General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

Missionary Talks - A TALK ON FIJI

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen

Morning Meeting, May 23, 6 A. M.

Elder J. E. Fulton occupied the hour from six to seven in telling of the work among the natives of the Fiji Islands. Brother Fulton showed a number of interesting curios, among them a war-club, a plate, and a fork, that were used by an old chief in the days of cannibalism. These had been presented to him by the son of this chief, with the request that he show them to his people as an evidence of the power of God to turn men from idols to the worship of the true God. GCB June 3, 1909, page 302.12

The natives of Fiji are an intelligent people, as are others of the South Sea islands; and there are among them those who now have an intelligent knowledge of this message, said Brother Fulton. GCB June 3, 1909, page 302.13

I have often been asked whether our native Sabbath-keepers in the islands are faithful and loyal. I will answer this by giving an illustration that came under my notice. GCB June 3, 1909, page 302.14

When we went to Fiji, we of course knew nothing of the language, and had to learn it. We were told that it was useless for us to do anything among the natives, for as soon as we left them, they would fall back to their old habits and customs, and our work would be lost. However, after we had learned the language, and had presented the truth, some accepted it. This company was organized into a church. A leader for the church was appointed, as well as a leader for the Sabbath-school. Then the time came when we went away to another place, and the test came. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.1

The old man who had been placed as a leader, Tavita (David) by name, was a mild, gentle old man, with a love for the flock and a desire to see them grow in grace. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.2

One Sabbath day there was a meeting in the village, at which the natives were to don their old war dress, and dance and sing, followed by a feast. At the same hour at which this program was being carried out, every one of our people were called together by Brother Tavita. He preached from three to four o’clock, but as the service closed, he heard the sound of the music and dancing. He said, “Brethren, the music is still on over there, we can not leave yet. I will begin and preach the sermon over again.” So he spoke for another hour. At five o’clock, the music was still going on, and he turned to an old chief, Ambrose, and said, “Ambrose, will you talk to the brethren a little while?” So Ambrose exhorted them to be faithful. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.3

After he had talked for a time, Brother Tavita called on the Sabbath-school superintendent to talk. As he finished his talk, the sun was setting, and he said, We will have our evening prayer now. After a number had prayed the service was closed. I think you will agree with me that that company were loyal to the Sabbath truth. Not even one of the children left that church while the feast and dancing were going on. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.4

This company has grown in numbers and in knowledge of the truth. The last time I visited them, three persons presented themselves for baptism. These had been brought in as a result of the work of the native church. Since that time eight or more have been baptized by Brother Parker. I can assure you that our brethren in the islands have a genuine experience. They make good Sabbath-keepers, and they love the truth just as you love it. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.5

A few more words about Brother Ambrose. He had been a very wicked man. He was one of the smartest gamblers in the island. He was a drunkard and a wife-beater, and he had been twice banished by the government. Some of the white people said to me, “You look out for old Ambrose. He will do anything for money. If he thinks there is anything in it, he will profess to be a Christian.” When he began to attend our meetings night after night, I often remembered these words. A number came out, but he was not among the first. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.6

One morning as we were having an early Sabbath morning meeting, he came in. We presented a few words from the Scriptures, and he bowed with us in prayer. After a few had prayed, the old chief commenced to pray. That warning came into my mind. But as he prayed, the fears were dispelled from my mind. He wept and confessed his sins, and pleaded for mercy. As the prayer closed, he arose and humiliated himself in the sight of his own townspeople by telling them what a wicked man he had been. He asked them to pray for him, and he gave himself to Christ. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.7

That was about ten years ago. He did not give over everything at once, but as he saw the light he walked in it, and he has since been a changed man. As far as I can see, he has lived a consistent Christian life. His conversion has been a marvel to many who knew him as he was, and who can but behold the wonderful transformation of character. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.8

Now because our people were taught to leave off bad habits, and unclean foods and unclean drinks, the native people gave us a name. They could not easily pronounce in their language the equivalent of Seventh-day Adventists. So we are known by the name of Lotu Savasava, the clean church. Brother Parker and myself have received letters addressed to “Ai Talatala in Lotu Savasava,” which, translated, is “The preacher of the clean church.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.9

I want to tell you a little incident that has given me great encouragement. About ten years ago, four young men from the interior of the largest island of the group, came to our mission station near the coast. They had never seen the sea, except from a distance. As they passed our place toward evening, they sought shelter, and we permitted them to remain overnight with our native young men. In the evening we had worship, and, as usual, a portion of the Scripture was read, and we had prayer; and in the prayer these young men were prayed for; and again, in the morning, before they left, we had worship, and they were prayed for. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.10

