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 The Story of Fiji. 
 
 M'S.' 
 
 REV. JAMES CALVERT. 
 
 ->•>* a □ D □ □ a- _p 3Vf . ' ^ _9 D D D D O c <• ■<• 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/storyoffijihowfiOOcalv 
 
The Stoky of Fiji 
 
 AS TOLD BY 
 
 / 
 
 R1:V. jAMHS CALVHRIV 
 
 'X' li e C' o - L a Ji o !• e !• ol' Rev. .Toliii Hunt, 
 
 HOW FIJI WAS LIFTKD FROM CAXNIBALISJI TO CHRISTIAN 
 CIVILIZATION. 
 
 Truth Strinif/er than Fiction. 
 
 CHICAGO, ILL.: 
 
 R. R. McCabe & Co., Printers, 68 Wabash .Avenue. 
 1887. 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHKISTIAN. 
 
 DISCOVERY. 
 
 Tlie Fiji Islands were discovered first by Tas- 
 man. the Dutch navigator, [ in BiJJ]. two hundred 
 and forty years ago. Nearly one hundred and thirty 
 years after that [in 1772] CajJain Cook lay-tt) off 
 Vatoa. t>r Turtle Island, as he ]>assed from the 
 Friendly to the Sandwich Islands, where he was 
 murdered. Captain Bligh. in his launch, after the 
 meeting and cajiture of the ••Bounty " by those who 
 became kiawn as the Pitcairn Islanders, the prin- 
 cipal part of wliose successors now occupy NtU'folk 
 Island. ])assed through a ]>art of the Fijis in 178J, 
 as he did again three years afterward in the "Provi- 
 dence. " And ('aptain AVilson in I7bb. in the London 
 mission ship, the ••Duff," had narrow escai>es from 
 wreck among the numerous and intricate reefs. ' But 
 still very little was known of Fiji and its inhabitants 
 beyond the much-dreaded fact, that the j)eople were 
 terrible cannibals. 
 
 About the year 1804 several convicts escaped 
 from Australia, who reached and settled in the 
 Islands; some of whom gained notoriety and much 
 influence where they resided, mainly with the chiefs 
 of Heivn and Bait, the two leading places in the 
 group. 
 
 In 1>500, trading vessels began to visit the 
 
4 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 islands, mainly to obtain sandal-wood to burn as 
 incense in the temples of China, hccltr-de-iitcr ctr 
 frcpaiif), a sea slug used to make soiip for the Celes- 
 tials. and tortoise-shell; but trading in those days 
 was yery limited. Perils alxmnded eyerywhere. from 
 the people and from the most dangerous nayigation. 
 for which there was no reliable chart preyious to the 
 careful and elaborate suryeys made by the American 
 and English goyernments after missionaries were 
 settled in Fiji. 
 
 THE ISLANDS. 
 
 The grou}) is large, consisting of two hundred 
 and twenty islands and islets, eighty of which are 
 inhabited, and yary greatly in size, some being \'ery 
 small. The two largest — Vautm’ Lcvu,"' and 
 ‘dVo ]'ifi Leni " — ‘‘Large Land” and “Large Fiji” 
 — are each ninety miles long and from twenty to 
 fifty broad. The whole area of the grou[) extends 
 from lb° to 21° south latitude, and the longitude, on 
 the same parallel as Greenwich, is three degrees east 
 and two west — or about three hiindred miles in lati- 
 tude and longitiide. “ A line drawn round the 
 extremity of the colony would describe a figure of 
 which the shortest diameter would be oyer two 
 humb’ed and sixty miles in length, the largest three 
 huncb'ed and seyenty. The aggregate area of the 
 whole is seyen million acres, greater than that of all 
 the “West India Islands.” Fiji is situated eighteen 
 hundred miles northeast of Sidney, and twelye hun- 
 dred miles off Aulkland, New Zealand. The popula- 
 tion was reckoned at one hundred and fifty thousand 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 0 
 
 before the king’s return fi’om Sydney after the 
 cession of the islands to England, when measles were 
 introduced, which swept away perhaps oiie-fourth of 
 their number. The counti’y is well watered, having 
 many springs and streams and rivers of fair size on 
 the largest islands, and the rainfall is abundant all 
 the vear round. The trade winds are refreshine:. and 
 bring moisture which the numerous Tuountains con- 
 <lense into fruitful showers. Near the large islands 
 an invigorating and cooling land-breeze prevails, 
 blowintr from evenintj iintil moruiiiiif. when it is met 
 and driven back by the trade wind. So that, while 
 tlie tro])ical heat eneiwates and tries the European, 
 he does not find the climate to be especiallv 
 unhealthy, and Fiji has been said to be the best 
 tropical climate ever found. The tem})erature 
 ranges from t‘)o° to *.I7° in the shade; and the 
 lenjftli of the davs varies onh" two lumrs and eijjht 
 minutes. 
 
 PRODl’CTIONS. 
 
 The islands are well wooded. On some of them 
 is an abundance of suj)erior kinds of wood, suitable 
 for building ]uir})oses and furniture, and for the 
 masts and yards of canoes. Tlie soil is good and 
 prolific, and easily irrigated for those roots which 
 retpiire water. The [uoductions are varied, excellent 
 and abundant, and are easily obtained. Yams, 
 bananas, bread-fruit, and cocoaimts are the stajde 
 vegetable food of the country. The yam. of mam* 
 species, is ])lanted in hillocks with the ground dug 
 aiid softened underneath ; it grows from a sj)an to six 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AXD CHIUSTIAX. 
 
 C) 
 
 feet ill leiigtli. ami takes the place, iu Fiji, of the 
 potatoe ill Europe and elsewhere, and is equally good 
 when boiled, liaked. or liroiled. So important is the 
 yam that the seasons of its cultivation, groirth. and 
 maturity are the chief foundation of the Fijian 
 Kalendar: one month or moon having the name for 
 the time when the ground is cleared, another for 
 digging the hole and jdanting. another for fixing the 
 reeds for the s})routs to cliinli on. another for otter- 
 ing the first fruits to their ijods. and another for the 
 time when the yams are dug up and stored. 
 
