, 2, CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C., 
 
 AND 66, PATERNOSTER ROW, B.C. 
 
GENERAL LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA—BERKELEY 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the 
 
 date to which renewed. 
 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 J 01954 m 
 
 #MPR 2 - f«68 
 
 mzi M . & 
 
 ,D 21-100m-l,'54(1887sl6)476 
 
YB 293V4 
 
 IHHH'BHIV'MH'BBHMMHPHBH 
 
 I553J 0300