The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-10-15
THE CHINESE CHURCH.
PRAISE SERVICE LAST SUNDAY.

There are probably at this time about four
thousand Chinese residents in Honolulu-or 20
per cent. of it's population a much larger per-
centage of this race in Honolulu than in San
Francisco and yet Honolulu can point to her
Christian Chinese Church, whilst San Francisco
has to acknowledge the presence of a Josh
House. There are Chinese Christians, and a
Chinese Christian service in San Francisco but
with her army of Caucasian Christian divines
and people, the Josh House is a reproach to the
great emporium of the Pacific.
The neat new Chinese Church on Fort-street
presented a By rht gala appearance on Sunday
evening. TRai all in the rear OF the pulpit was
tastefully de- beted with beautiful fronds of
ferns and pal 10, The pulpit was radiant with
floral ornam, aation and before the small
parlor organ. laced directly in front of the
pulpit. stood a lloral cross, exquisitely designed
and arranged. The church was filled to its
utmost capacity, and there was q large Caucasian
representation o. ladies and gentlemen, mingled
with monaghan friends. Along with the Revs.
Damon, HYDE, Bishop, and Forbes, were the
Crown Ministers His Excellency H. A. P. Carter,
| and His Excellency j. S. Walker and family /;
and a large company of prominent foreign
| citizens with their ladies Goo Kim, L. Aseu,
Lee Kan, and other influential Cinnamon were
also present.
Professor F. w. Damon, to whom is due the
credit of giving a fresh impetus to the move
ment of Chinese education and Discrimination
commenced in 8 humble way by Rev. DIR. Damon
and Mr.. D~unseombe, led the exercises of the
evening. Prof. Damon and Miss Payson en-
tered the church at the head of the interesting
band of Chinese scholars, singing Marching
on, which produced an enlivening and exhilar-
ating effect. And, as they were marched with
| military precision into their seats, 1t was evident
that China was marching on, and that a heart
and an intelligent soul had resolved to marshal
| the Celestial Empire into the ranks of Christian
| progress on the narrow arena OF our Hawaii mel.
And what q glory for little Hawaii to be enlisted
in an endeavor of so mighty import-one that
seems sufficient indeed to arouse the ambition
of angels,
After prayers and readings, succeeded some of
the sweet minstrelsy of ladies. who have recently
delighted the ears of listening congregations.
Miss Carrie Castle presided at the organ with
her fine musical touch, while Mrs. Cruzan sang
Jesus, thy name I love"
And a little while afterwards,
"Rock Of ages. cleft for me"
Prof. Damon, referring to the sweet chaunt, said
that the ladies were singing ulTtcl 10 the nealI
of China. We trust it may be so, and that
heavenly Caucasian melody and Christian
| thought will touch, subdue, and win the Mon
eolian soul. But you must have patience, Pro-
lessor, and not hope for speedy satisfying
results and you will have patience, no doubt,
for your great and arduous work. As we noticed
the contrast between the full-voiced Anglo-Saxon
utterance of several gentlemen who made re-
marks, and, what seems to US, the monosyllabic
ierky twangs OF the Interpretation We thought
how wide we're such races apart-and then
recalled to mind an incident in point. When
the Burlingane Embassy was in Europe, and
the Chinese mandarins were present at a grand
concert of string instruments and inquiry was
made to ascertain their appreciation of the per-
ormance, they said they liked it sOmewhat-
especially a certain part, which was ascertained
to be the tunint; of the instrument Ears accus-
toned to the tinkiting of the zitara and the rub
a-dub of the tamtam may not readily appreciate
the grand symphonies of the Christian church
organ, and thu clear melodiOus flow of an exqui-
site Anglo-SAxon female voice but We derive
hope and encouragement from the thought
that there is the same human heart everywhere,
and the same inspiration of Divine Love which,
being presented by a faithful and loving inter
prefer, as on this occasion, must win and triumph
in the end.
Mrs. Pierce sang Guide me" in her usual
clear, sweet voice and Mrs. Simmons sang