Fiji by C. H. Parker

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

Fiji

By C. H. Parker

Since writing, I have had some good experiences on the Ra coast of Viti Levu (the largest island of the Fiji group), and also inland. It seems as if the devil fights every step I take to reach the different places to which I am called. I have not had one good sea trip this last year. I always get into some hard and trying storm. These experiences drive one nearer the Lord.

But I expected to have a very pleasant time going inland on the island of Viti Levu, but it has done nothing but rain in torrents for several months. It rained twenty-nine days in the month of December, twenty-two in January, and made a good beginning this month. I had to go barefoot all the way. After reaching a certain point, the mountaineers told me that it would be at the peril of my life if I should attempt to go farther, as the streams were raging torrents. In reaching that point I had crossed ten large rivers and twenty smaller ones. At the rivers I had to have help, as I could not keep my foothold, on account of the swiftness of the streams. In returning I had to strip off my European clothes, and dress like the Fijians, but I praise God for the blessed results of the trip.

At one place all the Wesleyans accepted the message, and gave their church building and teacher's house to the work. The teacher also accepted the truth, and is now giving the message. It was mainly through him that these good results were obtained. He had been reading our native paper. The truths had appealed to his mind. He had

been teaching them to his congregation, and they with him had taken their stand. Over thirty adults compose this congregation. Quite a large number of Catholics attended every meeting, and a few of these took their stand before I left. On this trip I baptized twelve there. Quite a number more would have liked to be baptized, but we think best to go slowly, and let them make a thorough demonstration as to their being in earnest.

At Ra I baptized six. One was a district government chief, and another was an old man, tottering on the verge of the grave. He dates back to the old cannibal days, and it is said that he himself has tasted human flesh. After hearing of the stand he had taken, two other old men threw their tobacco out of doors into the rain. They made a special request that they might be baptized, also. I told them they would have to wait till my next visit. Others at Ra requested baptism, so I expect that on my next trip there will be a number who will follow their Lord in this ordinance.

Since my last letter, we have had our school land surveyed, and have made the final payment. This places the land under our entire control. Last Sabbath we had a dedicatory service over the land. With the students we all gathered on top of the hill where we are to erect our school building, and after appropriate remarks and hymns, the land was set apart to the work of the Lord. It was an encouragement to us all as we reviewed the leadings and dealings of the Lord with us in the work here. It has been a hard struggle to get a footing in Fiji, but the Lord has led his work on to victory against all the opposition which it has had to meet, and has given us this “nail in a sure place.” The prospects look bright. C. H. PARKER.