VIII. 
Translations of the Scriptures. 
The story of the success of the Gospel in Fiji, would not 
be complete without some record of the labours of those 
devoted men who prepared translations of the Word of God 
in the Fijian language. After various trials had been made 
of the different dialects of Fiji, it was decided that the 
dialect spoken by the people of Mbau was the purest, and 
most likely to be generally acceptable. It has already been 
mentioned that the Tongan mission contributed early help 
to the work in Fiji, by the printing of a book of four pages, 
containing first truths in religion, in simple language, and 
another book containing part of the Gospel of Matthew. 
Soon after this, a copy of the Catechism was printed at the 
Lakemba printing-press. Mr. Cargill prepared a copious 
vocabulary, and grammar; and, assisted by these, Mr. Hunt 
translated the whole of the New Testament ; besides copy- 
ing some "sermons," and smaller works for the native 
teachers. This New Testament was translated, printed, 
and bound, for use, by the middle of 1847, and the version 
so commended itself to the missionaries assembled at the 
annual district meeting, that they united in requesting Mr. 
Hunt to undertake the translation of the Old Testament. 
To this, he consented ; but his health was very frail, and 
before he had accomplished one quarter of the work, he 
passed away to his reward. After bis widow returned to 
289 ij 
