APOSTATE CHRISTIANS. 135 
and gale, there was a temporary lull in the weather, and 
our trip was altogether a pleasant one. About noon we 
halted at Buretu, a fortified town, which has never been 
taken, and is therefore regarded as impregnable. If it 
is so, that must be owing entirely to the bravery of its 
inhabitants, for the low walls with which it was sur- 
rounded did not impress us with any great strength. 
Some years ago a good number of the Buretu people 
embraced Christianity, but when at a subsequent date 
the town rebelled against Bau, they became apostates, 
nor did the restoration of peace make them relinquish 
their pagan religion, and they had at the time of our 
visit, one of the finest temples in the whole group. 
These and similar fluctuations must be expected in all 
attempts to introduce a new faith, but from which Fiji 
has been more free than many other countries similarly 
operated upon. Wherever Christianity was preached in 
the group it took a quick and firm hold, and the ultimate 
conversion of the whole population is merely a matter 
of time and £. s. d. If. the Wesleyan Society had 
more funds at its disposal, so as to be able to send out a 
greater number of efficient teachers, a very few years 
would see the whole of Fiji christianized, as all the 
real difficulties formerly in the way of the mission have 
now been removed. On my representing the case in this 
light, his Majesty the King of Hanover was graciously 
pleased to subscribe as his first gift, £100, towards so 
desirable an object, at the same time expressing his ad- 
miration for the labours of individual missionaries I 
named. If the Fijis should be taken by any European 
government, the prosperity of the country would best be 
