The Cause Advancing in Fiji.
By John Edwin Fulton
It is now less than ten years since direct work was commenced for the natives of Fiji. Just previous to that time, and just after having arrived from New Zealand, the writer can distinctly remember what his feelings were in commencing work among a strange race in a strange land. Early Labors and Difficulties.
At that time there was not a Sabbath-keeper in the group, excepting ourselves. We were at first without a knowledge of the language or the customs of the people for whom we had come to labor. These must first be learned. There were a great many hindrances, which at times almost amounted to discouragements. We could hardly explain some of these to our brethren far away, and I am certain many misunderstood our situation altogether. Those early days of labor in Fiji were days of toil. We are glad that by connection with the Australasian Union Conference, and also having the frequent visits of Brother Gates, our needs and conditions became better appreciated. After about a decade of labor in Fiji, it is most interesting to review the history of13God's work in this group of islands. The Lord has moved before us in a most wonderful manner. Our work has now opened up in a number of islands in the group and we now have ten organized churches and a number of companies. Calls are coming in from many parts for labor, and there seems to be indications that there is still to be a goodly harvest of souls. We have recently held a most interesting council meeting at Buresala, where our missionary training-school for natives and also headquarters for our mission in Fiji are now located. We had about one hundred and forty natives present at this gathering. There were thirty-seven delegates from the ten churches and unorganized companies. A great interest was taken in the meeting, and I am sure that our brethren who are readers of this paper will be glad to hear that the good Spirit was present. There was not a jar in all our business meetings. Our native brethren went away greatly strengthened by the instruction. Some who had been in the background were helped forward, and the meeting closed with an excellent feeling. The Foreign Mission Spirit.
Our missionary work at home and in the "regions beyond" was held before our natives, and they were enthusiastic over plans to carry forward the work of the closing message. They showed themselves willing to sacrifice for its advancement. Of their own free will, without even a suggestion from us, they proposed in the meeting that in every place in Fiji where a church or company is raised up, a piece of native land be donated to the work, and in one place where we have been renting land of the natives, the natives of that place took the initiative in proposing that that land be given over to the mission without remuneration to them. They also desire to take hold of the circulation of our Fijian literature. We now have a paper published monthly, a number of tracts, and two bound books for general circulation, and a small hymn-book. A number of tracts are now called for, some of the old ones being about exhausted, and some needing revision, and new ones being demanded. It is most encouraging to hear the reports from the brethren who have been brought into the truth thru the instrumentality of literature. Even a little calendar which we prepared years ago was referred to by one of our students as being what had led him to the truth. This little tract, for it was a tract, had a page for every month with a Bible-reading on each, as well as the calendar for the month. The school work under the supervision of Brother and Sister Carr is progressing nicely. This is a great factor in our work. Brother Parker, who has charge of the mission, is full of hope and courage. His wife, who has been very low, is better. Brother Smith, who has recently connected with the mission, is taking hold of the new work with energy. Our native laborers are doing good work. We wish we had more, but the school is here for the purpose of training workers. Old Pauliasi Bunoa, our ordained native minister, is well, and we were rejoiced anew at the conference to see how helpful he is in our work. May God bless the work and workers in Fiji. J. E. FULTON.