Historical information
Joeli Bulu was one of the first missionaries to Fiji. Not a Christian when he grew up but was converted after listening to John Thomas in Tonga. The king of Tonga had just been converted to Christianity and asked for volunteers to go to Fiji as a missionary. His reception in Fiji was not welcoming, but he was such a tenacious chap and because he was likeable he became one of the most influential missionaries in the South Pacific. He was a rascal as a young man in Tonga and the meeting with John Thomas was the thing that changed his life. Very well regarded now in Fiji. His active period was the 1838 to 1870 - John Thomas came to Tonga in 1826.
From Wikipedia: Joeli Bulu (Siaoeli Pulu) (around 1810-May 1877) became a Christian in 1833. He was one of a band of Tongan teachers who came to Fiji in 1838, and pioneered the work of the Christian Church in this group. He served the Church in Fiji for almost four decades. He came to Lakeba by canoe, and was appointed to help with the printing of catachisms and passages of Scripture. Lorimer Fison translated Bulu's oral account of hislife. This was edited by George Stringer Rowe and printed in England in 1871 with the title, "Joel Bulu: The Autobiography of a Native Minister in the South Seas". He served first at Lakeba and then at Rewa, and after that the station was closed because of the wars, at Viwa. John Hunt sent him to investigate the possibilities of establishing the work in Vanua Levu, and to that field he was later appointed. He was the first Pacific Islander to be placed alone in charge of a circuit - Ono, in 1848, and also the first to be ordained (1850) as a Native Assistant Missionary. After this he served at Nadi (Vaua Levu), Bua and Cakaudrove where he pioneered the work before any white missionaries were established there. Afterwards he was appointed to Bau. He died in May 1877 and his grave is beside that of John Hunt at Viwa Island.
Physical description
B&W photo, no backing, print from The Argus files, dated 30 March 1933. Tongan beareded old man, wearing a traditional (Fijian vala or lap-lap) and carrying what looks like a fly swat, but is more significant than that. Dressed as a Fijian chief.
Inscriptions & markings
"Joeli Bulu" "1/2 col Argus" and "Return to Rev. A. W. Amos 148 Lonsdale St" all written in pencil on the back.