 The iidaJo. or faro, is an esculent root of immense 
 A'aliie. groini from the toj)s. one kind grown on ih'y 
 groiuid and another on irrigation. It is very excel- 
 lent as a vegetable, boiled or baked or roasted, hot 
 or cold. It is also pounded, after being c<x)ked. or 
 ground on a rough tree or brain coral, to make very 
 superior puddings. The largest I ever saw was one 
 of nineteen offered to the gods. It measiu’ed twenty- 
 one feet round, and was lioiind up neatly in banana 
 leaves. Generally puddings are made about the size 
 of a melon, neatly enclosed and tied up in green 
 banana leaves and smoked. These, with sweet sauce 
 made from the scra])ed pulp of the cocoanut and the 
 juice of the sugar cane, well boiled together, are 
 most delicious. Bananas of many kinds are very 
 valuable as a vegetable, and excellent as a fruit, and 
 also of great use as bread when food is scarce. 
 Bananas are now exported to New Zealand. In IsTb. 
 forty -three thousand, sixty-two biinches were sent, 
 the quantity increasing immensely each year. The 
 bread-fr’uit is invalualile. produced s|X)ntaneously 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 7 
 
 and requiring no toil. There are various kinds, and 
 tlie trees yield several crops each year. It is eaten 
 as a vegetable, and is used for puddings, and to make 
 bread to be hoarded up for times of scarcity; and is 
 also fre(][uently sent where food is not easily obtained, 
 to distant rocky islands to which the owners cling to 
 their own hurt, that they may kee[) their own free- 
 hold ju'operty, though t>f (juestionable value. The 
 cocoanut is a real treasure, serving a great variety of 
 purposes. The trunk of the tree, which sometimes 
 reaches fifty feet in height, is used for the l)eams, 
 posts, rafters and tie-beams of houses; the leaves for 
 tlie thatch, sides, and inner partitions of houses and 
 for baskets, mats and fans; the milk for a delicious 
 beverage — not ecpialed by ginger-pop or lemonade or 
 zoedone. It also serves for food, is excellent for 
 fattening pigs, and yields valuable oil. The kernel 
 is (bled and ex])oi’ted as coppra, to be pres.sed and 
 s(]ueezed by machinery for oil. Beyond these lead- 
 ing articles, the kairai, sweet ]>otatoe, sugar cane, 
 arrow-root, fruit, and nuts of inany kinds and sizes 
 are very helpful in meeting the wants and comforts 
 of all ages and all classes. Tobacco, a ver^' (|ues- 
 ticmable article, has long been known there, and used 
 by men, iromrii and chihlrrii, but not abused to the 
 same extent as it is among wiser people. 
 
 ^’aluable articles have now been introduced, and 
 tind a new home in that tro[)ical s(jil — such as cotton, 
 coffee, cocoa, tea, rice, spices, and Indian corn or 
 maize; and sugar is now made for home use and for 
 export. The cotton grown in Fiji stood well formerlv 
 in the Liverpool market; and one estate, the island 
 
8 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 of Mango, lately sold for one hundi-ed thousand 
 })ounds sterling, is noted for the production of the 
 fine silky Sea Island cotton, which is supplied direct 
 to the continent of Europe, and gains a high price, 
 having l^een found to mix with and help silk beyond 
 any class of cotton from any other country. While 
 originally no (quadruped was knovni in Fiji beyond 
 the field mouse, an admii-able supply of food was 
 easily obtained of whatever is found in the seas and 
 rivers, and on the flats, sands, and reefs. The people 
 gained a fair supply of sea. shell, and river fish of all 
 sizes and qualities, green and shell turtles, crabs, 
 lobsters, pravms, and shrimps. For a centurA' they 
 have had pigs. foAvls. and ducks; and now sheep, 
 cattle, horses, goats, turkeys, jjeacocks, geese, etc., 
 have been introduced, and some machinery and steam 
 to facilitate and lessen labor. 
 
 INDUSTRY ,\ND TACT. 
 
 Few iiatiA'es. in their unciAnlized state, in any 
 part of the Avorld. can surpass the Fijians in industry, 
 tact, and cleverness. This is seen in the manage- 
 ment of their affairs, in their agriculture, in their 
 buildiim of houses and of canoes, on Avhich we might 
 dAvell Avith interest ; and in their spear and club and 
 boat making. Ea’Cii before they had any edge tools, 
 Avith the use of stone axes, aided by fii’e — and that 
 obtained by friction — their workmanship was most 
 creditable, indeed very surprising. Their crockery, 
 said to have been suggested by the clay-nests of the 
 mason-bee. though rude, is A*ery useful for holding 
 and carrying Avater. for cooking pots and di'inking 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AXD CHHISTIAX. 
 
 If 
 
 vessels, and it is a peculiarity, not being found in 
 most other South Sea islands. A great variety of 
 useful articles are made, worthy of notice and 
 description, on which we cannot linger, such as 
 superior fishing nets of all meshes and widths and 
 lengths, adapted to their fishing waters, and to the 
 fish they have to secure. Immense quantities of 
 cloth are made from the hark of the paj)er mulberry, 
 for dresses, coverlids. mos(juito curtains of all sizes, 
 ( an essential there for those who desire sleep ) , neatly 
 printed and ornamental as well as useful; mats of 
 all sizes and plait and siibstance: sinnet platted from 
 the fibre of the cocoanut husk is of great value for 
 lashing canoes, houses and fences, wooden and clay 
 bowls, etc. The country is prolific and of large 
 extent; the people ai-e well-formed, free from the 
 thick lip and curly hair of the negro. All work, both 
 men and women, begiiining their duties with earlv 
 dawn ; they stick to their toil and make the best of 
 their position. The men are first-rate sailors; the 
 women excel in some kinds of fishinir. in the makiiiir 
 of cloth, mats, and fishiim nets, and in cookinjr 
 in-doors; while men do man’s work generally, and 
 hea^w oiit-door cooking on a lai’ge scale for special 
 occasions in ovens dug in tlie earth. Avhich ansAver 
 remarkably well. 
 
 The people are not stingy in sparing time to 
 enjoy themselves at feasts, and dances and games, 
 Avhen their full day’s work is doiie. 
 
