The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1884-07-15
q CAUSE OF THANKSGIVING.

When we consider the habits Of the
population of other cities, we must
come to the conclusion that Honolulu
has much for which to be thankful.
In the first place it's singular freedom
from cIiques should be great cause
of gratitude. In other towns, men
and women resolve thcmSelves inte
organizations for the discussion OF
the frailties and pecuIiarities of their
neighbors. They say unllind things
about each other. They hint that
Brown is hopelessly in debt or
Smith is surely and steadily drinking
himself TO death. Not So here. There
is none Of that sort Of gossip. No
man or woman can bc found within
the limits of this charitable city who
would, under any circumstances,
speak di~paraging word Of their
neighbOrs. Smith might 90 Ola drink
ing himself 10 death, and Brown keep
running bills n mile long, but no one
would comment on these melancholy
facts. They would net be discussed
in sewing circles nor outside the
church door, nor at tea. People
wouA consider these purely private
matters, and would therefore preserve
a strict silence.
The influence Of Christianity is very
properly credited with this. True
there are some honest natures which
could not err on the side Of malice,
but ii is to the church we owe this de-
lightful condition Of Christian feeling.
There is nothing like the Gospel for
taking the malice out of human
nature. Perhaps intense devotion,
combined with the climate, may I'M
duce Jeanne :, but the bubbling wells
Of kindness flow on as before. The
rigid Christiau is always forbearing,
charitable, and intensely afIectionate
towards his enemies. How anybody
can retain from Christian perfection
in these islands, teeming with Chris
tiau example, is incomprehcnsible to
Us. And yet we have heard that
some of our leading officials are not
perfect Christians, but demean them
selves with levity in church.
This fIatcrnai feeling has stood an
admirable test in the recent fiery
campaign. Gentlemen who have at
tackled one another with viruIeuce ON
the floor Of the House, have been seen
going to lunch, arm i'm arm, at the
noon recess. Everybody loves every
body else, and has the most perfect
faith in the motives and sincerity.
even of his political enemy. We
DO not find this elsewhere. In less
Christian communities political
foemen pay newspaper men to say
hard things, scowl when they meet
on the street, never drink, smoke or
walk together, and in many other
ways show the mutual disgust aud
adherence. Here they are all
brotherly, all living, al III vi, aud
never insert sharp things about each
other in the newspa pcrs. There is
no such thing as scandal knows ia
this community. We believe that
il any prominent citizen were 20 go
reeIing drink through the streets, or
beat his wtf,. ou l.r sidewalk, n"bo ~
would mention t Al! would Keep
mum, simply because they were
Christians ami adhered {, tie
Golden RUE. How thi- ciry escaped
the clique business il is diliicdIt to
say. The early missionaries, those
devoted men who consigned lhrm-
selves to lives of voluntary poverty
for their faith sake, and who never
allowed commerce 80 .ot .an8.ed up
with the Gospel, ARE the riau- sewers
o.. this worthy --el tIn re-t'u' bar
vest oE which wc sa-1 to-day.