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DU 600 W73

1870

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

THE

HE review of the history of the Fiji mission must afford more than common satisfaction to all Christian minds; but it will be easily understood that those who have been permitted to take part in the work will find therein a peculiar gratification, and motives for thankfulness only their own.

Let the reader of the following pages be well assured that they contain nothing but the sober truth, either in the portraiture of the Islanders as we found them, or in the record of the blessings conferred by Christianity upon a large portion of the Group.

Thirty-five years have not yet passed since the two first missionaries landed there, and the labourers ever since have been few; yet the change effected is marvellously great, beyond precedent in modern times. The Gospel, proclaimed in a straightforward and earnest way, has done its old work. The Spirit has. accompanied the truth with His convincing and transforming power; and the result on a grand scale is manifest, real, and deep. Cruel practices and degrading superstitions have been greatly lessened. Thousands have been converted, have borne persecution and trial well, maintained good conduct, and died happy. Marriage is sacred; the Sabbath regarded; family worship regularly conducted; schools established generally; slavery abolished or mitigated; the foundation of law and government laid; and many spiritual churches formed. A native ministry is raised up for every branch of the Church's work. The language has been reduced to written form, a gram

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