The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-09-14
THE
Commercial Advertiser.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. IA.


In the California Christian Advocate we find
published an 90 extract from a letter by Rev. j.
Maclay, dated May 18th, 1852 in relation to
the Roman Catholic Mission at these Islands !;
and as it is always interesting to know what peo-
pie abroad hear of our I. institutions" we make
the following quotations
"The Romanists are making powerful efforts to
~supplant the Congregational Churches of these ISL
ands. They have recently landed on these shores,
from South America, ten Sisters of Mercy of the
Sacred Heart, and two priests, which, e195d to those
already here, make a pretty formidable corps. They
have a bishop residing here. Their mission has been
established and is supported by France. They have
an appropriation Of two hundred thousand dollars
annually from France. With this they can carry on
pretty extensive operations in the way Of establishing
schools and churches Their arrival at this time, if
not previously arranged and designed, is very oppor-
tune for them. The Legislature, which has just
closed its session, has authorized the establishment of
a marine hospital for INDECENT natives.
1t is apprehended that the management of this insti-
tuition may be given to these Sisters of Mercy, for you
know how insinuating they are, and what a name
they have rs nurses.
1.-THE government of these islands, or the civil gov
eminent rather, has changed its poiicy toward the
Romish Church. Some years ago they were inter-
dicted by law, and their priests sent away: now the
danger lies in the Uther extreme. The government
seems to look with favor on their enterprises. The
Professionalism and Puritanism of the Hawaiian Gov
- nuath - " hitat " " aNBAant Oy TIC DOLHD-
Gus and imposing worship Of the saints The sim
plicity and purity Of evangelical worship is not sufi-
GENTLY attractive to minds uuaccustomed to spiritual
exercises; prescription for opinions sake, however,
is bad policy, IL is sure to react. Sooner or later the
prescribed party will be in sympathy. Bitter expert
ence has taught Rome a lesson she will not forget,
and which her willy Je<uits are now using with tell
ing effect Her martyrdoms were anon her gravest
errors. These female laborers Of the Romish Church
form the most efficient department Of her aggressive
agencies They are quiet, unossentatious and unob-
trusive. The sick-room they softly enter, around the
bed Of death they gather, with the sufferer they
watch, the stranger they take in and feed. These
acts are not forgotten, they are like the silent, ire
sistabls leaven cast into the meal. Their educational
facilities are great, and in this department Rome dis
plays her wisdom. The Protestant Mission Of the
American Board here committed q fundamental error,
in not commencing to teach the natives, from the
very first, the English language, and this ought to
be the object Of every foreign mission. .
The Romish Church, at the. very outset here, COM
menced to teach to the natives the French language,
by this means they are almost certsin to succeed in
winning their pupils to their church. .
Romanism would gladly check and stop the progress
Of the English language; its stores of history let IN
too much light upon her past deeds, its rich and sub
lime discoveries IN nature and art, undermine her
to q reasonable pre-eninence. They are bound
to contest here 6ercely the claims of Professionalism,
and dispute inch BY inch Tie rad 70 dominion"
The above passages contain . number of errors
in fact and it is not just or proper that they
should go abroad to the world withouteorrection
In conducting this journal, it has ofN1R been
our aim to avoid sectarian nliss q oss6i15 Der
10 we here intend to discus the ms1ftp a
of the Catholic faith, bat : few nnrdo d.
of the character Of the CdthoE3 Hon
o these Islands viii, we think, prove ing
o our readers.
ne Roman Catholic e isu