2/0 The Triumphs of tlie Gospel in Fiji, 
opposed the Gospel ; yet the Lord bore with him, and then 
severely afflicted him, so that he was made to listen atten- 
tively, during a long affliction, to the faithful warnings and 
constant instructions of Mr. Lyth. But when he was raised 
up, by God's blessing on Mr. Lyth's skill and care, he again 
resisted God's truth. Now he has been suddenly cut off 
without remedy, and he will have no excuse when judged 
by Jesus Christ.'' He anxiously asked, "And does the 
Lord work so ? " The missionary visitor replied, " Yes, 
you have been faithfully warned and instructed \ but you 
have refused to abandon your sins and seek God's mercy 
through Christ. Now the Lord has tried you in various 
ways, and afflicted you. You ought to submit to God, and 
seek His mercy." Thakombau felt all this very keenly, and 
permitted Mr. Waterhouse to establish a mission in the 
town of Mbau ; and although from time to time, cannibal 
feasts were held, yet real progress was made, and religion 
seemed to flourish under the king's protection. 
It was, indeed, a painful crisis in the chief's history. 
The American consul was incensed against him, and 
recommended that he and his town should be destroyed. 
His friend, King George of Tonga, also wrote to him, 
advising him to resist no longer the advance of Christianity. 
So, on one memorable morning, April 30th, 1854, the 
drums were beaten to call the people to a religious service 
conducted by Messrs. Calvert and Waterhouse, and the 
king publicly lotued, or embraced Christianity. In an 
audience of about three hundred people, the king, sur- 
rounded by his wives, children, and other relatives, took the 
important step. All the people fell in with it, and numbers 
crowded round the missionaries, in order to learn to read. 
Thakombau's little son, a child of seven years, who had 
professed Christianity before, by his father's permission, 
