IN FIJI 35 
“Shortly after a number of the Viwa people had embraced 
Christianity, a man of some note sent a message to the king 
of Mbau, to allow him to kill Namosimalua. Instead of 
complying with his request, the king sent to Namosimalua 
to inform him of what had taken place, advising him to 
kill the traitor and all of his relatives. He replied, ‘No, it 
is not consistent with the laws of Christianity to punish the 
innocent with the guilty.’ The traitor himself was spared 
when he sued for mercy. This is the more remarkable, as 
Namosimalua had been noted for killing his own people for 
trifling offenses, and often for none at all, but merely be- 
cause he suspected them. The man whom he thus generously 
pardoned is now a member of the church.” 
This beginning of the work in Fiji stirred up pierce hatred 
in the hearts of those whose lives were unyielded to its in- 
fluence. The scope of its power was as yet quite limited. 
It was as a small light whose shining made more manifest 
the darkness by which it was surrounded. The missionaries 
were constantly compelled to look upon “scenes too horrible 
to be described, too full of fiendish cruelty to be imagined 
by any who had not witnessed them. . . . Every vice was 
committed, and every form of suffering endured, by the 
people among whom they lived.” Yet the circle of light 
was constantly being increased, and amid all the perils of 
their position, they “knew they had kindled in Fiji a bright- 
ness which should never be put out.” 
At that time Mr. Calvert declared that they had “brought 
in great power which should never be bound or destroyed, but 
should work on, with sure and mighty conquest, until the face 
of all those islands, in its changed loveliness and peace, should 
declare how the hearts of the people were become new.” 
And, indeed, it was even then so. “Among a people who, 
three years before, had no written language, and the dark- 
ness of whose degradation seemed beyond the hope of en- 
lightenment,” a fountain of knowledge and truth had burst 
forth, and thirsting thousands on dark, savage Fiji were 
drinking freely of the waters of life. 
