The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-12-06
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
DECEMBER 6

PERHAPS the best evidence of the present civ
ilized condition of the Hawaiian nation is that
beautiful structure just completed, which stands
at the foot of Punchbowl Hill, and is known
as the QUEENS HosPITAL. Under any circum-
stances, the erection of such a building in
any country would indicate the existence of
the highest order of Christian benevolence to-
wards the destitute sick, who are unable to
provide their food and clothing. much less
to obtain the medical assistance and care ne
cessary to restore health and p%rolong life or
alleviate the sufFerings inseparable from the
last hours Of dying humanity. But when to
this it is added, that the plan of erecting a
general hospital originated in the heart of
our noble QUEEN, who herself received these
philanthropic impulses from her generous adopt
ed father, the late DIR. RooKE. who in one
of the first numbers of this journal warmly
urged an effort being made to erect a hos
pital, and whose life was eminently devoted
to the care of the sick and suffering natives
and when it is added that these benevo-
lent impulses of the QUEEN found a ready
and efficient response in the breast of His
Majesty the KING, who without waiting to
know whether the public would approve of
it or not, Immediately set to work, and with
his own hands and his own voice has been
the principal instrument in securing the means
necessary to erect the edifce of which We
now speak-when these facts are stated, what
better evidence can any one desire, that our
beloved King and QUEEN not only merit by
right as well as by birth the position which
they occupy, but that the Hawaiian nation,
as represented by them, deserves no mean place
among the peoples Of the earth.
We are all bounden by the laws of Ma
ture, by the laws of God, and of our COM
mon humanity, to assist in providing for the
sick and the destitute. No one can feel him
self exempt from this obligation. And though
beggars, as Il class, are almost unknown
among US, and our charities are seldom soli-
cited for them, yet We need not be remind
ed that there Is a vast deal Of suffering in
our land. One needs not to 90 beyond the
suburbs of the town, to find the weather
worn grass hut, through the dilapitated roof
of which the chilly rain finds its way,-to
discover here and there, even now, the sick
and diseased, enfeebled with years Of suffer
ing and want, attended by ignorant and SUI
perstitious nurses, whose ministering, in too
many cases, only adds to the misery and
hastens the end of the suffering patient. We
esLIiiJA w bA-he iDt ~ ctAN puA tNtS u
these facts. but recognize their existence, and
seek TO aid in any and every effort to allie
viate if not cure. As parts of a community
we are only called on in aiding the sick,
to do what we should do. In his address at
the laying of the corner stone of the hospi-
tai, His Majesty expressed the same ideas in
language which will bear repetition here
Blu let me remind you that so long as sickness
ar1sr .hara will 10 a Inrr 1rur,sai ,,p1 go
Charities, like taxes for the commonw ealth, have to
be met from time to time. There i no committing for
n given sum. and claiming exemption for all time to
lou give according 10 your means for the
time being. When the next call comes, your caps-
bilities may be greater or less, and according TO your
capabilities you will settle with your consciences.
do not envy the man who would wish Of such n
thing were pOssible) TO pay 1T one instalment all the
claims of humanity. There Is something wholesome
in being called upon from time 10 time TO acknOwl-
edge. however strong our own health may be, aud
destitute and the sick are our brothers and sisters
our lot happier for the time being. bot cur liability 10
US human. and members Of the human family. So
ciety makes distinctions broad enough, but strip US
Of our artificial robes. and We are one and all equally
exposed TO the keen winds Of want and the torments
OF disease / trust, Therefore, and indeed | feel conf
dent, that you will continue your support, to this
praise6Orthy institution"
Rev. Mr.. Anthony (of the Methodist Church
in this city, gave expression to the same
sentiments. in his remarks ut the annual
meeting Of the Sailors Home, which we find
reported in the FI7end of the LIST
society ought TO consider itself a. = kind Of j5int
stock association, by which a certain amount Of labor
IS 10 be performed. and a certain amount Of benefits
The law that should regulate the distribu-
Of benefits, requires that every man receive ac-
cordIng to the amount Of siOct, or which, in political
economy, means the same thing. the amount Of labor
he contributes towards the accomplishment Of the
desired end. The relative Importance Of th labor he
contributes should also affect his receipts, for all
ascessaTy labor - not equally important He should