The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-07
TRUE CHARITY.
Easter Sunday I'm the LePer Hospital
at KakaakO.

The general rejoicing last Sunday over
Easter was not confined TO the churches
in the city, but extended to the leper settle
ment at Kakaako, where the unfortunate
inmates we're provided with an abundant
feast of fresh pork, vegetables and other
daint ties not usually included in their bill
of fare.
They we're visited, too, By the President
of the Board of Health, accompanies BY the
Attorney General. and these gentlemen had
an opportunit of witnessing the gratitude
and simple JOY OF the lepers at The feast pre-
pared for them. While in the refectory,
the good Sisters being present, and be-
fore they sat down to the we'll filled
tables, the President Of the Board of Heal b
addressed them. He told them that it
was a day of general rejoicing among
Chris tian people of all denominations, in
recognition of the triumphant rising from
the dead of the founder of Christianity, the
chief object of whose mission on earth was
to save and succor unfortunates like them
selves. The speaker added: . Your King
and Queen are inspired by the spirit Of
broad Christianity established by its
founder, and the Kings Ministers, partak-
ing of this spirit, desire to assure you that
this principle animates them, and their
policy is TO care for those who are suffering
and are poor. They were pleased to meet
the inmates of the hospital and witness the
care and management of the good
Mother and Sisters, who we're there to
share their misfortunes, if need be. and
alleviate their pains and sorrows in every
way they could ra-%
One leper replied very feelingly that they
too rejoiced in this day. They rojoiced in
the good feast spread before them; bat far
more did they rejoice when they heard
words of comfort and sympathy
which they had had proof again and again,
as they had now, would be carried out by
ind acts.
Our reporter observed with what gusto
these people-some 100 in number, only II
being absent--enjoyed the good things; with
what true Hawaiian relish they devoured
the fned so much to their taste. - IS
At the close of the feast the Mother
Superior ordered the distribution of very
large box of cigars, presented by the Attor
ney General, which caused not only great
satisfaction but good deal of merriment,
as all were eager to publ baka (have
smoked, luxury which the means of the
Board of Health do not permit of their Civ
ing them. The President of tue Board of
Health took his luncheon with them, aud
Heartily enjoyed it too.
By invitation of the Mother superior. the
n; Fad h ftJ,araI NF
mena attached to the hospital. It was most
beauiil,tll< decora te.: with rich array Of
flowers and ferns towering in handsome
pyramid, grouped around the figure of st.
Philomena and the cross, and piled high at
the base of the altar.
The thought must have occurred to any
one looking at the lovely decorations of
this modest little chapel, Who are these
decora tions intended for T.? They would be
seen but by few lepers. As far az these
noble women knew-they whose delicate
hands arranged the lovely and sweetly per-
fumed floral gifts at the feet of st. Philomena
their labors would never be published
to the world. Nor, it is safe to say,
would they wish that what they have
done should be known to the out
side world. Yet beautiful and fragrant
as were the floral offerings in the chapel.
in the sight of the good God at whose shrine
they were laid, they were as nothing COM
pared to the more lovely, more fragrant,
and far more enduring sacrifice of life's
pleasures that the Sisters of Philomena offer
every day of their lives in their amending
round of duty at Kakaako.