Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-02-16
Original Correspondence.
For the Poly ynesian.

! For the Poly nesian.
| EDITOR POLYKEsIAN:
My. Dear Sir:-In pursuing the inquiry
What-more than they have hitherto done,
can foreign residents do u inspire the Ha-
waiians with self-respect, remark, second
ly, they can prepare and put into the hands
OF chiefs and people, more helps Of a scien-
t'hc and literary character, and thus aid them
so to cherish the feelings Of selfrespect that
they may become an intelligent, Industrious
and prosperous community. The considera-
lions and appeals which may present in this
paper, will be designed mainly for those who
sustain to the people the relation of pastors
and teachers-who were sent hither to eIe-
vate the entire nation to a high state of chris
tIan civilization. say mainly, for though
help III the department of fbook-making would
be thankfully received from literary and
scientific men not particularly pledged to
this kind of labor, still it is not to be expec-
ted that they will enter upon this work. To
my fellow iaborers then look, and may
not add, have right to look? in behalf of
the Hawaiian nation, for aid in this depart
ment Of labor.
have noticed some Of the books already
published in the Hawaiian language did
this, with thanks to each man who has put
his hand to this work But we can do more
A grammar of the Hawaiian language can
be written and published, and this should be
done as soon as possible. A dictionary of
the language should also be prepared, there
being nothing at present but meager out
line. A concordance of the Bible is pressing
ly needed, and other helps for the study of
the scriptures. A compendsof universal his
tory, should be put into the languagesof Ha-
waii, as soon as possible. Scientific tracts
should and might be prepared, which would
afford pleasure and instruction to that class
of Hawaiians who have been brought for
ward in our Seminaries. Simple treatises on
Chemistry, Botany, Astronomy, Geology,
would be of advantage to this class Of Ha-
waiians. Something is needed on agricul-
ture, and mechanics, physiology and law
In a word the people need something new;
something which shall startle, and thorough
ly arouse the Hawaiian mind from the torpor,
the lethargy, the grars of sluggishness, in
which it has lain and purified for ages.
The subject, Mr.. Editor, is one Of vast
Importance. How much has been said and
written on the waste of mind. By this is
meant the neglect to develope the mental
powers, or the mIsdirection of these powers
In regard TO the Hawaiian nation, the diff
Guilty is, the non-development, or the partial
development Of the mind. ] cannot think
that there is any particular lack of mind.
To use fgurative expression, would say
here is the ore, as much more valuable than
the gold Of California, as man is of more
worth than the dust on which he treads.-
But to bring this up to the light, separate 1t
from its alloy, and send it forth genuine, in
all IFS beauty and worth; here is a demand
for labor, patient and enduring toll. Here
is work &r ourselves anu for our children, |
and if God shall spare the nation, for our
children--for generations unborn.
But though arduous, difficult, and protracted,
the work must be performed, for tits as i'm
poItant as it is arduous. Helps such as
have pointed out, must be provided, or the
Hawaiian mind must continue sterile, and
like the blackened fields Of lava which one
so frequently meets with here, and on which
for any useful purpose, the sun shines, and
the rains fall in vain, call forth the pity or
derision of men of cultivated powers Of mind.
Would that the loss were no more serious
han that sustained by the nation, in the roll
ling of rivers of liquid fire across their rich
plains. ::
Mlnu milu aOut, ucdT witucsS Ssi anu ASo'SH,
The living fountain in itself contains
OF beautcous and sublime.
So says the poet; and he might have ad-
ded, ssthe living fountain Of all that is great
and venerable. Weighed in the balance
Of Gods word, it may be said, that the waste
Ct single mind is greater loss to His uni
verse than would be sustained by the anni-
bilation of all the gold and silver created
since the world began. Indeed, no language
that can be employed, no figure of speech
that imagination can form, will express the
amazing superiority of the immortal mind to
every created object
Here then, Eiends of Hawaiian improve
ment. fellow laborers in this field Of ministe-
rial and educational toll, here is work of
amazing agnjtude and Importance prepared
% our hands, the development and right d.
rection of mind-mind on which God has
stamped His own image, and which IS as i'm
Mortal as himself. For several years past,
yery little labor in the department of Prepar-
ng food for the mind, has been performed:
Hence the apathy among Hawaians OF all
classes, the Aagnation of thought, the retro
,rade movement of. things among US.
therefore beseech you to put your hands TO
he work with renewed vigor. What we do
or the race in this respect must be done
nuickIy. The time is shsrt. The people
are passing away. Strangers are coming IN
o occupy their country. The Hawaiian race
nav become extinct Still let us do all IN
bur power to elevate and save the remnant
# the nation.-If they must pass away,Iet
IS labor to prepare as many of them as pos
,ible to enter upon a higher state OF exis.
ence with purified. enlarged. and cultivated
minds.
February, 1850.
For the Polynesian.
DEAR EprroR:-" The hand OF the diii-
rent maketh rich, but the slothful shall be
rCr1omo0