Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-02-28

Are we as Hawaiian subjects living beneath the
sway of Nero2 If the rights and Responsibilities
OF freemen are granted to all residing on these n,
lands shall we refuse to exercise these RIGHTS and
reel the weight OF these responsibilities, because
some eighteen hundred years ago. Christians were
thrust to the dust by the iron hand Of despotisn
Shall His ministers be deprived of the rights Of
lheir Fellow Christians, because their Lord in an
age OF comparative darkness, waved His claim TO
tne throne OF David, and submitted to be smitten
by the rod of despot? To argue thus one needs
to forget that he is the latter half of the nine
teenth century, and to shut his eyes to the light
which is now penetrating the darkest and most
remote corners ofthe habitable Garth
Sd. The commission under which clergvnen
from the U. S. at the islands are acting, and the
nature of their work, show conclusively that the
voluntary REIMBURSEMENT ofthe work of politicae
agitation would be morally wrong, would endanr-
Ier the cause of morality and religion, would tend
to Illustrate the object for which they came hith4
er.
Mr.. WylIie tells Us in his communication of Jan.
18th that "IfI have rightly understood the nstruc-
tons of the missionary Board in Boston, they do
not encourage any such intermeddling with poll
tics and he adds, al can see 10 good reason why
clergymen who do not depend upon the Board
should covet as privilege, not to be bound by its
good and saiutary rules much as those who de-
pend upon It," know of no clergyman who COW
cts any such privilege. The fact is, Mr. W. has
not rightly understood the instructions of The
Board on this point. The Pioneers of the Mission
were instructed thus :-"You views are not TO be
limited to law or narrow scale, but YOU are TO
open your hearts wide, and set your mark hich.
You are to aim at nothing short or covering those
islands with fruitful fields, and pleasant dwellings,
and schools and churches; of raising up the whole
people toan elevated state of christian civilizations
Every clergyman from the u s., SO fara as know
whether mi nd tha II
to act up to the spirits of these instructions But
how he can do so If he stands back from all politi
cal questions If he refuses or neglccts to instruct
MS people relative to their duty as freernen have
not sagacity enough to see. admit that when the
earliest missionaries were sent hither, the nation
was pagan and the government despotic, SO that mo-
expectations were cherished of Immediate politcal
results. But broad principles were laid down
which were to be acted upon so soon as the inf1u
ence OF the gospel was to be felt in the destruction
OF ldolatry and despotism. How these islands car;
be filled with fruitful fields and pleasant dwellings,
and schools and churches unless the teachers of the
people are allowed to do their duty politically. il
to me inexplcable. Is it concern to them,
and has it no bearing on their work whether men
OF intelligence and sobriety,-men who fear God.
and regard the rights of their fellows shall be
elected by the people to make laws for the nation?
need not answer this question. The slightest
attention to the subject will show that it is impos-
slble to disconnect morals and religion from poti-
cal action. God hath joined them together. Let
no man attempt to sunder them. cannot fell
that the clergyman who neglcts to instruct his peo,
Pile as to their political privileges and obligations,
does his duty. The slang SO often thrown out
that ministers have no right to adabble in the
dirty waters of politics" is unworthy of liberal mind
ed intelligent men. In nation like the Hawaiian.
t is the duty and the privilege of cergymen to see
hat the political waters which bubble up pure and
-etreshing, bekept from being contaminated by the
eet of unprincipled and selfish demagogues IF
his right is wrested fren them by law, If in the
middle of the 18th century, the state shall inter-
luty, let them quietly submit but let it be distinct
understood that on the state alone rests the ne
possibility. SERVUS.
February, 1852. ,~----s..,..