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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 37.

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Fiji

By C. H. Parker

C. H. PARKER
We had a good time at our native council, and the Lord came very near. There were about two hundred present, fifty-seven of whom were delegates. Perfect harmony existed throughout all the meetings and deliberations. The spiritual tone was of the best. Our people manifested much greater intelligence in the meeting than has been shown before. In speaking to the recommendations, they spoke right to the point.
One recommendation was on tithing. We spent an hour considering this question, and it was a most profitable hour. There was the greatest interest taken in it. Many had had the idea, though they never had expressed it openly, that tithe should not be paid until all debts had been settled. We had copious showers of the latter rain.
A resolution was introduced to build a ten-fathom Boys' Home with iron roof, and that all of our people in Fiji should be invited to help. After the service in the evening, those who were present were asked how much they felt like giving. There was no urging or compelling. The Spirit alone worked. What was our surprise, when the amount and pledges were added up there was about thirty pounds. This was one of our best meetings.
All of the services were heart-searching, and sin became very hateful. There was a great deal of confessing and putting away of the works of the devil. Our social meetings were feasts. The last one lasted from six in the morning till nearly nine. There were two to four on their feet all the time. There was not a moment lost. We had to close the meeting before all had spoken, so we asked all those who had not had the opportunity to speak, to stand. All that remained were on their feet in a few moments.
A wife of a native Wesleyan minister took her stand, and a few more from the outside. Our meeting adjourned, and we went to the water, where I baptized twelve dear souls. The minister's wife was one of them.
It was the expression of one and all, that this was the best meeting that we have yet had in Fiji. Well, it was all because the Lord did the work. The week before the meeting, we, as workers, spent in seeking the Lord together. We studied the Bible and the Testimonies, and laid our hearts bare before the Lord. Each morning after the social service, we, as an executive board, went off by ourselves, and pleaded with God for his special guidance and help in the exercises of the day. The Lord did not disappoint us, but granted his help far beyond our expectations. The work went very easy, and the clouds which I so much dreaded, broke with blessings over our heads. We praise God for his wonderful help, and what has been accomplished.
The past year has shown some fruit. There have been sixty-four added to our numbers. In this time, six have died, and four have apostatized, thus the actual increase had been fifty-four. A large amount of reading-matter has been placed in the hands of the public, and quite a number of books have been disposed of. Forty-one have been baptized. We were able to add one additional laborer to our staff of workers, and hope before the close of the year to appoint another to the work. All of our people and workers are of the best courage, and there was no discouraging word or report borne.
We have quite a little matter waiting our August council, which will take some good, solid consideration. The church building question for Suva will be considered, also the publication of literature. We are anxious to get the message into every part of these fields as fast as we can.
The press engine has been installed and runs nicely. Its first trial in printing will be next week. It will be some time yet before the engine for the “Cina” [their boat for work among the islands] will be here. Sister Williams will be going into her house next week. There are ten girls who will live with her. Others will soon be coming. If it were not for a native law, which makes it very difficult for a girl to leave her town, we would have quite a number more girls at the present. Several more students have entered the school, and others are planning to attend.
Buresala, Levuka, Ovalau.