232 The Triitinphs of the Gospel in Fiji, 
the priest, so that during these inspired tremblings, he was 
considered to utter the very words and opinions of the god. 
The people thus observed no stated plan of worship, and 
never troubled themselves about a god at all, unless they 
wanted to know something of this kind. It will be seen 
that the gifts were really bribes, intended to propitiate the 
deity, and secure a certain response. Success in war, rain, 
plentiful harvests, recovery from sickness, or wounds, were 
among the objects desired in this manner. 
Divination was also practised in Fiji. One method of 
practising divination, was by shaking a bunch of cocoa-nuts. 
If all fell off, the desired end would be gained ; if any 
remained on the stalk, the prayer could not be granted. 
Another way, was by spinning a cocoa-nut on its side, and 
watching in which direction the nut pointed when at rest 
Others divined by means of water ; others by chewing a 
certain leaf. 
One superstitious custom reminds us of the practice 
formerly observed at the temple of Dagon. No person 
dared to tread on the threshold of a temple. A chief 
stepped over it, but an inferior person crawled over, on 
hands and knees. Chiefs also insisted on the same custom 
being observed at the entrance of their own houses. 
The people went greatly in fear of supernatural appear- ' 
ances. In place of believing that at death everything 
perished, they attributed immortality to animals and vege- 
tables alike. Not only men and women, but dogs, pigs, 
goats, vegetables, stones, trees, tools, and other things in 
daily use, all lived again, and walked about. Some sup- 
posed that man had two spirits : the one, that part which 
went to heaven ; the other, that which appeared in water, or 
was reflected in mirrors. They consequently went much in 
dread of apparitions, and shunned unfrequented rocks, woods. 
