The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-01-06
The Presidency of oahu College.

The Trustees Of this institution were no.
tilted, at a recent meeting, by President
Beckwith, that In consequence OF the pro
tracted indisposition of his wife, and the de-
cided opinion of her physician that her health
would not be permanently improved while
residing IN a tropical climate, he must re-
sign his situation as President. This an
nouncement has filled the minds of the trus-
tees. students and friends of the institution
with much sadness and perplexity. They
had been fondly and confidently looking to
him as Just the man whose abilities and quail
i6car,ons most eminently fitted him to pre-
side over the infant Seminary. and secure
for il that public sympathy and pecunlary en-
dowment so much needed at the present chi
sis. As he has, however, intimated that he
will not retire for a full twelve month, allow
ing sufficient time for a successor to be chos-
en-. we cannot but earnestly hope and fervent-
lv pray, that the cause of his resignation be-
ing happily removed by a kind Providence,
he may long remain TO perfect that system of
education which he has so happily inaugur-
ated.
1t affords Us sincere qualification to an
nounce that this important step has not been
taken, in consequence of any fears in the
Il ltSfuCnt , Jill Tia AN 80 pr
maturely undertaken or would not succeed.
He has not intimated a thought in that direc-
ton. The Trustees entertain no such views.
They are constantly becoming more deeply
impressed with the necessity and importance
of building up an institution where the founda-
tons have been so auspiciously laid. Its en-
dowment must be secured. The rising gen.
Grafton must be educated here, although oc-
---.---lI -I.I-1 -o ohrood Most
sadly should we deprecate a retrograde ten
dency in this enterprise. There must not be
one backward step. If, in the Providence OF
God, our respected President feels that ne
cessity compels him to retire, there must an
other be sought out, chosen and sent hlther,
unless he can be found upon the Islands,
Punahou tnew spring. must to send
forth Its pure mountain stream! The noble
and generous spring that gushes from its soil,
sending forth its perennial current to freshen,
gladden. and f~ertilize the broad plain, happily
typi6es that intellectual, moral and spiritual
stream which, we trust, may never cease
flowing from that collegiate institution so long
as our islands remain the cherished and hap
DIV abode of human beings. Nature and
Providence indicate that at that favored spot
there shall continue TO exist a never-faiiing
fountain of learning and science.
We are glad TO know that the noble men
who conduct the worldwide operations OF
the American Board of Foreign Missions at
Boston, take enlarged and correct views up
on this subject. They see and realize that
should the Sandwich Islands be left without
q college, university, or such or institution
as this seems designed to be. the crowning
work of the great Protestant Missionary en-
terprise In the North Pacific would be incom-
plete. Every civilized, educated and Chris
tan nation must have an elevated institution
of learning, we'll differed and well endowed.
We are hopeful for the future, and sincerely
trust that the Rev. w. p. Alexander. who
has recently embarked for the eastern States.
succeed in securing funds for an ample
endowment, and. If it finally appears neces-
sary. also of selecting a new President
Friend