The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-06-14
Statement on Leprosy, and Resolution.

ADOPTED BY THE HAWAIIAN EVANGELICAL AssocA-
TIoN, Honolulu, JUNE 10, 1873.
The disease of leprosy in these islands has as
sumed such IN aspect, that it becomes our imme-
date duty to determine our course of action as
pastors and teachers respecting it.
This loathsome, incurable and deadly disease has
fastened upon the vitals of the nation. Although
we hone and believe that it is not yet too late by
the use of sufficiently stern and vigorous measures
to dislodge it's fatal hold. that hold has become
fearfully strong. The numbers already known to
be victims to leprosy, the still larger numbers who
are undoubtedly infected, the steady, remorseless
activity with which it is extending, all tell us with
CHASTITY assurance. that unless remedial measures
are used more effective than have been hitherto
applied, our Hawaiian people will become in a
very few years, a nation Of teperS.
Do we consider what this means? 1t means the
Reorganization and total destruction of civiliza-
ton, property values, and industry, of our churches,
our contributions, our Hawaiian Board and its
work of Missions. 1t means shame, and defeat,
and dissraceful overthrow to all that is promising
and fair in the nation.
We are on the brink of q horrible pit, full Of
loathsomeness, into which our feet are rapidly
sliding.
The chief cause of our peril, is not, that God
who has stricken our nation with this awful judg-
ment, has placed no remedy within our reach. He
has given a remedy, which the experience of wise
men and wise nations has made certain. Nay, He
has laid the rule down in the law given to Israel
by His servant Moses. 1t is this strict, thorough
separation from us of all infected persons, not only
of established lepers, but also of all who are rea-
sonably suspected.
If we obey Gods leadings and follow this rule,
our nation will be saved. If we do not, We are
doomed to an early and shameful death.
Our great peril is from general ignorance on this
subject among the common people, and their con-
sequent apathy and perversity. They refuse TO
separate their lepers from them. They eat, drink
and sleep with them. They oppose their removal
and hide them. They listen to the voices of evil
minded men who raise an cutlery against the King
and his helpers, when they strive TO root out the
evil thing.
We therefore as pastors and teachers. as an asso-
citation have a pressing duty. 1t is this, TO teach.
and persuade all the people TO obey the law OF
God, and separate the lepers from among us. and
while striving to comfort and strengthen with the
love of Jesus the afflicted hearts of the lepers and
their friends, also to teach every leper who cleaves
to his people and refuses to go away, that he is sim
ming against the lives oil men ana against tue III"
of God. Therefore,
RESOLVED, That every Pastor and Preacher of this
Association be instructed to preach frequently. and
p PARTICULARLY to his people, upon the duty of isolat-
ing their lepers, especially as illustrated by the
Mosaic law in the thirteenth chapter of Leviticus
also, that he use diligently his personal efforts to
induce the people to perform this duty.
R~esOlUed, To set apart the 18th day Of July next
as a day of Fasting, OF Repentance before God for
our sins, AID especially for those sins which pro-
mote the spread of this disease, and also as a day
of Prayer to God, to strengthen the King and Off
GERS of the Government in cleansing the land of
this disease, and to turn the hearts of the people 10
help in this work of saving the nation.
ReSOlred, That the names of all the members of
the Association be signed to this paper, and that it
be placed in the hands of His Excellency the Min
lister of the Interior, who is ex-oficio President of
the Board of Health.