 Visitors were astonished and pleased at the 
 size and superiority of the [)rincipal houses, loftv and 
 of considerable length and Avidth, AA'ith A’eiw neat 
 
1 (» 
 
 FI.//: CAWWA/. AXI) CHIi/STIAX. 
 
 reed fences seven feet liigh, and thatched securely 
 and heautifully with tlie leaves of the panda nut^, and 
 all the main timbers and beams inside wraj)])ed with 
 sinnet in varioiis ])atterns and colors; at their canoes 
 of all sizes, single and doiible, some of which are one 
 hundred and thirty feet in length, with immense sails 
 made of matting platted for the })urpose; at the rolls 
 and balls of sinnet neatly done up, the largest I ever 
 saw being seven feet high and twelve feet in circum- 
 ference. 
 
 Visitors were surprised also at the variety of 
 articles which afforded proofs of well-being and com- 
 fort. Such a people, in a country so good, where 
 (j^uantities of food grow spontaneously, and where 
 both sexes and all classes and ages are industrious, 
 are placed in easy and well-to-do circumstances, 
 ^.Qmparatively rich. 
 
 THEIR ABOMINABLE PRACTICES. 
 
 But this fine race, well off and advantageously 
 placed, had in all }>ast ages been left to themselves, 
 and to the undisturlied control of demon spirits, and 
 so became as vile and cruel as human beings could 
 possibly become — ‘‘being filled with all unrighteous- 
 ness. wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of 
 envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity." The spe- 
 cial forms of prominent and deplorable evils among 
 them were; polygamy — a ju'egnant soiu’ce of ut- 
 most disorder and woes ; infanticide ; strangling ; 
 burying alive the sick and the infirm ( in love, for- 
 sooth ! ) ; murder, war, and cruelty ; and in cannibal- 
 ism it is believed that they surpassed the ^sew Zeal- 
 
FIJI: CAXSIBAL AND CHRISTIAS. 
 
 11 
 
 anders, or any other people. Geiierally. the tlesh 
 of enemies only was eaten, and that in revenge; hut 
 there were cases where that was preferred, as in the 
 renowned Ra Uncbeiinch-e. who relished human flesh 
 intensely, gloried in his shame, and kejfl count by 
 ])lacing a large stone in a line for each of eight hun- 
 <lred and seventy-two persons of whom he partook 
 after he became a man. They had a well-deflned 
 and organized system of worship. 
 
 Ndengei was to them the fathet and originator of 
 all gods and of all men. who u])held the world, and 
 who caused eaidliquakes lyA' turning himself over. 
 Very niimerous were the imaginary local deities, and 
 the spirits of forefathers, who Avere reverenced and 
 enti-eated in war and sickness, for their crops, and 
 Avhen going on a voyage, or in danger at sea. To 
 them, orterings of food and of property were freeh' 
 and frequently made: and as the highest offering, 
 human beings secAxred in war were alwax's presented 
 to the gods at the temple, through the ])riests. before 
 being cooked. These imaginary gods the people 
 everywhere feared, and clung to them with tenacitA’, 
 through their regular and numerous piuesthood. who 
 were reA’erencexl as persons of importance to be 
 dreailed. ami who prized their position, in A’irtue of 
 which they shared the offerings made, and receiv ed 
 the first share of all apportioned to the gods. 
 
 MISSION EFFORTS. 
 
 Rut Fijians — fallen with the rest of mankind, 
 and bad by nature and jiractice — are included in the 
 entire human race avIio are redeemed Iia’ the srrand 
 
12 
 
 FIJI: CAXXWAL AND CHIilUTIAX. 
 
 atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ, “who hv the 
 grace of God tasted death for every man." and “who 
 will have all men to be saA'ed. and to come unhj the 
 knowledge of the truth." And. after many genera- 
 tions had passed away — who had been a law unto 
 themselves, with whom the Judge of all the earth 
 will do right. — the offers of mercy and salvation were 
 made to those far-off and long-neglected outsiders. 
 The inti'oiluction of the glad tidings of great jov to 
 Fiji was on this Avise: The Friendly or Tongan 
 
 Islands are about tAvo huncLed and fifty miles soiAth 
 of Fiji : the Tongans, a copper-colored people, are a 
 fine. poAverful, enterprising and courageous race. In 
 sailing between the three groups of their own islands. 
 Avhen overtaken by storms they not unfrequently 
 drifted in their canoes — sometimes many hundreds 
 of miles distant : but generally they Avere diuA'en bA' 
 the prevailing trade-winds to Fiji: and they Avere 
 spared, and gained a footing, and established friend- 
 ships in the AvindAvard part of the group. After 
 getting their canoes well repaired, or new ones 
 built in some instances by the help of their neAv 
 Fijian friends, they Avould accompany them to 
 Tonga on their return home, and there receive 
 acknoAvledgment of their kindness. Other 'Tongans 
 were accustomed, when all were heathen, to go 
 from their Ioav and small and ill-wooded islets to 
 reside in Fiji for years together, to repair old and 
 to build neAv canoes, in the immense forests of vesi, 
 (similar to the green heart wood of India), a large, 
 durable, and suitable timber, which abounds in Fiji. 
 When many Tongans became Christians, they 
 
FIJI: CANSIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 13 
 
 yearned over their dark and degraded neighbors; 
 and beyond the beneficial influence of private Chris- 
 tians. Tongan teachers have, from the beginning of 
 mission work in Fiji to the ju’esent time, taken a 
 prominent part and been of immense service as 
 ageiits in the great work that has been wrought in 
 Fiji. Better men than some of the Tongans with 
 Avhom I have labored. I have never known any- 
 Avhere. 
 
 AVhat a grand man was the native missionary, 
 Joel Bulu. who was at work in Fiji forty-four years 
 ago. and who has ever since labored with intense 
 zeal, sound judgment, and abundant success in every 
 <lepartment of mission work in Fiji, where he latelv 
 «lied in great peace, esteemed and loved by all. Miss 
 Gordon Cunnning. in her excellent work. “At Home 
 in Fiji." writes: “The first to welcome us on our 
 landing at Ban was the native minister. Joel Buhi. 
 a fine old Tongan chief. His features are beautiful, 
 his color clear olive; he has gray hair and a long, 
 silky, gray beard. He is just my ideal of what 
 Abraham must have been, and would be worth a for- 
 tune for an artist as a patriarchal study. His 
 faith is an intense reality. 1 have rarely met any 
 man so perfectly sini[)le. or so iinmistakablv in 
 earne.st." Again, afterwards, she wrote: “Alas! his 
 work is well-nigh finished. He is jireatlv chanired 
 this week — wasted to a shadow; but Ids face is per- 
 haps more beautiful than ever, from its sweetness of 
 expre.ssion. and the bright look which at times lights 
 it up. just like some grand old apostle nearing his 
 rest." Many Tongans and more Fijians will doubt- 
 
u 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 less be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the 
 Lord Jesus! 
 
