306 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. " May 25th, 1842. — I revisited the island of Oneata in our little canoe, which received unusually rough treatment in crossing the La- kemha reef; but we were mercifully preserved from serious hurt, and taken safely to the end of our voyage. Our work at this place is re- tarded for want of sufficient native help. The anxiety of the people to improA^e makes their present circumstances the more lamentable. I stayed with them three days, endeavouring to benefit them by preach- ing, attending to the schools, and visiting the people at their homes. The anxiety of those who have lately cast in their lot with the Chris- tians to read God's word, was striking ; and the cry of ' Love me and help me, that I may know my book ! ' assailed me from all quarters. " Wishing to visit our little Society at Mothe, I sailed for that place on the 28th ; but the wind setting in against us, we put about, and ran down to Lakemba. I was somewhat anxious to get to Mothe, as I expected that a large canoe would call there, to take me on to Ono. The first favourable opportunity which presented itself of proceeding to Mothe arrived on the 1st of June, on which day we could get no far- ther than Aiwa, an uninhabited island a few miles from Lakemba. The half-starved rats came out to share our frugal fare, and seemed deter- mined not to rest or to let me rest all night ; so that, having watched some time for the morning, I was glad to take my departure at sunrise. After a tedious voyage of sixteen hours, we reached Mothe. Expect- ing to leave this island speedily, as the canoe I wanted had" reached it before me, I assembled the Christian natives and Tongans early next morning, and gave them a sermon. However, we did not sail until the next day, and then only proceeded a few miles, when we were driven back again by stress of weather. " Sunday, June 5th. — We had an excellent attendance at our Fijian and Tongan services. . Contrary winds detained us until the 11th; so that I had time to visit nearly all the people on the island, most of whom are Heathen. On one of my excursions I found a few people dwelling on the top of a considerable mountain, amidst the ruins of an old fortress. This unexpected opportunity of declaring God's love to a fallen world was cheerfully embraced, and the poor outcasts listened with attention. " Vulanga was the next island we made. Its appearance is pleasing, and its structure different to most in this group.* We found the peo- ple generally destitute of all that can make existence desirable : such poverty I have not witnessed before in Fiji. Vulanga had not been visited before by any Missionary, so that my arrival created a little stir.
- Bee vol. i, p. 4.
