Evangelising Fiji

A Century of Mission Progress

"THE conversion of the Fijians to the ‘Lotu’ is one of the most romantic stories in the history of the Christian Church,” wrote Rev. W. Deane, M.A., B.D., in the “Sydney Morning Herald” of April 6.

In the course of a long article he tells of the struggle of early Methodist mis sionaries to combat cannibalism and other hideous barbarian practices. He recounts how they sowed the seeds of Christianity, which later were to flourish under the devoted service of such work ers as Williams, Hunt, Hazelwood, and Watsford, until a century later Fiji was completely evangelised.

Four days’ sail from Tonga lies the Lau Group of Fiji, and to the small island of Lakemba journeyed Revs. William Cross and David Cargill, M.A., in 1835.

These two missionaries are generally re garded as the founders of the Fijian Mis sion, writes Mr. Deane. Already in the group, however, were two Tahitians, refugees from the Society Group, who had been landed at Oneata Island by the Hibernia, and who had influenced many natives towards Christianity. There were, also, a few Tongan Christians settled in the group.

Relating the circumstances that brought Cross and Cargill to Lakemba, Mr. Deane says that there had been a remarkable re vival in Tonga under the preaching of Nathaniel Turner. As a result the two missionaries decided to undertake the evangelisation of the “Cannibal Islands.”

King George of Tonga strongly supported them, sending an official ambassador with presents for Tui Nayau, King of Lakemba.

Cross and Cargill arrived in Fiji in the Blackbird on October 12, 1835, and went ashore in a small boat, anxiously await ing their fate. Making their way through a menacing crowd of natives they reached the King’s residence, and were hospitably received. Tui Nayau agreed to build houses for them, and when the dwellings were ready the families of the mission aries came ashore from the schooner to live and work among the natives in the name of their church. Later a native chapel was erected.

The landing 100 years ago will be cele brated in Fiji this year. On October 12, a great memorial church, now being built, will be opened. Twelve massive pillars will support the roof, and the church will look out towards the spot where the first in trepid white men landed.

The first convert at Lakemba, continued Mr. Deane, was a Tongan named Faubula.

He married a Fijian girl, and because of his newly-confessed faith was driven

away to Tonga. There he entered the na tive ministry, his son following in his footsteps. Faubula’s grandson also joined the missionary ranks and studied theology under Rev. A. H. Wood, M.A., B.D., at Tubou College, Nukualofa, and at the Mel bourne College of Divinity. He is Rev.

Jiotame Faubula, L.Th., who is now in Australia doing deputation work in the various States for the Methodist Mission ary Society of Australasia.