 In ISdo the missionaries in the Friendly Islands 
 were constrained to spare two of their numbei- 
 for pioneer service in Fiji — one the Rev. David 
 Cargill. M.A.. of the old Aberdeen UniversitA*. Avho 
 soon learned the language, fixed the alphabet, and 
 ]>repared suitable books for those who were Avilling to 
 read. First, books were printed at the mission press 
 ill Tonga; and also a valuable small book of the 
 fir.st nine cha] iters of the Gospel according to Mat- 
 thew, which, you ivill remember, contains our Lord's 
 incomparalile Sermon on the Mount. What a book 
 was that in Fiji! A blessed light in a dark place. 
 
 APPE.\L .A.ND RE INFORCEMENT. 
 
 Early in 18 an earnest and powerful appeal was 
 issued in England, urging pity on behalf of cannilial 
 Fiji, Avhich thrilled many hearts, and led to the send- 
 ing forth of three of us, ivitli our ivives, to that mis- 
 sion. This re-inforcement Avas opportune. V> e took 
 Avith us a printing press, and all material for printing 
 and liookliinding. On our arrival Ave found transla- 
 tions ready, and Aery soon neAv books Avere issued. 
 The labors of our two jiredecessors had been OAvned 
 of God. and prospered. Some had abandoned heathen- 
 ism and become decided Christians — clear in their 
 experience of God’s saving grace, and heartily de- 
 A’oted to the cause of Christ. They had stood the test 
 of seA'ere persecution. Some suffered the loss of 
 all things; and Ave had some martyrs for the truth 
 among the coiiA'erts and agents. 
 
FIJI: CASSIBAL AFD CHRISTIAX. 
 
 lo 
 
 THAKOMBAU. 
 
 Previous to leaviutj Encrland. I met with a small 
 book entitled "Suggestions for the Conversion of the 
 AVorld." Among: the suggrestions the writer ad\ ised 
 that some individual should be selected whose con- 
 version we should resolve to jiromote and seek ; that 
 that one should be definitely prayed for and spoken 
 to. and that others should be induced to be inter- 
 ested in his or her salvation, and to [lersevere until 
 etfoiis and prayers were successful. This I judge 
 to be a wise plan, as any number of special cases 
 could be fixed upon; and instead of that being a 
 liindrance to general effort for the good of others, 
 due attention to these particular cases craned one 
 lip to lieing in good tune for constant service. My 
 mind was early directed to some who were exerting 
 most infiuence for evil in Fiji, and my heart was 
 soon fixed upon special cases. Most prominent 
 among them was Thakombau. known as "King of 
 Fiji.*' who is thus descrihed by an American gentle- 
 man; "He is extremely good-looking, being tall, 
 well-made, and athletic. He exhibits much intelli- 
 gence both in his expression of countenance and 
 manners. His features and figure resemble those 
 of a European, and he is graceful and easy in his 
 caiTiage." This opinion agrees with the description 
 of Captain Erskine: "It was inniossible not to ad- 
 mire the appearance of the chief. Of large, almost 
 gigantic size, his limbs were beautifully formed and 
 proportioned; his countenance agreeable and intelli- 
 gent; whilst his immense head of hair, covered and 
 concealed with gauze, smoke-ibied and slightly 
 
l(i 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 tinged with brown, gave" him altogether the appear- 
 ance of an eastern sultan. No garments confined 
 his magnificent chest and neck, or concealed the 
 nabiral color of the skin, a clear but decided black; 
 and in spite of his ])aucity of attire (the evident 
 wealth which surrounded him showing that it was 
 a matter of choice and not of necessity) he looked 
 every inch a king.*' 
 
 This was the man above and before all others for 
 whose salvation my heart longed. I thought. *• Now, 
 if Thakombau, who has gained a position and power 
 in Fiji which no predecessor ever reached or suc- 
 cessor will ever gain; who can quickly raise an 
 army of thousands, and destroy the population of 
 towns and islands: if this Saul of Fiji could be 
 converted, what an immense amount of evil would 
 be prevented! and who can tell the good that 
 would thereby be promoted? And why not? For 
 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is exceeding 
 abundant, and fully meets the case of the worst and 
 most determined! O that this man may be con- 
 verted. and broujjht to thoughtfulness, concern, de- 
 cision and salvation!’’ And for him I earnestly 
 prayed and faithfully labored for fifteen years. For 
 ten of those years I was settled one hundred and 
 fifty miles distant from him ; but. whenever I Avent 
 near to Bau, I always took care to haA'e a talk with 
 him for his benefit: Avhenever he came to where I 
 resided, for the tribute due him. I had as much and as 
 frequent intercourse Avith him as was practicable. I 
 sent messages to him; got others interested in him: 
 and for all those years in private and in public 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AXI) CHRISTIAX. 
 
 IT 
 
 prayed to God for liim. Then I was stationed 
 within three miles of his island, with Ban in my 
 charge. Frequently I paid a visit, always endeav- 
 oring. as judicioiisly as I could, to infuse light and 
 instruction into his mind; and to find, lay hold of, 
 and improve his conscience — a very difficult task! 
 While tirm and straightforward with him, I always 
 treated him Avith the respect due tt) his position. 
 AY e were on very good terms, and he treated me Avith 
 respect and kindness. Sometimes I fiAund him in as 
 Aigly a temper as man could })ossibly be in — having 
 been disa[)pointed in some scheme of treachery or in 
 some conhict. or bu.sy premeditating a secret attack 
 upon those he Avished to destroy, or in the midst 
 of a cannibal feast. Avhen all Avere more demonish, 
 and to be aA'oided. 1 felt. "AVell. I haA’e come 
 three miles Avith this fearful sun iqxm my poor 
 pate, to IniAe a AA'ord Avith you; and if I don't get 
 it. it Avlll be exposure and toil in Aain. At the 
 present a Avord .ibout religion AA'ould be out of sea- 
 son. useless, and resented. I must Avait aAvhile, and 
 try again. " So 1 Avas accustomed to A'isit temples 
 and houses in the jxApulous toA\-ji. droj) aa'oihIs here 
 and there, and retiArn to mv friend. Avhom I gener- 
 ally h)und in a better cue. After coiiA'ersaticAii Avith 
 him. I returned home hopefully praying for (hxl's 
 blessing upon him. He AAould return my A'isit. and 
 freipiently get alone Avith me in my bedr(X)m or 
 small A'erandah-stinly. and raise discussions, in order 
 to gain a clear knoAvledge of matters; and also, I 
 found, to get arguments from me AA'ith Avhich to 
 assail his priests and old hai'dened chiefs. I heard 
 
