The Work in Fiji by J. E. FULTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 16, 1905

The Work in Fiji

By J. E. FULTON

We find a great desire on the part of many of the natives to hear the word. At a feast recently held here, we had the privilege of speaking the word to quite a large number of people, who seemed to appreciate what was told them concerning the message for these times. We have had many visitors, some of whom asked very intelligent questions. We are always glad to have the opportunity of thus presenting the truth.

Lately a native from a distance called to see us. He has been a regular subscriber for the Raranga for some time. He seems deeply impressed with the truth. We pray that the Lord will give him grace to obey. He is now supplied with both our native books, “Bible Readings” and “Great Controversy;” he also has our paper and a number of our tracts. He says he finds the literature very useful in preparing his sermons. I assured him that he could not do better than to take the book “Bible Readings” and get the groundwork for his sermons, and then from “Great Controversy” find what he needed by way of illustration. He said that he had already found what I advised to be true. This is not the first time we have been told that our literature is sought by the native preachers. Several ordained native preachers have told me the same thing.

Years ago when I first came to Fiji, a young native who was learning to preach came to me, asking me to help him get up a sermon on the punishment of the wicked. I cited text after text on the subject, but after a time he saw that the line of thought drawn from the Bible did not coincide with his former views of the subject. I assured him that what I had given was the truth. He saw it, and preached it before an older preacher, who reproved him for preaching heresy. But the truth was preached, and the young man who preached it is now one of our number. He has sold quite a number of our books, and assists in preaching.

Not long ago we were holding a meeting in a court-house, the use of which was granted us by the high chief, or roko, of that district. As this same building has been used since the last hurricane by the Wesleyans as well, it became a source of annoyance to the ordained pastor that we should preach there. He entered the building as the playing and singing was in progress just before the meeting. The lamp was lighted: we had made the mistake of supposing that it was a part of the court-house furniture, but were informed by that preacher that it was purely a Wesleyan light, and must be extinguished. I told him to do so, and he did. I thought of the great light that the Wesleyans had been in the time of Wesley and later, but how that light was being extinguished because of their failure to receive more light. After he had extinguished the light, he had a large native drum beat so as to disturb our meeting, but when the roko arrived, the drum beating stopped very suddenly. Because of the attitude assumed by the preacher, the chief sent word to him to take everything belonging to the Wesleyans from the building, as they must not hold another meeting there. If Adventists wished, they might have it; or if Catholics wanted to use it, they were welcome; but the Wesleyans were no longer to occupy the premises.

We see more and more strong prejudice arising against the truth. A few days ago Brother Carr tried to buy a Bible at one of the Wesleyan missions, and was refused by a European missionary. Some very bitter articles have lately appeared in the native Wesleyan paper against us. But what has been written will not help the Wesleyan cause, and I think it will do us very little harm. God can use even this to the advancement of his message.

Word from Brother Parker’s district tells that they are well, and the work moves on. Brother Pauliasi, on still another rock-bound coast, keeps the light of truth burning.

Our health and courage are good. We trust in God. Pray for us.

J. E. FULTON.