Back in Fiji by C. H. Parker

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

Back in Fiji

By C. H. Parker

EMORI and I arrived in Suva a week ago to-day, having attended the union conference. We had a very pleasant trip. The sea was as calm as it could be. Four days out from Sydney we reached Noumea, of the New Caledonia group. It was Sunday, but almost every trade was being carried on. A big bicycle race was in progress. In the evening the noise of revelry and the dance filled the air. About every other building in Noumea seems to be a public house. A great deal of liquor is consumed.

The people are mostly Catholics. The French Protestant denomination and one other are located here. The cemetery is the most beautiful I have ever seen. There are not many monuments or tombstones, but the graves are decorated with floral work brought from France. The appearance in the sun was like glittering silver. It was a beautiful sight. As the day before was “All Saints’ day,” the graves were especially decorated.

They have a railway running out into the country for fourteen miles. In the market I saw strawberries, lettuce, cabbages, egg plants, radishes, sweet potatoes, yams, and bananas. The market is held in an open square. They have a very productive nickel mine, and boats from all parts of the world load here.

As this has been a French penal station, the French government has been able to make a fine stone wharf, and to lay out beautiful streets. Work is hard to get, as there are so many convicts.

Noumea is said to have a population of six thousand Europeans, including soldiers. There is a population of one hundred and twenty-six thousand in the entire group. These islands must soon be entered. As I have obtained some names of white residents there, I shall send papers from time to time.

Four more days brought us to Suva. The brethren were overjoyed to see me again at Suva Vou. Brother Carr and I celebrated the ordinances with them. It was a good season. All are faithful, and another has begun to keep the Sabbath. We held a few meetings with them. On Monday evening we left for Buresala, and reached there the following day. The students are getting along nicely, and are planting quite large gardens. All the plants are growing well. There are twenty-one students now, and quite a number of applications. As we have funds in hand, we are able to build three more houses for students who are coming. We had a good council meeting with the workers from the Ra coast of Viti Levu. They brought very cheering news of progress. They go back with renewed courage.

I am off now on a trip of four hundred and fifty miles through the Lau province, and am writing this as we are sailing. There is every evidence that this field is ripe for the message. Pray for us.

Brother and Sister Carr are getting along nicely, and are quite well, and of the best of courage. C. H. PARKER.