18 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 a^ain and again of his attacks upon them, advis- 
 ing the liigh priest to make the hest of his time, as 
 it was short, for they would all soon embrace Chris- 
 tianity. One day he asked me to accompany him 
 when an offering was to be made to the gods, that I 
 might see the priest under pretended inspiration. 
 All knew that this was in derision. 
 
 It was very gratifying to me to learn that, in- 
 stead of burying persons alive, or strangling those 
 who were ill or useless, as formerly, he would come 
 to me and ask for a piece of English bread or arrow- 
 root and medicine for them. The boilies of some 
 killed in war he had buried, and not eaten, as had 
 lieen their inyariable custom. He also allowed some 
 of his chikh'en to become Christians. Still, he was 
 bound with ten thousand fetters; and the light in- 
 stilled had a hard struggle with the darkness that so 
 long controlled him. 
 
 GAVINDY. 
 
 When Gavindy, king of the Bau fishermen, ivas 
 killed in war, the whole party retreated. I hastened 
 to Bau, to try to prevent the strangling of his wid- 
 ows. On my arrival, to my sorrow I saw that his 
 mother ( for a special reason, in place of his princi- 
 pal wife, who was sister to Thakombau ) and tu o of 
 his wives had been sacrificed to accompany the 
 de})arted. Though too late, I went to the king to 
 repeat my reproof and warning. To my amaze- 
 ment. though his hands had just clutched the death- 
 cord of Gavindy's mother, he was already fast asleep ! 
 I waited until he awoke — it being disrespectful to 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 11 > 
 
 awaken a chief. When lie awoke, on beholding me 
 he started up, exclaiming: “Oh. Mr. Calvert, where 
 have you come from? How now?"’ I had not 
 dropped from the skies, but just come from Yeway, 
 as usual; but he manifestly was uneasy. I said: "I 
 came hoping to be in time to entreat you to spare 
 the lives of the women ; but I Ijnd that, though you 
 knew it to be wrong, and have often been warned 
 to discontiime the bad custom, you have repeated the 
 shameful ju’actice." He said it was their way, and 
 must be followed while they remained heathen. He 
 asked me what had become of Gavindy's soul? I 
 replied that it was not for me to say; that was with 
 God; but I said: "The Bible declares that the 
 wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations 
 that forget God." I was afterwards told that he 
 said to the people around him. after I left: “Aye! 
 how these missionaries lal)or to save life! They 
 take any trouble, and go anywhere, to save people; 
 and we foolish Fijians are ahvays trying to destroy 
 one another. What a jhty that Mr. Calvert was 
 
 not in time! Had he been. I would have saved 
 
 Gavindy's mother." This afforded encouragement 
 and stimulus to me amidst my arduous attemjds to 
 [)revent this prevalent, disgracebil. and common evil. 
 
 TAN().\. 
 
 We had long striven to prevent the strangling of 
 women, when his father, the old king Tanoa, died. 
 In this we were backed most heartily by several 
 commanders of English and American ships-of- 
 war. AVe offered ten largre whale-teeth weiiih- 
 
 O o 
 
20 
 
 F[JI: CANXIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 iiig twenty pounds, a whale-boat, and other prop- 
 erty: and I offered, in Fijian style, to have a 
 finger cut off, if Thakombau Avould spare the lives 
 of the women. At length the fatal day arrived; but 
 he, in sjute of all entreaties, and against the remon- 
 strances and convictions of his o’wm mind, deter- 
 mined to kee[) up their old and binding custom, and 
 not allow a man of such high rank as his father to 
 be buried without the usual honor. But still an 
 earnest and long-continued public and private pro- 
 test had considerable effect ; and Thakombau himself, 
 before all his people, quailed under our entreaties, 
 and said: ‘'Here are only five! had it not been for 
 the interference of you missionaries, inaiiij would 
 have been strangled!" 
 
 BONGITHIWA. 
 
 On one occasion. I had a Bau chief over at 
 Bewa. under my medical care. He died. I fol- 
 lowed his remains to Ban. and asked the king if he 
 would kindly spare Bongithiwa. the wife of Koroi 
 Ubambakolo, who had just died. He said I was to 
 go to his tribe, the Yusarandavis, and request her 
 life from them. I told him I had been to them, and 
 they had refused to grant my request: but an order 
 from him would save a fine, healthy woman, to live 
 and do good woi’k. He then sent off' a messenger. I 
 said: “ Please tell him to make haste, as she has gone 
 to be bathed, oiled, and dressed for death." On 
 which he said: ‘‘ivn.soraa'o, Katu "Wangka." “Make 
 haste. Katu M angka.’’ When he reached the 
 house, the strangling-cord was prepared. ‘‘The 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AXD CHRISTIAX. 
 
 21 
 
 king lias sent me, at Mr. Calvei-t's request, to order 
 you to spare the life of Bongithiua.*' The holder 
 of the strangling-eord was enraged, and threw it 
 down, saying: “Then I siqipose we are to die like 
 nobody now." The sooner the better, if having 
 pO(jr women strangled when you die. be dying as 
 somebody! This was my first victory and trium})h 
 over this abomination, and gave me heaid and hope 
 and comfort. MTienever I saw the woman after- 
 wards, she smiled upon me, in gratitude for her 
 rescue. 
 
 W.\R .\T NANDY. 
 