Before they left, my wife took the old prophetic chart, and pointed to the image of Daniel 2, and gave them a little Bible study. They asked something about the beasts represented on this chart, and then she told them a little as to the meaning of these symbols. We soon thought no more of them, and heard nothing of them for years; and it was only last year that I heard of them once more. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.11

One of these young men, I learned, before leaving the sea-coast, secured a copy of our Fijian paper, Rarama (Light-Bearer), and also a copy of a little book of Bible readings. Afterward, when he opened the book, and saw the image of Daniel 2, he thought of the Bible study that had been given him; but still he did not change his life. He was a careless young man, but he took the book and paper to his home, and gave them to his brother, who was a teacher and a sort of preacher in one of the mountain settlements. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.12

This brother took the book and paper, and read them, and continued reading them for about four years, and then, after studying his Bible much, he decided he must obey the truth he had learned to love. So he told his townspeople of his decision. They were displeased. The people told him that they would not like to have him continue teaching their children, and that he would have to leave. But one old man asked him to explain why he had changed his views. With much trembling, the young man took his Bible, and read scripture after scripture in defense of his faith. When he had finished, the old man said, Matthew, stay with me; and then one after another of the people asked him to stay with them. It seemed evident there was opportunity for him to remain; but Matthew said he could not stay, unless he would be allowed to bring to them a missionary who would teach them more of the things he had learned were true. They assented, and he came down to our people, and got Alipati Rainima and his wife, native missionaries, and an old man by the name of Moapi and his wife, and the five of them returned to the mountain village. They preached morning, noon, and night, in season and out of season, and the whole village was stirred. Then Matthew and Alipati went to other villages. As the result of this, one hundred people were turned to the truth. The greater part remained true. We now have in the mountains three organized churches. This shows, brethren, what can be done. GCB June 3, 1909, page 303.13

But my story of these four boys is not closed. When I was over at the training-school, at Buresala, a native man wanted to shake hands with me, and he said, “Don’t you know me?” I had to say that I did not. He identified himself as one of the four boys who had stayed with us that night on their way to the sea. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.1

Then he told me of the story I have already told you, of purchasing a copy of the paper, Rarama, and of the little book, and of taking these to his brother up in the mountains. “And now,” he said, “I am here at the school, receiving a training in the hope of becoming a missionary.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.2

“What about the other boys?” I inquired. He pointed to a young man not far away, and said, “There is one. His name is Timothy.” There were two of the boys that had sought shelter for a night at our mission home ten years before; and these were in training for service in the mission field. “The other two boys,” my informant declared, “are up in the mountains, but they are both keeping the Sabbath.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.3

I could not help thinking of the scripture in the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes, which reads: “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Let us never become slack or unbelieving in the work of circulating papers, and in doing little acts of kindness. We do not know which will prosper, this or that. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.4

Literature GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.5

We have a few books in the Fijian language. Among these are an abridged edition of “Great Controversy;” a little hymn-book with 100 hymns in the Fijian language; a physiology, prepared primarily for use in our school work, and containing many illustrations, with some instruction on simple remedies. Besides these, we have our paper, the Rarama, and a number of tracts. In connection with our Fijian training-school, at Buresala, we have a little printing-office, which has proved of great service. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.6

Among our Sabbath-keepers in Fiji are some who were once in gross darkness; and among our number are a few old people who were once cannibals. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.7

We have in the Fijian group thirteen organized churches, scattered in many parts of this territory. One church is located on the island of Lakeba, where the gospel was first proclaimed in Fiji, in 1835. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.8

The one hundred and eightieth meridian crosses the Fijian group, in about the center. So you see we have the dayline close to us. We have no trouble whatever with this line, in Fiji, although there are Catholics and Wesleyans and Mohammedans in this group. In fact, we understand that the farther people are from the day-line, the more likely they are to feel perplexed over it. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.9

I should like to relate to you many other experiences, to show you how God is going before us. It does not make any difference whether a man’s skin is light or dark,—it is God who changes the heart; and in Fiji the hearts of many respond readily to the truths of God’s Word; and these people are just as precious in God’s sight as any other people on the face of the earth. And when the third angel’s message touches their hearts, they are just as genuinely converted as their brethren elsewhere with white skins. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.10

The Lord is near. We recognize his presence, and we give glory to him for manifold blessings received in Fiji. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.11

At the close of his address, Elder Fulton answered many questions regarding the natural resources of the Fiji Islands, and the manners and customs of the people. By request, he repeated the Lord’s prayer in the Fijian language, and sang a native hymn. GCB June 3, 1909, page 304.12