How the Gospel zvas Fhst Carried. 245 
nishes a very remarkable instance of an island stretching 
forth her hands unto God." The people were evidently 
acted upon by a supernatural power, and powerfully drawn 
to desii'c Christianity, even while they were so ignorant as 
not to know the nature of the blessing they longed for. 
Ono is a small island lying one hundred and fifty miles 
distant from Lakemba, and was tributary to that island. 
Ono lies in the centre of a little cluster of islands which 
constitute the most southerly part of Fiji. In the year 
1835, at about the same time that Messrs. Cross and Cargill 
went to Lakemba, the people of Ono suffered from an 
epidemic disease. Their numbers had already been very 
much reduced by wars ; but this epidemic carried off so 
many, that the poor frightened heathen vainly endeavoured 
to stop the disease by offering various sacrifices^ to their 
priests. While in this serious and troubled state, a chief, 
named Wai, had occasion to go to Lakemba, to carry the 
usual tribute, which generally consisted of yams, sinnet, and 
other vegetables. >While at Lakemba, Wai met with a 
Fijian chief who had embraced Christianity, and who was 
enthusiastic in its praise. Wai learned all he could from 
this man, intending to return home, and comfort his own 
people with the knowledge he could gain. Still, his infor- 
mation was very little : only that the Christian worshipped 
One God, the God of Heaven and Earth, and that one day 
in every seven was to be devoted to His worship. He had 
also picked up the idea that in all difficulties and dangers 
Christians prayed to their God, but in what form he knew 
not. However, he went back, told his pestilence-stricken 
neighbours this news, and they at once determined to act 
upon the information. They prepared the food for the 
Sabbath on the Saturday, they oiled their bodies profusely 
with oil, and put on their best native clothes, in order to 
