p. 14 | In Fiji Again by John Edwin Fulton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 3, 1904

In Fiji Again

By John Edwin Fulton

J. E. FULTON

After nearly two years' absence from Fiji, Mrs. Fulton, our three children, Miss Guilliard, and myself, have returned to our chosen field of labor. We were sorry to have to leave, but we have not been idle as regards the work here. While directly engaged in teaching Bible in the Avondale School, Cooranbong, we have been able to translate an abridged edition of three hundred pages of “Great Controversy” in Fijian, and have also supplied copy for our little paper Rarama which we print monthly in Suva Vou. We had also the opportunity of often addressing the students on missionary topics, and we trust that as many have been enthused with desire to work in the island fields, we shall see some faithful young people from Avondale connect with the work here in the near future. It has been already decided that one young man from Avondale will arrive here in October to connect with our mission.

How thankful we are now that we did not return to America. Our health was broken, and we knew not what to do. We were kindly invited by Elders Irwin and Gates to come to Australia. Arrangements were made for us, and we accepted. At that time it seemed that we could do but very little, but, as health returned, opportunities presented themselves both to aid in forwarding the work at the school in Avondale, and also to prepare literature for the Fijians. We praise God that we had such precious privileges in Australia. We now return, refreshed and strengthened for the work here where we have labored for some time. It is now eight years since we began to labor in Fiji.

Fiji with its eighty inhabited islands presents an interesting field for missionary effort. Not only for Fijians is it an important center, but as there are so many Polynesians here, it is sure to become an important training center. The Lord has signally helped in getting the work established among the natives of this group, and we believe that God will choose young men from among our natives who can be entrusted with the work in the regions beyond Fiji. It has been decided that we should have a good training-school in Fiji to work toward this end. We hope to enlist the sympathy of our brethren who are far away in behalf of our work here.

Not far west are many millions in terrible darkness. Some are in abject heathenism and we must carry the gospel of Christ to them, and warn them of the events just before us in the closing up of earth's history. We all feel anxious here to see the work advance, and we hope that some whose interest is aroused will aid us in doing so. To start this school we will need some means to build some good native buildings and a comfortable home for a teacher. We ought to have fifteen hundred dollars to start this school. I believe that amount could not be better expended in any other work, and I am quite sure the same amount would not bring in so many souls if expended in our home lands. Who will help us? We ask your prayers in our behalf that we may have wisdom, and that God will sustain us in health. We ask in behalf of the cause here, that you will assist by some of the means God has been pleased to place in your hands.

There are many points of interest concerning the work in different islands of the Fiji group where the truth has entered and where souls have accepted it, which we must leave for a future article. Suva Vou, Fiji.