Untitled article by J. E. Fulton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 16, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 33.

FROM FIJI.

By J. E. Fulton

THERE is much to encourage us with reference to the Lord's work in Fiji. A number of influential natives have taken their stand on the Lord's side, and this has stirred up a general interest to hear the truth. The Lord has gone before us, and our faith has not been large enough—the Lord has turned hard hearts we scarcely hoped for. One very high Fiji chief, with his family, has turned to the "path of God's commandments." He is earnest and enthusiastic in telling his people of the good way. He has never been a Christian. In fact, he has been a very bad man, but we are hopeful he will spend his life henceforth for the Lord.

One of the first to step out to obey the Lord's Sabbath was a native preacher. He has had a long experience in the Lord's work, having preached for the Wesleyans twenty-nine years. He has been a missionary in New Guinea for ten years. After his return he was ordained, and has had charge of several responsible districts in Fiji. He has been studying the truth for a year and a half, during which time he has been puzzling the white ministers with many questions. He got no satisfaction, and, seeing his duty plain, he has cast his lot with us. We praise the Lord for his help. His heart is with the cause and he is willing to aid us in every way. His wife and four children are with him in this work.

Earnest efforts have been made to overthrow the company who have taken their stand, but they are steadfast and growing in knowledge of the truth. A few weeks ago, when the Wesleyan minister (white) preached on the Sabbath question in this village, our native brother had the opportunity at the close of the sermon of asking some very pointed questions, and of defending the truth before a very large audience. One or two points would bear repeating. When Brother Pauliasi Bunoa, our native preacher, was told by the white minister that it is wrong and foolish to turn from the religion in which one is brought up, he replied: "Did Martin Luther do wrong to turn from Catholicism? Was John Wesley brought up a Wesleyan? I am simply following the advancing light as they did. Give me one text to show I am wrong and I will turn back to Wesleyanism, where I have labored hard so long."

Again he said to the Wesleyan minister: "You say I am wrong, and I say you are wrong, but neither you nor I will be the judge, but God is Judge. If, in the day of Jesus' coming I am found wrong, I will accuse Moses, who brought the Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai; I will accuse Jesus, who kept them and never said He changed it; I will accuse Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who, if Jesus changed the day, never told us; I will accuse the great apostle Paul, who never told us, in his many books, of any change, but, contrariwise, speaks of keeping the Sabbath. Now if you are found wrong in that day, who will you accuse?"

Interior of a Richly-decorated Catholic Church in the Philippines, Made at One Time to Do Hospital Service for Sick Soldiers.

There are requests coming in all the time from other towns and islands for preaching. We can not fill all the openings. Our little Fiji tract seems to be doing good.

Young men are waiting an opportunity to come to our school we have promised. We have as yet no schoolhouse, and we know the Lord wants us to have one, so we wait with expectancy for the way to open up and the means to come in.

The Pitcairn left us yesterday morning, June 26, having been with us about ten days. She sails directly for California.

Pray for the work in Fiji.

J. E. FULTON.