How the Gospel Triumphed. 
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endeavoured to forget the trials of his position, and laboured 
among the people as one of themselves. Ten proved and 
consistent native teachers, with their families, were engaged 
from the Tongan Church, to assist in teaching in the 
Lakemba district. The islands near were constantly visited ; 
while, as the news of the Gospel spread, requests came from 
one and another part of the group, for teachers to dwell in 
the midst of the people on those islands. These requests 
were granted as far as practicable, and daily, numbers were 
added to the Church. One Christian colony was established 
on the island of Munia, as a protection and protest against 
the frequent wars by which that part of the group was 
devastated, and was known by all the heathen round as a 
peaceful, law-abiding, prosperous colony. Many Christians 
fled to this colony, in order to be able to worship God 
without persecution or restraint from chiefs who were still 
really heathen. As a sample of the persecuting spirit still 
existing among the heathen natives, one incident may be 
mentioned. There was at one stage of the mission much 
opposition at Somo Somo, and some of the heathen deter- 
mined to set fire to the houses of the Christians and destroy 
all inside. This diabolical plot was carried out one night ; 
all the houses of the Christians were set on fire simultan- 
eously, and seventeen of the inhabitants murdered. Some 
others suffered martyrdom for their faith, rather than 
renounce it. 
At another time, Tangithi, daughter to the king of 
Lakemba, became very ill ; and as she was a favourite , 
daughter, he looked about anxiously for means of recovery. 
The heathen priests tried all their incantations and arts, but 
in vain ; for the more this was done, the more the illness 
increased, until death seemed imminent. Large sacrifices 
were made to the gods, and a temple was to be rebuilt in 