 War was waging at Xandy. one huncb'ed and 
 twenty miles distant. The heathen resolved to 
 destroy the Christians, who had fled to the mission 
 premises. I went over to the king, jiresented a 
 whale's tooth, and hegged him to inter])ose and sto]) 
 the war. as the missionary Moore and his family and 
 ])i’operty were in danger. He refused, saying the 
 C'hristians near him had left him in the lurch, saying 
 it was not lawful for them to fight and kill people! 
 and so, while he and his heathen jieople were exposed 
 in war. attacked by disease while sleeping out in the 
 dew and rain, and their backs almost broken in steer- 
 ins: their war canoes, the Christians remained at 
 home, planted and ate their food, slept soundly and 
 securely all night long, read their books, and prayed 
 to God: “ Tamai Keeton sntike niailonialofji, me 
 
 rakaroka rokofaki nn ijaeamn, me ijaeo mat na nomu 
 leica, mecakd na nomii veltatia .s vnravnra me nnka 
 mat lomahuji'' — repeating a part of the Lord’s 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 
 Prayer. I entreated him not to allow the missionary 
 and his family to remain in jeopardy, when he could 
 so easily prevent the danger: and told him that he 
 ought to do it. as he had promised commanders of 
 Her Majesty’s ships that he would protect the mis- 
 sionaries. "Sii Ix'.'ir ui farora iiai rahi ! An cnia 
 iia 110)1111 (Ion Join !" — “I will not prevent the war! 
 I hate your religion! “ I replied. “I kneV before I 
 left Eimland that vou hated religion : for the Bible 
 
 O • 
 
 says. 'The carnal mind is enmity against God ; for it 
 is not subject to the law of God. neither indeed can 
 be.'" “Oh yes; of course you know everything!" he 
 responded. I said. “I hoj)e you will be serious: this 
 is an important matter: life is at stake. Mr. Moore 
 and family are in peril. You can relieve them. You 
 promised you would, and you ought to do so. And 
 should evil come upon them, you will not like to hear 
 it reported on board the next ship-of-war that comes 
 here, that you could easily have preserved the 
 mission family, and were entreated to do so. hnt ijon 
 ironhl not. I hope you will be ijolorinaka. snka — of 
 a good mind, sir — and stop the war." ,“I tell you 
 I shall not! moreover I hate your religion." “Yes, I 
 know that; you told me so just now: and what will 
 voii do with it? Will you put a stop to Christianity?"’ 
 “No. no; I cannot do that. I know we shall all 
 l)ecome Christians ; but not yet. And, while we are 
 heathen and have to fight. I am so glad that you 
 Christians also have to wage war; for you have a 
 fight of your own." Ultimately, however, he put an 
 end to that conflict — and the missionary and Chris- 
 tians were preserved. 
 
FIJI: CAXXIBAL AXD CHKISTIAS. 
 
 
 DECISION. 
 
 At last, after many troubles and dangers and 
 ])ersonal alilictions. and much and long-continued 
 direct Instruction, such as few are favored with, and 
 an urgent and most timely letter from King George 
 of Tonga, Thakombau hrmly decided that he wouhl 
 totally abandon heathen worship and vile ju-actices; 
 would cease to do evil and learn to do well; and 
 would seek the favor and blessing of Almighty God. 
 On the doth of April, ISo-f, we assembled in the 
 large Strangers' House. The two large wooden 
 drums, known as •• Aka/o/vn/o/ Vain "— publishers of 
 war — were struck to assenil)le those in Ihiu Avho 
 were now willing to enroll themselves under the 
 banner of the Prince of Peace. The king, preceded 
 by his grey-headed, long-bearded family ju'iest. was 
 followed by about one hundred and fifty persons, 
 with clean faces and suitably clad, to worship the 
 true and living God. My heart was deejdy affected 
 with this most pleasing siglit and blessed reality! 1 
 rejoiced exceedingly to conduct that service, a new 
 beginning of good. On that memorable day, all 
 those ovens behind the Strangers' House, used for 
 cooking Imman flesh, were forever closed! That 
 which had long burdened my heart, and in the past 
 terribly hindered the sjuead of the truth, was now 
 removed, and special promise of help and success 
 now afforded. 
 
 The king commenced at once with family wor- 
 ship morning and evening, and obtained a bell to 
 summon all from the adjoining outhouses. From 
 the first he was an exani])le to all for regular attend- 
 
24 
 
 FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 ance on week-eA-ening services and prayer-meetings, 
 as well as on the Sabbath. He chose and was 
 married to his principal Avife. the mother of seA eral 
 children, who, in their mother's dignity, stood in an 
 important position both in the household and the 
 state, and at once he abandoned, or rather set at 
 liberty, all the rest of his wiA-es. But he did not verA' 
 soon obtain deliverance Horn the many and poAA erful 
 sins which had so long fettered him. The strong man 
 armed Avithin him resisted the spoiling of his goods. 
 But he was anxious to be realH risfht: and he 
 repented and prayed, and hoped in God's mercy 
 through Christ. 
 
 THE HIGH PRIEST. 
 
 The king acted very carefully and A\isely and 
 firmly. But he had many and all sorts of difficulties 
 AA-itli himself and Avith others to grapple with. The 
 high priest had become aA’owedly Christian: but he 
 was fearfully annoyed that his new religion, by 
 which he was utterly destitute, was a considerable 
 loss to him, as thereby ceased all his mamage and 
 other perquisites as priest of the national temple of 
 the reputed god Thangawalu. whose forehead Avas 
 said to be eight spans high. AVhereupon he got up a 
 great excitement, pretending that the god had again 
 entered him, and Avowed that the king and his toAAUi 
 and government would be ruined if he continued 
 Christian. A teacher was sent to pray AAuth the 
 agitated priest ; but that sort (God coA’etousness) did 
 not go out by prayer. Next day, the king, on being 
 informed that the priest was still under the powerful 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 25 
 
 sway of the god, and having heard how King George 
 of the Friendly Islands had acted under similar 
 circumstances, he sent for the jn-iest. As soon as he 
 was seated before him, the king, having prepared the 
 remedy in the form of a good stick, gave him a 
 somewhat severe whacking. This surprised and 
 shocked the poor old fellow, whom none had ever 
 dared to handle in such a way, and he cried out. 
 "All sa iiKifr! an sa iiiafi-.'" — “I'mdead! I'm dead!” 
 It was a perfect ci;re. Of course we Avere not con- 
 sulted. and had nothing to do with this harsh way of 
 expelling pretended demons. But the high ])riest 
 having been successfully o[)erated u[)on. and by the 
 king hini.self, all the smaller priests took warning; 
 and we had no trouble on this score, Avhere other- 
 wise we should have been greath' bothered by those 
 whose craft was gone. 
 
