METHODIST COMMISSION IN FIJ Confirmation of Bible-Burning.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10967, 5 June 1903, Page 5

METHODIST COMMISSION IN FIJ Confirmation of Bible-Burning.

PreßS Association.— Telegraph .-^Copyright. Rccpivcd' June 5, 12.30 a.m. SYDNEY, June 4. T^ie progress report of the Methodist Commission in Fiji" KndT*TKaT'" l the perversion at Namosi was in no way tho results of religious conviction on the part of the people in favour of Roman Catholicism, but was cauped by political agita^tord in favour of the fcde.rfitibn of Fiji with New Zealand.: The defection of natives -was chiefly of a political riatufe; ' and that Cathplic priests took advantage of the political disaffection to pervert" 'the!') people; that in carrying ' this out tho priests tooik the unjustifiable coiirse oil taking possession o'i Methodist premises T that Bibles were systematically ejected and rosaries given in exchange; that 'these Bibles were taken lifty or sixty miles to Naililili, -the- scene y of the burning. The commissioners have'; reason to believe that copies of the Scripture collected in- the Soloira district were torn up by the priests on the passage tp Rcwa and thrown into the river. The burning of Bibles at Naililili is fully confirmcd.>^'!.>;