IN FIJI 31 
were borne with patience and cheerfulness. The fact, too, 
that these newly converted ones should so suffer and yet 
seek no revenge, greatly perplexed their savage enemies. 
And when at last these cruel persecutors learned that the 
Christians were actually praying for the king and chiefs 
who permitted, and even ordered, their great suffering, they 
acknowledged it to be quite past their understanding. Many 
had been banished from their homes, and suffered the loss 
of all things. These after a while were permitted to return 
to their homes, and were greatly surprised to find themselves 
“greeted with a strange respect.” Their own firmness in 
their new faith and strong trust in God had brought them 
victory. 
In former times, all shipwrecked seamen who were so un- 
fortunate as to be thrown by the sea upon the shores of Fiji, 
were received as gifts from the gods, and were killed and 
eaten. That this horrible custom had yielded to the influence 
of the gospel was evidenced when a sailing ship named the 
“Active” was wrecked some distance from the island of 
Lakemba. All hands were saved, and succeeded in reach- 
ing Lakemba. There they were treated kindly, and permitted 
to remain at the mission. 
Four of their number soon became impatient to reach land 
closer to the trading routes, where they hoped to hail a pass- 
ing ship. In spite of the warnings and entreaties of their 
companions, they set out in a small boat, but on the very 
next day, as they were passing a small island, some fierce 
savages, seeing the boat, gave chase in their canoe. All four 
men were miserably butchered and eaten. 
Soon after this the captain and men of the wrecked ship, 
having unexpected opportunity, proceeded to Sydney, where 
the captain reported the loss of his vessel and the fate of 
the murdered men. 
The stay of these sailors with the missionaries had very 
seriously reduced the stock of food at the mission, and the 
flour being exhausted, the two families were without bread, 