 SHAVIXCi. 
 
 The king not getting right so soon as he had 
 hoped, he had considerable searchings of heart, and 
 one day he said to his Avife. Avho had alreadA' been 
 made happy by a gracious change of heart. “I'll liaA'e 
 my beard off." We neAer asked them to slniAe and 
 ^sacrifice the handsome beards they cultivated, and 
 Avould not Avithout Scripture precept. Avhich Ave had 
 not. But the ctui verts observed that the missionaries 
 one and all A\-ere smooth-faced gentlemen; and the 
 peo])le Avho became jumiinal and real Christians, 
 sup})osed it right to imitate us; and off Avent their 
 beaiitiful beards. Hoav they got them off Avith the 
 miserable razors they oldained, I could not tell; but 
 
FIJI: CASSIBAL AND CHBISTIAX. 
 
 2t) 
 
 they endured the ordeal, and were clean shaved. And 
 the king said lie would suffer the loss — having a 
 notion, no doubt, that it was becoming. But his wife 
 knew the man : and our wives will often ijive us vain- 
 alile hints very profitable, if we will take them. She 
 said. “Let your beard alone! Get your heart right! 
 and then, if your beard comes off it will be without 
 making any fuss about it! ’ 
 
 HE BECAME A REAL. CONSISTENT AND HEARTY 
 CHRISTIAN. 
 
 He was very regular at all the means of grace; 
 and especially at his class-meeting, which was a 
 much-needed, great, and agreeable help to him. and 
 was highly appreciated by him. When he left home 
 to visit his dominions he required a class-leader and 
 teacher to accompany him, that he might not suffer 
 loss. And when it was not couA enieut to hold relig- 
 ious seiwices in the houses Avhich he and his attend- 
 ants occupied, plenty of room Avas ahvays found out 
 of doors in the banana plantations, liread-fruit 
 groA^es, or in the Avoods. " Where there's a will 
 there’s a Avay!"’ And 'Ghe Lord helps those avIio 
 help themsehes!" And so King Thakombau Avas 
 saA’ed and happy and deA oted. He tried to do all 
 the good he couhl Avhere he had done so much eA'il. 
 “ Where sin abounded, grace tlid much more 
 abound.’’ At baptism he chose the name “Ebenezer.'’ 
 as hitherto the Lord had })reserved aiul helped him. 
 And his AA'ife’s name became Lydia. AA'hose heart the 
 Lord had o])ened. He afterAvards ceded the islands 
 to Britain; and he had an alloAvauce of fifteen huu- 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHRISTIAN. 
 
 ‘27 
 
 (Ired pounds sterling a year from the new govern- 
 nient. and retained the splendid island of Motunki, 
 where I Avas fiiriously attacked in June. 185J, by a 
 huntb'ed saA'age natives, avIio vowed they would kill 
 me because they had been ill-treated by the Avhites ; 
 but from that dreadful death, tlie Lord alone rescued 
 me. 
 
 After the annexation of Fiji to Great Britain, the 
 ex-kiim was most loval to the new <jovernment. and 
 
 O 4. O 
 
 he exerted great influence with and rendered most 
 valuable hel[) to the Governor, which Avas heartily 
 and gratefully acknoAvledged. For nearly tAventy- 
 nine years this remarkable man maintained a good 
 Christian character; and his ijifluence in behalf of 
 Christianity and of good in general among the j)eople 
 has been immense. His devoted partner passed 
 aAA'ay in great j)eace in l8Nl. to his sincere grief. 
 And eighteen months after her death, he died, trust- 
 ing in Christ, and calling upon his name, on the first 
 of February, this year [INSJ |. 
 
 The Bev. F. Langham A\rites to me: "He died 
 
 A\ell. It Avoi;ld have rejoiced your lieart if you could 
 have seen tlie grand old Avarrit>r. for grand he cer- 
 tainly did look as he lay on his mat. saying he 
 trusted alone in JesiAS. his living Saviour. His son 
 Timothy, and his daughters knelt Avith me Avhile I 
 ])rayed the Avaiting Saviour to receiA'e the dej)arting 
 s})irit. I could hardly get Avords out. for Ave Avere all 
 Aveeping. Yet Ave were thankful that he ended his 
 stormy life so peacefully. AVhat a stir there must 
 have been in the Land of the Blest. Avhen many Avho 
 had heard of him noAv saAv him ; and those who 
 
28 
 
 FIJI: CASXIBAL ASD CHRISTIAS. 
 
 preceded him, now met him in light and blessedness. 
 You may imagine that I miss the old man. He was 
 always so regular at church; and one of the best 
 hearers I ever saw; and how appropriately he used 
 to pray! with what sweet simplicity! You remember 
 what choice language he used! He had a fine com- 
 mand of Fijian words. It was always a treat to 
 listen to him. whether in prayer or in class meeting, 
 or the love feast. Well, it was something worth 
 <loing to win him for the Saviour! Thank God for 
 such a glorious trophy of redeeming mercy; and 
 what a multitude have lieeu won to a profession of 
 religion, and brought to know the Saviour, through 
 the knowledge of his conversion, and his influence 
 and example!” 
 
 Many specimens similar to this might be related; 
 but this one with which many incidents are con- 
 nected. so that it could not be abridged and still 
 complete, is all that our time will allow. And I now 
 close with a brief compressed statement of 
 
 THE GENERAL WORK OF MISSIONARIES IN FIJI. 
 
 Soon as any were converted and gained new life 
 in their souls, they became deeply earnest in prayer 
 and effort for the benefit of others. We have had 
 several blessed and extensive revivals which have 
 told much ipion our cause, Avhen many sought and 
 found mercy. A great and glorious work of God 
 has been Avrought throughout Fiji. Avhich is most 
 manifest to all who honestly examine it. The Spirit 
 of God accompanied the plain. straightfoiM-ard 
 preaching of the Avord. Many thousands haA’e been 
 
FIJI: CANNIBAL AND CHBISTIAN. 
 
