How the Gospel Triumphed. 279 
baptized by way of making a public profession of religion, 
the queen of Viwa, among others, was powerfully convinced 
of sin. Mr. Hunt says of her : Her heart seemed literally 
to be broken, and though a very strong woman, she fainted 
twice under the burden of a wounded spirit. She revived, 
only to renew her strong tears and cries, so that it was all 
we could do to continue the service. About a hundred 
Fijians chanted the Te Z>eum, while their voices were 
almost drowned by the cries of broken-hearted penitents." 
The queen soon obtained the answer of peace to the soul, 
and proved an efficient helper in the work of instructing 
others. Soon after this, a nephew of Namosimalua, named 
Verani, embraced Christianity, although strongly dissuaded 
by Thakombau, and was baptized by the name of Elijah 
Verani. He had been a man of blood, delighting in 
cruelty, warfare, and cannibalism. Many trembled at the 
very sound of his name, and feared his wrath as something 
dreadful. So that the news of his embracing the lofu 
exercised a wonderful influence on the surrounding people. 
- Verani had been under concern about his soul for some 
time, had learned to read, and would occasionally, while 
still a heathen, steal away into the woods to pray to Jesus. 
When he made known his intention of giving up heathen 
warfare and heathen customs, Thakombau sent a message 
to him, asking him to delay his profession a little longer. 
For answer, Verani sent the following message : Tell 
Thakombau that I have waited very long at his request; 
but I fear Almighty God, and dread falling into hell fire, 
and dare no longer delay." Then he was threatened with 
poverty and persecution, but none of these things moved 
him ; and on Good Friday, 1845, he made the open pro- 
fession of Christianity, in the hearing of the congregation. 
His penitence for his past crimes was very deep and very 
