VIWA AND MBAU. 415 earnestly and often to those few devoted ones, who gained incalculable advantage from his faithfulness and fervour.* An event which greatly cheered and encouraged the missionary band at this time, was the sound conversion of Thakombau's close friend, the terrible Viwa Chief, Verani. For some time he had been satisfied that Christianity was true ; but was kept from avowing his belief by a wish to help the Mbau Chief in war, and the extension of his dominions. The more, however, he became persuaded of the importance of the truths he had heard, the more his uneasiness in- creased, until he always went forth in dread, fearing lest he should fall in battle and be lost for ever. He still professed to be heathen, but often stole into the woods alone to pray to the one true God ; and even on the battle-field, he would fall down and call upon the Lord his Maker. His concern to learn yet more of the Gospel rapidly in- creased, and some very devoted converts watched over him with great care. Contrary to custom, he already learned to read; and when the name of Jesus occurred, he would reverently kiss the book with every sign of gratitude and joy. When mention was made of the death of Christ for sinners, he would say, " Jesus, why didst Thou suffer this for me 1 " All this time he was obliged to go to war ; but his life was repeatedly and remarkably preserved ; a fact which he duly recognised and made cause of thanksgiving to God. At last he laid the whole matter before his friend and Chief, and asked permission to become Christian. Thakombau, who dreaded the loss of so powerful an arm in war, persuaded him at any rate to wait some time longer. Verani loved the Chief sincerely, and was anxious to serve him ; but his anxiety about his own soul greatly troubled him ; and though deterred from a decisive profession of Christianity, he continually made it the sub- ject of conversation and inquiry, and never failed to advocate its claims on others even in distant parts ; unlike his uncle Namosimalua, whose politic and partial assumption of the lotu resulted in but a cold and questionable upholding of its interests. Verani's next step was to urge the terrible Mbau Chief himself to lotu. But in this he failed, except that his influence prevented Thakombau's continuance of active opposition to the good work. The Viwa Christians were untiring in zeal for their Chief's conversion, and several times he had two or three of them with him all night, engaged in reading, conversation, and prayer, until, whether among Heathens or Christians, he would scarcely talk on any other subject than religion.
- See Entire Sanctification : Its Nature, the Way of its Attainment, and Md1d/V6S for Ua
Pursuit. By tlie late Eev. John Hunt. Second Edition. London : Mason.
