AN APPEAL FOR FIJI by A. Currow

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 24.

AN APPEAL FOR FIJI.

By A. Currow

FRUIT and vegetables, cotton, corn, coconut, and other valuable productions thrive wonderfully here. A plantation of coconuts brings in a yearly revenue of at least one dollar a tree, besides supplying food. Copra is in great demand. Three crops of corn can be raised yearly. Here is a country where any man with industry can live and prosper. We want some good families to settle in these parts, to be a help to the work. Why live in cities, where iniquity abounds, when such shores as these offer fields of usefulness, with elevating influences all around? The cost of living in the country is very small, if one will but cultivate; in fact, very little cultivation is necessary. Foodstuffs grow so prolifically that after planting, very little attention is given them. There are places where persons of small means could open stores, and, with a small garden, live profitably.

Then, too, we need a medical mission. So far, what little help we have in this direction is in too great demand in other lines of work. The people are very desirous of having trained nurses. The nurses here are mostly untrained. A good field for self-supporting missionary workers offers itself in Suva and Levuka. We must have that element here to give influence to the work. In a year or two it would lend a power of help to our mission. On account of ignorance, much sickness prevails among the native population. The last census shows a decrease of fifteen thousand in a decade. The causes are not hard to discover, but the remedy is not at hand. A physician with an English diploma is necessary here. I trust the time is not long distant when we shall receive help in this way.

If ever there was a time when the educating spirit of the Third Angel's Message was needed, it is now; and here are fields ready for operation. Calls are coming from all directions, and as yet we have no suitable means of travel. For over six months we have had only a small boat at our disposal, and our native preacher has been using this at great risk. It is with much gratitude that we see the willingness of our people to contribute towards the work here, and our hopes are revived as we see the new launch nearing completion. Your gifts towards it are taking material form, and will bear fruit as long as time shall last. A great work awaits its advent. It means more laborers now, and more work for more laborers who come.

The existing conditions at present offer many advantages for our work; but who can tell how long they will last? Opportunities move on and pass away, as do other things. Shall we not give ourselves unreservedly, and all that we have, to the closing work of the everlasting Gospel, thus taking part in the infinite sacrifice that heaven has made in behalf of the universe? It has been decreed that whosoever shall save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for the Gospel's sake shall keep it unto life eternal. Let us take part in the latter.

A. CURROW. Suvá, Fiji.