354: FIJI Als^D THE FIJIANS/ their hands, and explain it to them, and they judge for themselves which to receive or tc refuse ; their own reason is the guide, and I cannot attempt to control their choice " Respecting the pictures representing the horrors of the Inquisition, now most hap- pily abolished, because the minds of civilized men could no longer bear the existence of such abominations, I can have nothing to say, further than that they, as in duty bound, did show the extent to which the corruptions of the Christian religion, when turned from its straight and simple course, could go, as all history can testify ; and myself, with several officers of this ship, saw exposed in the houses of the Priests at Tongatabu pic- tures representing a tree, from the branches of which all who did not adhere to the Popish Church were represented as falling into hell-fire, — a most false doctrine to teach, and dreadful, accordingly, to the teachers of it.
- With respect to the garments worn by the Clergy, which are complained of as
being treated as absurd, it is impossible to control men's minds as to what is absurd, or what is serious ; the natives of all countries, civilized or barbarous, will form their opin- ions upon such matters. " In conclusion, you wish me to assist you in these difficulties. From the Missionaries of the Protestant religion, so far as I have ever seen, you have received no obstruction ; both religions, the Protestant and Roman Catholic, have got their own light to show, and must take their own mode of showing it, according to the doctrine of the Churches they abide by. I can by no means interfere in the matter ; the road is open for the exercise of the exertions of all well-intentioned men, clerical or secular. The Church of England has its Missionaries ; but they do not interfere with those sent out by the Society of the Wesleyaus, (differing only from the mother Church in discipline, not in doctrine,) that they may not produce confusion or uncertainty and doubt in the minds of those they go to teach. The world is large enough, and it would tend far more to the progress of the Christian religion if the Ministers of the Church of Rome, which diflers from all other churches both in doctrine and discipline, would confine their labours to the natives of those places which have not yet been open to Christianity " I can only state that I have not even seen, or ever before heard of, the Native Teacher you complain of; and in matters of this nature I have nothing to do. My duty extends no farther than the support and protection of the British subjects settled in these islands, for the advancement of religion and commerce. The "Wesleyan Methodists have nothing whatever to do with wars, except to use their best exertions to prevent them ; and when that is impossible, they retire until they are over, when they return to their former duties. The Chiefs well know that they have the power to receive or exclude any foreigners who may desire to settle amongst them. I can have no idea that you have any reason to fear the calumnies of the Native Teacher ; the time of those people is, I believe, entirely taken up by their care of the Protestant natives under their instruc- tion : nor did I ever before hear that there was the slightest occasion to fear the perse- cution of a Wesleyan Methodist. " With respect to the questions which you have asked me, as to whether, in my opinion, yourself or a Native Teacher is best fitted to forward civilization and religion, and should the preference be given to the Native Teacher, where in Fiji you could estab- lish yourself, I must decline giving any opinion upon such subjects ; nor can I in any way interfere with the Chief of Rewa, to cause the removal of any Protestant Teacher whatever." Ratu Nggara was now too firmly established to be easily over- thrown. Phillips, after a sottish and licentious life, died at Nnkui, and was buried at Mbau, his chief wife being strangled at his funeral. Many towns which had fallen away from Rewa during the war, now gave in their allegiance to the new King. Another event which greatly c.nfirmed his power, was the arrial of some Chiefs who had fled from
