Polynesian., 1850-02-23
Original Corresponding.
For the Polynesian.

For the Polynesian
Ma. EDIroR:-Your correspondent, Cler.
icus, has presented to your readers a subject
Of deep interest, not only to the Hawaiian
churches, but to the whole missionary world.
X Is, perhaps time that the SUBJECT was fully
and freely discussed. l was, therefore, glad
to see the remarks OF your correspondent
And as he has obviously presented but one
side of the subject, he will doubtless be glad
to have the other side as fully presented by
some other hand, and his own positions ex-
amined, that your readers may have the
means of forming a correct opinion on the
whole subject
The subject possesses much greater i'm
portaHce than seems, at first thought, to be
long to it. Your readers will, therefore have
patience, If it is not brought to a close in
one or two communications. / shall be as
brief as possible.
In order to understand the subject fully, it
is necessary to advert to the presentposition
of the American Board and the the Sand
wich Islands Mission.
1t is now nearly thirty years since the
American Mission was established at the
Sandwich Islands. The American churches
lars in publishing the gospel to the Islanders,
in printing books, establishing schools, sc,
Sc BY the blessing of God on these labors,
the people have risen from a savage to
half-civilized state Many of them have ris-
en- from poverty to competence, and some
even to wealth. Churches have been formed
varying from 200 to 5000 members, to whom
the gospel has been faithfully preached for
nearly thirty years. A greater proportionof
the people can read than in some parts Of the
United States; and greater proportion are
members Of evangelical churches than in any
other part of the world. Over these large
churches missionaries are established, not
merely as evangelists, but as pastors. These
pastors have heretofore been supported BY
the voluntary contributions Of churches in
the United States In the commencement of
missionary operations among the heathen,
this is the true method. But how long shall
this state OF things continue Is the work
of the American churches never to be
brought to close at the Islands? If it is,
when' and in what manner! These are
important questions, not only to these Is
lands, but to the whole christian world. The
consideration Of these questions have, of late,
occupied the earnest thoughts of the Direct
ors of this Mission.
At first, they were in favor of Withdraw
ing their aid by devolving the work entirely,
though gradually, on native agency. But
after correspondence with their missionaries
and further consideration Of the subject,
they were fully convinced thai this could not
be done in any definite period, with safety to
the Hawaiian churches. Considering the
instability of the native character, and the
influx Of a foreign population, it was thought
that pastors Of Anglo-Saxon origin must be
sustained in all the more important churches
for an indefinite period.
But how shall this be done, Shall the
American churches continue to furnish the
support Of these pastors for generations to
Gomez Was this the way the Savior design
ed pastors should be supported did he not
plainly make it the duty of churches to sup
port their own pastors, if they had the abiIi-
ty. (See Gal vi: 6. Tim. v: l6 lS, and
many other passages.) If they have not the
ability to furnish an entire support, they are
plainly required to do it so far as they have
ability.
These and other considerations led the
American Board to propose to the missiona-
ries at the Sandwich Islands, changein the
basis Of their connection with the Board,
with reference to their seeking a support
from their own churches, in the same man
ner as Home Missionaries in the Western
States. In this way they propose gradually
to withdraw their aid from the Sandwich Is
lands Mission, and leave the Missionaries
and Assistant Missionaries to be sustained
by resources at the Islands. They are
ready still to grant aid SO far as it shall be
necessary. But they wish the churches to
assume the responsibility Of supporting their
own pastors, as fast and as far as they are
able Some Of the churches. it was sup
pssed, would be able and willing to assume
the entire support of their pastors without
much delay; others would be able to assume
their support in part, the deficiency being
made up by the Board, or by the person.
al efforts Of the pastors, and thus the work
of the American churches be brought grad
uaIly to close at the Islands, and their eff
forts directed to other parts of the great
missionary field.
If understand Clericus, this plan does
not meet his approval; at least, he thinks
the time has not come TO make the COM
mencement Before considering his o5Iec-
tions, which acknowledge to be Of much
weight, shall urge some reasons IN isvorof
this proposed change. A PASTOR.