A BIT OF MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE IN FIJI.
[From a Mission Board Circular.] FROM a private letter from Brother C. H. Parker, we take the liberty to cull a few sentences, describing one of his recent trips, which show some of the experiences of our missionaries. He says: “As there was no boat that I could get, I took Joe as my guide, and we walked. I never before had such a walk.” They say it is eighty miles. We made it in less than two days. We took no time to rest by the way, but from daybreak until dark kept going. The path was nothing but mud and water. Then we had streams to wade or swim. My feet were sopping wet all the time, and nothing but a mass of blisters and raw places. The last half-day my muscles were so sore that I could hardly lift my feet. It was eleven o’clock at night when we reached Kavula. O the climb of that last mountain! It seemed that I could not do it. My clothes were wet from the pouring rain that had been falling most of the day.” Speaking of the service the next day, Brother Parker says, “It was a good meeting. The hush of the Holy Spirit could be heard. One young man took his stand for the truth.” At another meeting in another town a large attendance was secured, both Wesleyans and Catholics being present. He spoke on the law and the Gospel. “The next day,” he says, “Ratu Mele and two mission boys sailed me down to see Roko Tui Ra. I had a profitable visit. I am astonished at his wonderful insight into the principle of separation of church and state. He is fair, and I believe not far from the kingdom. On our voyage back we got into such a storm of wind, rain, and waves, that if God had not especially intervened, I would not be here to write you this. The boat was nearly swamped several times. The jib was all the sail we could carry. We went ashore for the night, where the natives asked me to preach, which I did. They were deeply interested, and acknowledged that we had the truth. The next morning we started again, and after battling for two hours with wind and waves, we reached Namarai. A wave followed us, roaring like a lion. It seemed that it would rush in and fill our boat, but God was round about us, and thwarted Satan’s designs. After some counsel with the brethren at this place, we boarded a three-ton, undecked cutter for Suva. We had no wind on starting, but soon there was more than we wanted. A squall struck us, and before they could get the sails in, the jib was carried away, the mainsail badly torn, and the boat partly filled with water. I thought my chance for life was hopeless while the fury of the wind raged. I sent up a silent prayer to God for help, and, bless His holy name, He did not fail me. Praise God, the work is advancing all along the line!”