 ■ 2 <> 
 
 clearly saved, been very useful, have lived and died 
 happy in Christ, and are forever with tlie Lord. 
 Cruel practices and degrading superstitions are 
 extinct. Marriage is sacred, the Sal)bath kept, 
 family worship regularly conducted, schools estab- 
 lished eAeryAvhere, law and good government Avell 
 laid, and spiritual churches formed. A iiatiAe 
 ministry is raised iip for eA’ery braiich of the Avork, 
 Avhich is firmly established, and still abides in vigor. 
 The language has been reduced to Avritten form ; and 
 tAVO editions of a grammar and dictionaries liaA'e been 
 printed. Five thoiisand copies of the Avhole Bible, 
 fifty thousand of the NeAv Testament, anil innumer- 
 able portions of God’s AVord liaA'e been supplied to 
 and purchased by the native converts. Bunyan's 
 Pilgrim's Progress, Hunt’s System of Christian 
 Theology, and Catechism with Scripture Proof are 
 read and .studied and prized. And iiotAvitlistanding 
 the very lieaA-y loss of population by measles, the 
 returns just to hand report l,2od chapels and other 
 preaching places — od native ministers, catechists. 
 1,01!) head teachers; all of Avhom are mainU' saa[)- 
 ported by the people for Avhom they labor. There 
 are also 1,877 local preachers and 2.700, mainly 
 gratuitous, school teachers; 42,000 scholars, 1,842 
 schools. Church members. *27,421; 4,121 on trial; 
 and d,l!)2 class-leaders. Attendants on public 
 AAorship, 100,584. 
 
 AVell may it be asked, “ AAdiat hath God 
 AATought?” “It is the Lord’s doing and marvelous 
 in our eyes!’’ “In the Avilderness, Avaters liaA’e 
 
 * Since increa^*e<l to over 50,000. 
 
8(1 
 
 FIJI: CASSIBAL AS’D CHRISTIAS. 
 
 broken out, and streams in the deseid. The ])arched 
 ground has become a pool, and tlie thirstA' land 
 streams of Avater.” “ Instead of the thorn the fir- 
 tree has come uj); instead of the brier the niAi-tle 
 tree. It is to the Lord tor a name, for an eA’erlast- 
 ing sign that shall not l)e cut off." •• Blessed be the 
 Lord Cxod. the God of Israel — and the God of the 
 AA’hole earth — avIio onh' doeth AA'ondrous thingfs. And 
 blessed be his glorious name foreA’er : and let the 
 AAdiole earth be filled AA'ith his gloi'A'. Amen and 
 amen.” 
 
 1. This grand A\"ork among such a j)eople affords 
 additional. neAv and strong proof that the religion of 
 Christ is as true, poAA'erful and etf'ectiA'e hoaa-. as Avheii 
 first established on the day of Pentecost — is still the 
 poAA'er of God unto eA'ery one that belieA'eth; and it 
 is adapted to the condition of all men eA ervAA’liere. 
 
 2. By this AAork each one of all om’ race is 
 pointed to the one only and all-sufficient remedy 
 for sin and misery, aA’ailable for each. ” WhosoeA er 
 AA-ill. let him take of the AA^ater of life freely.” 
 
 3. And hereliy each one here is urged not to 
 trifle or delay, but to secure for himself speedily his 
 highest good. WhateA'er you liaAe or have not 
 beside, lay firm hold on eternal life, and ever hold 
 fast this immense treasure. And take your fidl 
 share in trying to benefit others. 
 
 CoEYDOX, Dec. 4, 1882. 
 
THE TRAXSFOEMING POWER OF THE 
 GOSPEL. 
 
 No language can (lescril)e the liom])le condition 
 of Fiji when John Hunt and James Calvert appeared 
 upon the scene in Uecemher. 18J8. Cannihalisin 
 was iiniversal. The lieathenism of the ])eople reached 
 the most appalling depths of cruelty and ahomination. 
 The im^st di’eadful tortures were indicted u 2 )on the 
 poor victims who were selected fcjr cannibalistic 
 feasts. Sometimes their limbs were ciit off while 
 still living, and cookeil and eaten before their eyes; 
 and sometimes their own cooked ffesh was offered 
 them to eat. Anil there the climax of tiendish 
 brutality was reached ; Satan certainly had done 
 his worst. 
 
 The Psalmist prayed. "Have res{)ect unto the 
 covenant, for the dark j)laces of the earth are full of 
 the habitations of cruelty." And surely it is in the 
 covenant that all these dark 2 >laces shall be illumined 
 by the glorious Gospel of the Son of God, for "the 
 earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as 
 the waters cover the sea. ’ 
 
 How swiftly has the Gosjiel transformed Fiji into 
 a nation of Christian jieojile! These ferocious 
 2 )eo])le, when they Avere coin'erted. became gentle, 
 loving and faithful Christians. 
 
FIJI: CANSIHAL ASD CHRISTIAX. 
 
 :i2 
 
 John Hunt died at the age of thiiiy-six. He fell 
 at his post at the head of a conquering armv of 
 native Christians, and in his short lifetime he had 
 given a signal illustration of what one man can do 
 when tired with a lofty purpose and full of the love 
 of God. Into ten years he crushed the work of a 
 lifetime. JVhen it was feared that he must die. the 
 'Converts gathered around him, and one of them 
 cried, *‘If one must die. take me; take ten of us: 
 but spare Thy servant to preach Christ to the 
 people!” But as the time cb'ew near for his depar- 
 ture, he grasped Mr. Calvert with one hand, and 
 raising the other, he cried, “O let me pray once 
 more for Fiji! Lord, for Christ's sake bless Fiji! 
 Save Fiji! SaA’e Thy servants! Save Thy people! 
 Save the heathen in Fiji!” Then turning his eyes 
 heavenward he cried. “I trust in Jesus. He is my 
 joy. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” 
 
 The native Christians came from far and near to 
 look upon the face of the revered dead, and at three 
 o’clock the next day some native students bore to 
 the grave a plain coffin, inscribed. 
 
 “Rev. JOHN HUNT, 
 
 Slept in Jesus. Oct. 4th. 1848, 
 
 Aged 36 Years.”