Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-01-03

we welcome TO the ranks OF Honolulu
journalism the old Friend in its new dress.
We welcome it because we think-from the
nature of the changed conditions Of our island
life--that the new Friend will occupy a wider
field. We may miss the cherry optimism which
made land makes stilD the outgoing edi.
tors influence unique anon Hawaiian
Municipalities; hut we shall find compeni
sation in the aggressive effort of two men not
more sincere, yet certainly more combative.
We print below extracts from valedictory and
salutatory.
DR.. Damon says
Forty-years ago, the 18th of this month, was
issued Volume |, No. 1, Of The Friend
During all these subsequent years, the sub
scriber has been both publisher and editor.
1t is period embracing the best part of a half
century, and covering the reigns Of three kings,
and parts of two others. Vas, have been the
changes in this "Island world OF the Pacific -
during this period; and If the reader peruse the
more than 1900 pages OF this monthly, he
may gether no unreliable and untrustwor,hy
history Of the past half century. There is no
such complete record, in the government arch.
ives or church records, of deaths and marriages
among foreigners, or Of the arrival and de-
parture Of ships, and passengers, besides a vast
amount of useful historical memoranda. A
historian might confne his research to the more
than forty volumes Of this paper, and write q
history of Polynesia, including its commerce
and the progress Of missions. So valuable has
the Friend become in historical point Of view.
that years ago request came from the British
Museum for a complete file, and even now MI
Bancroft, the historian of the Pacific coast, /,
employing one Of his secretariee in CAREFUL,
cleaning data from its pages. Here are fount
the full reports Of the whaling fleet, the early
accounts of the gold discovery in Californii
and Australia, and also a full and comple,,
history Of missions in the Hawaiian Islands
Micronesia and other groups. Special attention
has been always given to the last mentioned
topic, for true history of missions in its va
rious branches, may be regarded as but an ap
pendix to the "Acts of the Apostles"
In concluding this brief valedictory, can
not refrain from acknowledging the kind Pro
violence, under whose sustaining care an,
guidence, more than half million copies o
this paper have been scatterd broad.ca anon,
landsmen and seamen. II affords satisfaction
that this little sheet has cheered the cabins an,
forecastles of thousands OF vessels as they hav
cruised in these Pacific waters and the Arti
seas. With the kindest wishes to my succe
sors and the reading public.
The new editors say:
The parting words Of DR.. Damon tell Of
continuous existence through forty-two years @
this monthly publication, whose further man
agement has been entrusted to our care Il
these parting words DR.. Damon sets fort
clearly and comprehensively the history Of Tn
Friend and the wide influence which II ha
exerted during these many years.
1t will be the endeavor of the present editor
to make The Friend an interesting and usefu
paper for old and young; and to aid all whom
It may reach, on land and sea, in leading sue
lives as God in his word commends. We asl
Of our readers encouragement and support
that we may the more efficiently subserve tn
the interests Of ALL We assure DIR. Damon q
our appreciation for introducing US so favorabl
to the public and for his expressed interest i
our behalf ann the increasing usefulness {
The Friend. To the daily and weekly pub
locations Of this city we convey our thanks 70
kind expressions and wishes With thes
words Of greeting we assume the managen,er
Of The Friend, looking in this new channel {
effort for Divine direction and approval.