A Missionary Among Cannibals

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. Viwa: 1842, 1843. The new Station -- Namosimalua -- Training of Native Teachers -- Light and Dark -- Various Engagements -- Death of Mr. Cross -- Letter to Mr. Calvert -- Chairman of the District -- Visitation Tour -- Searchings of Heart -- Snbelief-- School Work -- A Day's Eecord -- Letters to Mr. Lyth -- To Mr. Williams -- Literary Work -- Kindness imposed upon -- Letter to Mr. Calvert. Me. and Mrs. Hunt reached their new station safely on August 30, 1842, just three years after .the commencement of the mission there by Mr. Cross. Viwa is one of the small islets which rise from the reef on the eastern coast of Na Viti Levu-- Great Fiji. At the time of the missionary's arrival it was of great political importance, and one of the most valuable dependencies of Mbau, the seat of the highest power in the group. It offered great advantages as a mission station, in consequence of its being only two miles from Mbau, where as yet the missionaries had been unable to gain a footing, and because of the frequent visits it received from people belonging to all parts of Fiji. The chief of Viwa, Namosimalua, was, as already stated, a man of great note. For some years he had been prominent in every conspiracy by which Mbau was troubled, and every war by which its greatness had been increased. In all these scenes Namosimalua distinguished himself by his craftiness in council and stratagem, while his fame as a warrior was deemed bloody and savage even in Fiji. This man had renounced heathenism and professed to be a Christian. It is too true that he never was really a Christian, yet he kept to his profession of it in the face of the displeasure and threats .of the powerful king of Mbau. In addition to this, he befriended the missionaries, while...