The Fiji Mission Field by C. H. Parker

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1907

The Fiji Mission Field

By C. H. Parker

The Fiji Mission field comprises those islands known as the Fijian group. There are over two hundred islands, of which number there are about one hundred inhabited, and the total area is 7,500 square miles. The group is divided into sixteen provinces, fourteen of which are ruled over by a roko (native governor). The population in 1901 was estimated at 117,870, comprising 91,019 native Fijians, 2,447 Europeans, 1,504 half-castes, 17,105 Indians, and the remaining 5,795 are Polynesians and Solomon Islanders.

We have organized eight churches and one company in the group. There are about one hundred and fifteen adult native and ten European Sabbath-keepers.

A little over a year ago, three hundred acres of very fertile land on the island of Ovalau, which is situated in the center of the group, was leased, and an industrial school was located on it. It has been a success from the very start, and it is well spoken of as far as it is known. Brother and Sister Carr have charge, and they are doing excellent work. Their influence is of the very best. There are sixteen students in attendance, one of whom is a son of a leading chief and roko. One European and eight native houses have been erected, one of which is used for the printing-office and another for a storehouse. The other six are occupied by the students. As numbers are increasing, two more are being built, and also a fifty-foot school building.

Bananas and pineapples are being planted for the market, with the hope that this school can be placed on a self-supporting basis after a short time. We should have another teacher to assist Brother Carr, as his work is becoming very heavy, and will constantly increase.

The printing-press is located at the school. Sister Carr is our printer, and is doing good, faithful work. I do not know what we should do without her assistance. Our printing work is of primary importance to our work in Fiji, and we should strengthen it all we can. We print twelve hundred copies of our native paper, the Rarama, monthly, and scatter them throughout the group. Some tracts and our Sabbath-school Lesson Quarterly are printed periodically. We have interested our brethren in four districts to take five-dollar clubs of our papers, and do missionary work with them, thus helping out in the expense.

The mission has three books printed in the Fijian,—“Nai Tukutuku-ni-Veigaura,” which is a partial translation of Volume IV of the “Great Controversy,” “Nai Balebale-ni-Parofisai,” a small book of Bible readings which cover the main points of our faith, and a small hymn-book, containing one hundred hymns and tunes.

As a general thing, the people seem anxious for our reading-matter. We would much like to have a young man in training for this work, so that if Sister Carr’s health fails, we would have some one to take her place. Then again we expect that the printing work will enlarge as New Guinea and other islands are entered.

The mission has six mission houses—three European and three native. It has three boats—one twelve-foot rowing and sailing boat, which is used on the Ra Coast of Viti Levu; one five-ton cutter, formerly used in Lau, but now used at Buresala; and our new boat, a ten-ton schooner-yacht, by which we can reach all parts of this group.

There are five native laborers in the employ of the mission. Fiji at the present time has her arms wide-open to us, but we know not how long these favorable circumstances will continue. Now, just now, is the time to work, before the night comes, when no man can work.

C. H. PARKER.