Onward in Fiji by J. Edwin Fulton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1902

Onward in Fiji

By J. Edwin Fulton

Our work has been recently started in the eastern part of the group some distance from where our present mission station is established. We had been sending copies of Rarama, our little native paper, to this district, and an interest had been awakened there some time ago, but no public effort had been put forth until the latter part of 1901, when our native preacher, Pauliasi Bunoa, went there to labor and to distribute literature as he might have opportunity. He has been there ever since, and it is likely that we shall have him remain there for a time. Success is attending the efforts put forth, and the interest is extending to other places. Since the beginning of this year about fifty, counting old and young, have begun to observe the Sabbath. The first village entered is now about equally divided between Sabbath keepers and Wesleyans. On a very small island near by, the word was next preached. There are only about thirty persons on this little spot, but all, with the exception of three or four, have accepted the Sabbath. Other villages on other islands are calling for our workers. Brother Currow is there just now, and writes encouragingly of the outlook. He is anxious to see a mission station established in that district. The people are intelligent, and are calling for a school. Some have offered land for this purpose. Brother Currow writes, “It seems a favorable opportunity to have a mission house and school started here. Land, rich in cocoanuts, bananas, bread-fruit, and other native fruits, has been offered us by a chief who has just taken his stand for the truth. He has a fine lad whom he wishes to send to Suva. He seems anxious to help. Already he is paying tithes in the form of produce. What shall we do with his offer?”

The white people in this district look upon our work with favor. Some are specially interested in the medical missionary work. Brother Currow is doing good work in this line. Of that district Brother Currow says, “The islands are all close to one another. The bay is splendid for anchorage. The beach is of white sand, and is not rocky. About two thousand natives are in close proximity. Any one of the islands could be reached in three or four hours. Everything seems to favor the establishment of a mission here. Now is the opportunity.”

What shall we do? The way will not always be open. It costs so much to do anything in Fiji that we feel helpless. We need laborers, we ought to have two good school-teachers now. We need a home for a missionary in that district. We have long thought that we ought to have one there. The present success of our work is a confirmation of this.

What shall we do? We feel like making an appeal to our brethren who read these lines. The Lord is working for us. The door of opportunity is wide open. But we need means to go ahead. Will not some conference or church or individual agree to support a teacher for Fiji? What will others do for us in the way of money? The field is white, but there are few laborers, and money is not at hand. We ask your help. Shall we be disappointed?

J. EDWIN FULTON.

Suva Vau, Fiji.