The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-12-14

WaNeTlnp 1dlJll III SnTlSJlunlUy, anu
the spirit which is quickened, rather
than weakened by the presence of
difficulties. His new field was
thickly beset with these. With
very few of his countrymen he
found q welcome. The religion
which he came to preach was not
favored by the very large majority.
This did not, however, daunt him
and he, with the few who sympa-
thized with him, began vigorously
to devise means for the extension of
the work. In April of 1876, Mr..
Sit Moon, Mr.. l.. Asieu and Mr..
Goo Kim met in the store of the
latter to talk over the best methods
of advancing the cause of Christ
among the Chinese. AS a direct
result of that humble conference,
nearly ten years ago, we have
tonight this pleasant and commo-
dious hall, the numerous brother
hood which is here present and the
goodly and far reaching influences
of this association. Mr.. Sit Moon
related to them the workings of the
Y. M. G. A. among the Chinese in
California, and it was decided to in
augurate somewhat similar move
ment here. 1t was felt, and rightly,
as results have demonstrated, that
an organization based upon Chris
tian principles, open to all who de-
sired to become acquainted with the
'true doctrine" which would at
the same time afford the stimulus
of brotherly sympathy and support,
would serve as a stepping stone to a
later entire and complete accept
ance of Christianity and public
profession of the same. Men, who,
waking to a sense of something
higher and better than the old sys-
TEN of faith and action in which they
have been Graded, yet fear to break
with the past, would here be
strengthened to firmer stand,
while others who may possibly have
joined from lower and selfish mo-
tives, might by the power of the en-
nobling doctrines now prominently
brought before them, be led into a
better life. The three whose names
are mentioned above started the
movement with generous subscrip-
tions. The first meeting was held
in the Bethel Church. In q few
months twenty-four members were
enrolled. The beneficial influence
of the new movement became i'm
mediately apparent. 1t was indeed
the first step, but the way pointed
heavenward. Mr.. Sit Moon was
encouraged here by the presence of
increasing numbers at his religious
services, and the infant church had
gained potent ally, whose influence
from that day to this has been for
good. In November, 1877, the full
Constitution and Bylaws of the
society were drawn up and charter
was granted by the Government.
l might mention here that among
the early acts of the new organiza-
tion was the purchase of large lot
IN the Makiki cemetery to be used
as Christian burial ground. In
1878 retail store was started on
Nuuanu street for the benefit of
the Association. The room over
the store was fitted up for general
assembly room and here every Tues
day evening religious services were
held in the Chinese language. On
Sundays the Christian Chinese at
tended services at the Bethel. The
Y. M. G. A. thus formed a center
for the Chinese Christian element
which, as the members increased,
met later on the Sabbath, at the
Lyceum. In 1880, the Chinese
church was organized and early in
1881 regular services began in the
neighboring edifice on Fort street.
The Y. M. C. A. had, in 1880, a
membership of l20. 1t has aided
the church here in Honolulu with
generous pecuniary donations yearly,
has assisted in carrying forward
Christian work among the Chinese
on the other Islands and has rendered
aid to the sick destitute. In 1882,
it was decided that it would be best
to discontinue the Nuuanu street
store and the amount derived from
the sale of the stock of the same
was invested in a few acres of land
at Palama, the annual income from
which has been devoted to the above
mentioned objects aided by the
Society. During the year which is
now closing unusual interest has
been awakened in the Association
by some of it's members, prominent
among whom has been its worthy
and Jealous president Mr.. Goo Kim.
With him, l think, originated the
idea of building this new Hall. He,
with the preacher, Mr.. Max, who
has lately returned to China, ably
assisted by a number of the mem