Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-09-24
Christianity in the Hawaiian Islands.

EDIToR SATURDAY PnEss :-Pcrmit a few observ-
atoms on the religious revival from one who is in
its power to those who are should be in sym
patty.
The history of the Church of Christ shows that
all ts greatest impulses to new attainments and
growth have come IN the form Of mighty outpour-
ings of the Divine Spirit, commonly In attendance
upon the labors of men of extraordinary spiritual
endowment. Whitfield and Wesley were types of
this class of Christian prophets i'll tho 18th con-
tury. FInney was tho most remarkable one of the
present century, which has been rich in such men.
The quickening of Christian life in England
among all classes by the labors of Wesley within
the resisting Stats Church well outside of it)
was by its moral reinforcement, the salvation Of
England from being wrecked like France in the
revolution of 1880.
The immense spiritual impulse given by the
mighty revvals in connection with the labors of
Finney and many Others chectually moulded into
Christian vigor and solidity tho new and forming
civil society Of western Now York, Ohio and Mich
igan, and through them gave shape and tone 10
the whole mighty northwest Of tho United States.
But for those healing and invigorating forces how
would the barbarisn of frontier life have been
overcome Where but for those rcvivnls, would
have been found the immense power Of Christian
patriotism which carried tho whole north and west
solidly against the disorganizing power Of Negro
slayery. and saved the Great Republic.
Turn TO this wonderful little free kingdom Of
Hawaii uei. From 1S.i54O mn overwhelming flame
of religious awakening covered the whole group.
1t was kndcd by young men who themselves had
been kindled by Fnncy The patient toll OF earlier
prepared the way for the revivalist. Now tho poo
pie poured into the Church by hundreds and by
thousands. This revival made naked. idle,
slavis, race free, earnest, Christian people. IL
was speedily followed by noble joyful Christian
action the part OF KaInehaneha ILL.,, his chiefs
and the whole people, resulting in emancipation
from scrfdopi, free tenure OF lands, n judiciary,
legislature, and organized Constitutional Govern
ment. And that Government has been sfroDg
one as proved by its steady uninterrupted fulfill
ment of its duties for 10 years. daring which 1t has
gained and held the respect and confidence of all
the great Governments Of the world. Its king,
whose parents were once barbarian chiefs, Ia nov
receiving all honor and cordial reception n
Christian gentleman among the princess OF Europe.
What has given this Government suddenly spring
ing up among naked barbarians, its unique
strength aud repute defy anyone 10 give any
other adequate answer than this: II was tho
mighty transformation Of moral character through
out the mnascs OF the native people. produced by
the great revival of ihI5-iO. They became truly
, Christian people, endued with fear Of God and
| loye Of righteousness. The fruit OF firm civil
| liberty naturally followed.
| These Islands are now in a transition state Of
great peril These Hawaans, the grand children
| Of the enthusisstIc converts of 1858, have 10 u
great extent practically forsaken this fear Of the
/ God of their fathers and with that have aban-
doned the regard for what III right and true. These
strong Foundations are sadly undermined. A
great body Of Chinese are pouring In, alions TO all
our instituiiofs Ia opinions ana sympathy. There
| Is wretched Absence OF mutual confidence
| between tho whites who run tho business Of the
Islands and the natives who posssss tho legisla-
view this complication Of evil conditions without
| the grayost apprehsnsons
Now, In this dark hour has come ~ us one Of
| that remarkable Moody band IT Rsvivalists, u
man Of rare magnetic power, and reorganixod by
| hearts OF kindred feeling as IN possession Ut u
special endowment Of Gods Holy spirit. He has
kindied great lame IN our hctits inu u
I spreading Ia great force among the natives. II
! WAS all unex pectal. We arc filed with thankful.
meas and wonder and praise. Tho gracious God
Of fathers ~ Waiting us with his great saliva
ton.
II this revival grows aud fills this whols land
thon aru saved FROM the noisonbs decay oi VIC,
drunkenness aud moral rOttenness that arc sasl
tending 10 make free insliut,ona Impossible, and
~ blot Hawaii from the lat OF independent pso
plos. II We do not receive n deep thorough
| moral reformation r1ch AZ only grand H,,iripts
transformation of masses Of p,oplo eau give IA d
community, then We are without Aglp.
call IN all good mon ~ promote tina work
call on every Chriatien prcstylor Of whateYs
creed 10 do his utmost now 10 bring men W ~
psntanec and faith IN God through our Lord Jssn
Christ, In every way that HIS light aud tho rrac.
that - M him shall onabIv him 10 do. We ar
working ~ save individual SCALA Wa work 4
save teis Kingdom. ALOHA LAnuf