Fiji by A. G. Stewart

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1911

Fiji

By A. G. Stewart

SUVA VOU.—It is now some time since we reported our work in this field through the columns of the REVIEW. Since our council in May, we have effected some changes, which we hope will prove a benefit to the work. Among these are the locating of our native workers in places where there have been calls for help, and also the placing of a few new workers from our training-school in the field.

During the past year the European workers have been at Buresala, the present headquarters of this mission. But in counsel with Elder E. H. Gates, who recently spent over a month with us, we decided to complete the mission house at Suva Vou, which had been left unfinished; and it was also thought best that Mrs. Stewart and I should move to Suva Vou, and from there carry on our field work. That place has many advantages for one looking after the interests of the field work, as it is close to the chief port in Fiji, and from there one can reach, by either land or water, almost all the provinces in the group.

In making this change we found our launch very serviceable. This vessel, which is twenty-six feet long, with a seven-foot beam, was donated to the mission by Brother and Sister B. J. Cady, who spent about nine months in this field before they connected with the work in Australia. We now have it driven by an eight-horsepower kerosene engine, and can travel at the rate of from six to seven miles an hour. Only those who have used sailing vessels in traveling among these islands, as some of our pioneer workers have done, can appreciate the convenience of a motor-boat like this.

Pauliasi, our aged native minister, has again gone back to Lau, the most eastern part of the group, to look after the work in that district. Four or five brethren have been awaiting baptism there for some time.

We also decided at the late council to reduce the price of the Fijian “Great Controversy,” and to make a special effort to dispose of the remainder of this edition. We find the book is now selling more readily than ever, and we hope soon to have all these books in the hands of the people. One teacher sold about thirty copies during the past two weeks, having worked only a few days.

In making this short report we wish to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his continual care over his work and workers in this field. In times of danger we have seen his direct interposition, and many times when we have not realized it, his angels have been fulfilling their commission on our behalf. May the Lord help us to be as faithful in fulfilling our sacred trust of warning the people of these islands concerning the great day of the Lord. A. G. STEWART. (Department concluded on page twenty)