Progress in Fiji Islands
By J. E. Fulton
The work is onward here. Our new companies previously reported are becoming established in the truth. We lately made a trip to Lau, the most easterly portion of Fiji, where three new companies of Sabbath keepers are located. We were ten days in making this voyage of less than two hundred miles. Our little cutter was terribly tossed by the waves, and we were compelled to run before the wind and sea and find places of shelter at the Friendly Islands. Our clothing was drenched with the heavy seas that passed over us day and night. Fiji is a hot place sometimes, but I can assure you that we were cold enough to shiver. Our boat furnished only canned beef and yams for food, and as we do not eat beef, we had yams cooked in sea water as our diet. We were glad when this long trip was over. We have many trips of this kind in Fiji. Happily they are not usually so long as this one. But in stormy weather traveling is very dangerous among these coral islands. After our voyage was over, we were glad to go on shore, where our brethren treated us to the best of the land. The natives are very kind, and seek to make their visitors comfortable. Our wants were well supplied, and we were thankful to our brethren and to the Lord for the great kindness shown us. Acts 28:2. We had a profitable visit in this part of Fiji. It is a most beautiful country and very productive. The natives are more intelligent here than in other parts of the group. This is perhaps due to the fact that they have intermingled much with the Tongans in this part. I fear that morally, however, they are not improved by their Tongan associations. There is much sin here, and a great work needs to be done to elevate this poor people. Brother and Sister Parker have settled in that district. They take up the work with earnestness and faith. May the Lord be with them to make their lives a great benefit to the people of Lau. Pray that their health may be sustained. Three small companies have been established there. We rejoice to see them growing in the truth. We have Sabbath schools at each place, and they are paying tithes. We hope that some will soon develop into workers. There is a great interest to hear, and we pray for laborers to go forth to preach the word. In another part of Fiji several have recently begun to obey the word. No living preacher was sent among them. Our literature was scattered among them, and through reading a few began to obey. Then a half-caste who first saw the Sabbath truth by reading a torn portion of a tract written in Fijian, visited these people. He had been a local preacher for the Wesleyans. He preached the truth as best he knew, and now there are Sabbath keepers in several towns in that district. The work is onward, but there is much to do. The Macedonian cry sounds forth from Fiji, "Come over, . . . and help us." We need several hundred dollars16just, now to get out more literature. Who will help us? Come, brethren, Fiji calls for help. Precious souls are dying for want of knowledge here. Who will help in this great and blessed work of enlightening them? Soon it will be too late to help. Help us now. Send your donations to the Mission Board.