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Working for the Indians in Fiji

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 30, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 5.

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Working for the Indians in Fiji

By Ellen Meyers

We are thankful to report a safe and pleasant voyage. We arrived on October 28, and Brother A. Stewart met us. He happened to be in Suva that day, and just two hours before the arrival of the boat he received the cable stating that we were passengers on the “Atua.” It was a surprise to Mrs. Stewart, as there was no time to inform her, but we were made welcome.
Our first impressions are favorable, but I am slow to express myself lest I create wrong impressions. We have conversed with some Indians, and they express themselves favorably. They are glad when we say we are from India. We spent a few days at Suva before we decided where to settle, and are glad to report that we now occupy part of a house (two rooms, kitchen, and wash-house) on one of the main streets in the residential part of Suva. The house is divided into four suites. The first is occupied by three women working for the Pentecostal Mission. We occupy the third, leaving the one between us and the mission just mentioned. Our direct neighbor is an educated Indian, who is a government interpreter and knows seven Indian languages. His wife is a half-caste Maori woman. They seem quite friendly toward us. He has helped me translate into Indian something for a sign-board stating we are the Seventh-day Adventist Mission for Indians. His wife plans to study.
We realize it is the day of small things, and expect up-hill work. We organized a small Sabbath-school last Sabbath. There are two English-speaking families here who are Sabbath-keepers. We are of good courage. The Lord in answer to prayer gave me definite assurance from his Word concerning our coming to Fiji. Prov. 4: 11, 12: “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.” The path of duty is the safest path. We need your prayers. Pray for us. Just where and how to begin is a perplexing question. We need the power of God’s Holy Spirit in this work. Pray with us that God will raise up a man and his wife among the Indians who will help us give the message.
ELLEN MEYERS.