The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-02-04
In Monoriam--A1rs. Lowell Smith.

the funeral services of Mrs A. W. Smith, wife of
Rev, Lowell Smith ID. D., were held in the kauma-
kapili Church. in both the HawaIion and English
languages The occasion was an impressive one,
and the large audience-rOom was filled with a
crowded audience of foreign and native friends
assembled to show their affeotionate esteem for
the departed Missionary Mother and their tender
sympathy for the venerable father, and the family
in their bereavement.
The services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Z.
G. OGgel and A. o. Forbes assisted by Rev. Messrs.
]. A. Cruzan c. NJ. Hyde D. d. and j. Waiamau.
Mrs. Smith born Dec. 4, 1900, at Barre, Mass,
her family name being Tenney. Her parents soon
after moved to Brandon, Vermont, where her early
years were passed In the year 1898, at the age of
nineteen, she united with the Church. She was
married TO Rev. Lowell Smith on the 2nd of Octo-
Der, 1852 and the twenty first of the following
month, the youthful couple embarked as Mission
aries OF the American Board for the Hawaiian ISL
ands on the ship MsHtor, in company with Rev. b.
W. Parker and wife. Arriving at Honolulu IN the
Spring of 1888. Mr.. and Mrs. Smith were first
stationed on the island OF Molokai, removed to
Eva Oahu, in 1854. and finally, in 1896 stationed
at Honolulu, where their life work has ever since
BEEN But once in all this period of fty-two years
have they. for a brief period been absent from
their post, when in 1855 they spent few brief
months in visit to the United States.
The deceased lady was n person of more than
ordinary ability and culture. Throughout the
whole Of her life these islands, her labors have
been incessant in the education of the young, and
she has been prominent in all good work. Her
life was given to the good Of the Hawaiian people,
and her loving ministrations went out toward them
until the last DAYS of her life. She was also den
tilted with benevolent work in the strangers
Friend Society and in the 'Women's Board Of
Missions of the Facifcr of which latter organiza-
ton she was President. Her life was bright and
shining one, and her death was peaceful and beau
tiful Her departure leaves vacancy among us
which will long remain untitled. She died at the
full age of seyenty-five years; passing from work
to rest with but brief interval of gentle dissOu
tion of the powers of nature. beautiful life
beautifully finished
"REMINISCENCES.
The following "reminiscences of the late Mrs.
Lowell Smith, written by her for the occasion
of her golden wedding, and are republished at the
request of friend;
Love of children Is the strongest passion of my
nature; and teaching is my normal condition. We
were not pioneers in the missionary work at these
islands, but entered into the labOrs of the good
men and women who had preceded us, and who
had already made successful commencement,
and good progress in the work. There was a
dearth of teachers for the children, and it was
glad day to me, when gathered my first group of
Hawaiian boys and girls about me, and met the
little dusky faces raised to mine, as wide awake
and eager as were the children in the far away
home land. Here was promise, and faith and
hope seemed triumphant.
Sometime after we had become accustomed TO
our new life, Her Royal Highness kinau, then
Regent of the realm brought to me her little son,
Alexander LiholihO, and requested me to receive
him as daily pupil. He was bat three and half
years old but was very bright and intelligent
child. The arrangement was, that he should come
to me every morning with his nurse and spend the
whole day, returning home at night Then fol-
lowed months of delightful work with this sweet
little Prince. gave him his first knowledge of
the English language and | taught him The
sweet story of old" The dear child Grasped
kno Wedge with avidity and delight. He learned
rapidly TO speak the English language, and we had
six happy and profitable months together At the
end of that time his Royal mother expressed her
self pleased with his progress that she proposed
to US TO adopt the child for our own after the Gus
tom of the country, offered to resign him to our
sole care and guidance. Bat the little Prince had
already been named as heir to the throne; and it
was rightly judged that any new arrangement
would involve trouble in the Court and country,
we had to restore the dear child to his natural
guardians, and the establishment of the Royal
School few months afterwards, provided him
with all the educational advantages he required.
But our hearts followed him with tender love
through all his years as Prince and King, and he
called us father and mother" for many day.
Rather early in our missionary life, some of the
more ambitious among the native boys, besought
me TO teach them the English language. was so
pleased with every evidence Of interest and pro-
Gress among them that gladly complied, and it is
| came TO pass that had large evening school in
| the English language, composed chiefly OF young
men, and another during the day for children, in
| successful operation, before the Government had
| established the system of English schools. When
| that system was fairly inaugurated, became
teacher under the direction of the Board of Educa-
| ton, with large school of boys and a few bright
girls Then followed years of very delightful and
| successful work. Everything was thriving in our
| growing in numbers and intelligence and Chris
| tian activities. Good men and true were about
the King andiu the national councils, and through
their aid, and out of his good heart, the King
| gave Constitutional Government to his people,
and this act impaired fresh impulse in the right
direction among them. After many long and
grievous annoyances and oppositions from foreign
| governments, the Three great powers" united in
declaring the Independence of the Islands, and the
| little kingdom of Hawaii was admitted "a new
star in the constellation of nations" SO we pro-
phesied the best things for the future.
| My scholars made rapid advancement in civilized
| and Christian education. With scarcely an e1cep-
ton they gained clear and distinct enunciation
of our English tongue. As the years went by,
they advanced to higher grades of educational pro-
gress and were transferred many of them to the
Royal School, and some attained to honorable
places in Oahu College. As they reached matu-
rity almost all of them turned out well; several
| became excellent teachers of English schools; a
few died young after giving bright promise of use
fulness; some of the girls married native Ministers
and teachers. Then there are now living, stalwart
farmers mechanics of various kinds, printers, and
some time ago bluff. hearty sailor called upon
me, and in giving his name | recognized one OF
my own bright pupils. There was in my school a
merry, wide awake. but law abiding boy, who bore
a name that has been celebrated in song and story
from the Olden time. He is known as Capt
William Tell, the efficient leader of the Police
force of Honolulu. Then there was a very hand
some boy, who was also u very close student, and
who, for the noble stand he always took for riyhi
and truth and temperance, held very warm place
i'll my heart; destined him for the noblest career
in his cOuntry's service. He has since occupied
of the highest positions of trust in IL nation
and at present fills the Office of Postmas Gene
raj in Honolulu.
Of the dear children of my foreign Ieighbor,
and friends who in later years came under my
teaching and training care, | could give man!
pleasing "reminiscences. / must only take the tint
to say, that they made feel, that tho wide eartl
never furnished happier teacher. MANY of thesl
have already arrived to mature years, and havl
taken their places as representative men and wo
men in this, and in other lands. From some o
these have received pleasant congratulatory let
tiers for this anniversary. God bless them all
and may each one ever prove pure and shinin,
light, and Il controlling influence for good in tn
| world.
There is large group of little ones who hav
but recently passed from under my watch and care
Their tender feet have but Just entered upon tn
uutried path of life. Ny heart yearns over these
May the Good Shepherd have them ever in his Low
ing keeping, and may the covering shield of God
protecting care be their defense through all thei
lives, uof none fdH ont By tie irdy.
May God grant that when | meet my pupils a
the last great day in the presence of our Divin
, Master, l may be permitted to present them all
and to say with exceeding Joy, Behold Lord, her
am |, and the children whom thou hast given me.