A PROPOS to the illustrated article by Elder J. E. Fulton, of Fiji, that appeared some weeks ago (February 1) in the columns of the SIGNS, I would like to describe the same thing—fire-walking—as it is seen in the eastern Pacific.
Here the appearance is much the same as that described by Elder Fulton, except that the priest professes to consult the spirit of a wonder-working woman, long since dead. If she gives him favorable signs when he consults her in the woods the night previous, and if he can see her spirit among the flames when the wood is burning, he takes it as a favorable omen, and proceeds with his fire-walking. He calls upon the spirit of earth, the spirit of air, and the spirit of water—three gods—to aid him.
The old high priest of this order in these parts hails from Raiatea. A disciple of his has lived in this island (Rarotonga) for two or three years, during which time he has made several exhibitions of his sorcery. At these times he invites any or all who wish to follow him through the fire, telling them that if they follow him, and do not turn aside or look back, they will receive no injury. Several times many strangers, both whites and natives, followed him through the fire. On the last occasion the hospital doctor here, intent on showing his smartness and his contempt for the statement of the priest that the stones were hot, followed him through the hot stones, but turned aside contrary to the cautions given. One of his feet was badly burnt. On the same day a native girl was burnt. The priest said because she did not obey his instructions, but looked around. Other proof that the stones are hot is the fact that it is a common thing for the natives to put food over the stones, after the exhibition, and cook it as for an ordinary feast.
The natives here fear the priest and often speak of him as "e tangata purepure," or sorcerer. He figures in this island as a native doctor, professing to cast out the evil spirits of sickness by his incantations and his herb mixtures and drugs.
No specific good is claimed for his fire-walking; but the collection he takes up and the notoriety he achieves as a wonder-worker furnish sufficient motive for his exhibitions. As a doctor he sometimes demands and receives considerable sums of money, reaping advantage from the fear and superstition of the natives.
The saddest part of the story is that those who are punctual in attendance at every native church service are themselves patrons of these heathen priests. I heard that some years ago the missionary of one of the islands thought to disfellowship church members who attend these exhibitions. On being challenged by the priest to show it to be contrary to Scripture, he gave it up. So much for belief in the immortality of the soul. J. E. CALDWELL, M.D.
