The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-04-06
The Mills' Reception.

Tho Mills Reception.
ON Monday evening. March 18th. reception
was given at Punahou in honor OF Mrs. Mills who
with her late husband formerly had charge of the
College and later went to San Francisco where
they established the well known Mills Seminary.
The later has done a fine educational work on the
Coast and many Of our Island girls have availed
themselves of its advantages. In this way a large
circle of friends we're ready TO meet Mrs. Mills and
fey turned out in full force on the 18th ult. Pre-
Ident and Mrs Merritt assisted by their staff of
teachers and the pupils had made ample prepara-
tions for the event. and the affair proved brili-
ant success. An hour or more was devoted TO
introductions and social chat, and then at the IN
stance of the Hon. W. Il. Castle Mr. Merritt
delivered the following;
ADDRESS.
DEAR Mrs. MuLs:-In the last number of the
North American Reriete in article written by an
iustrious man of deeds, entitled, 'An unspoken
Address," ] cannot but feel there is uRsp0ksH
,reloome extended 10 you here tonight that Is
truer, and deeper, and more beautiful than any
which can be expressed In words. also feel We
are the losers tonight, because one of Hawalls
most illustrious men of Deeds our honored VICE
President, feels that be cannot extend the formal
welcome which he and his fellow-trustees of thus
institution desire to have expressed to you on this
occasion. He could speak from personal knowi-
edge of the work 50 well done by yourself ana
your honored husband when you labored in Ha-
waii ne he could welcome you back to this field OF
former years, and mingle personal "reminiscences
of those days with his expressions uf aloha.
But while ] cannot speak from the vantage
ground of personal knowledge of or Identification
with those experiences it is permitted to speak
to you as one who is himself within the mystic
circle to which you have belonged these many
years. and as feliOr-edHedt0r welcome you to
our Island home. And had YOU never before visited
these mid Pacific shores, never before witnessed
the beauty and loyeliness of this island gem, or
experienced the balmy softness of our semi-tropl-
cal cline, it wonld be fitting thing for US TO
extend this welcome to you in recognition of what
hal lone ac af1pd pduoatOr Pacific
in the United States and the priceless boon you
and your husband have bestowed upon the daugh-
ters of CALIFORNIA; yes, of the world, IN the estab-
lishment and equipment of Mills Seminary and
Mills College. We ask TO add our tribute of
gratitude and TO express our appreciation of the
labor, the devotion, the wisdom, which have
marked the history OF the entire work But no
such Limitation is upon We rejoice in your
achievements, but we treioOmc you for what you
have been to u.s. and done for Oahu College.
More than quarter of a century has passed
since you began your labors here, and more than
twenty years since you ceased But the Impress
made by you upon this institution, and upon the
children of those days, still remains. If l have
made mistake in my study of the names OF the
students of those years. III were connected with the
college during your stay. or the 81 boys, five are
to-day members of our Board of Trustees; three
will be members of the next Legislature, while
several others have at different times been chosen
to that duty. From among the boys of those years
have come many of the most successful planters
and business men of these Islands, as well as our
best known lawyers and physicians The girls of
those days are the mothers IN the homes OF to-day
and model homes they are, while their children are
in our classes Both parents and children are in
our classes. Both parents and children, IN large
numbers, have extended their greetings to you in
person this evening, assuring you OF the aloha
they have for you. Of those associated with you
as teachers, think that Prof. Alexander alone Is
here, man whom the people of these Islands love
to honor for Lis intrinsic worth, and large and ac
curate scholarship. But he will be permitted to
speak for himself.
The standards of education which you have al
ways erected have been high Your desire has al
ways been to give a liberal education, one calcu-
lated to equip the individual for the full duties OF
manhood or womanhood, uniting mental power
with high character. 1t needs no words of mine,
in this presence, to say how well you have sue
ceedcd
You came to Oahu College at a time of need.
Under the wise aud careful administration of your
husband, it was launched upon a career of fnan-
cial Independence it had never before known. We
have about US still many of the Improvements in
troduced by him. And vet the Punahou of to-day
is much changed. i can speak freely of these re-
cent changes, as they were largely planned before
/ came. This beautiful main hall is a constant
source of satisfaction. The new Bishop Hall Of
Science provides US with the much needed equip
meut for that department. This grand piano, un-
surpassed by any instrument of Its class upon the
Islands it is believed, is the latest acquisition in
the music department. and reminds me that twas
under your administration that Punahou becams
possessed of its first piano for the of the
school. The receut additions to our College
Library, provided for by the generosity of our
friends, is another important factor made effective
for use.
And again, we stand tonight in the midst Of an
enlarged campus, and one we are planning TO
adorn and beautify If will be years before it can
rival the loveliness Of Seminary Park, bnt, with
our soil and climate and "hapunahOu itself,
with its eTerlowins stream of water, there is no
reason why we may not aspire even to that in time
But am speaking too long, and yet have not
touched upon our revised-and revision is the or
der OF the day, you knOw-our revised courses OF
study or our fourishing PuuahOu Preparatory
school, with its 100 pupils. We feel there are
signs of life and growth for you to see; and still
we have not yet attained, but We are pressing for
ward If that may attain to that which we ought.
But l cannot close without a word of reference
to those you cannot again greet upon the shore of
time. Alexander and Baldwin, and Damon and
Lyman, have passed into the eternal life and TO
tho reward OF the saints since my coming. Allen
| and Coan and Hall had gone Just before came
Father Castle alone remains OF the body of Irus-
tees of your day. and he stands upon the very
threshold of that higher and better life, but pillar
of strength still, though no longer a member of
our Board. # the others Of that day ] know only
their names But, who can tell if, with your hon
Ored husband, who has also Joined that glorious
| company, they may not even now rejoice with us,
May we so live and discharge our trusts that when
the Lord shall call we too may go TO be with them.
And now, into the midst of our work; and in the
midst of this company of friends We welcome you;
! uOt VIII IOTtldl NBlCOtnb- DuIf Ol Tue
past in view of the present. aud in expectation of
the future, welcome you with genuine and
| hearty aloha"
On the conclusion of the address, Mrs. Mills
made a ready response, which was enthusiastically
received. Professor Alexander, head of the Gov
ernment Survey, and at one time professor of
! languages at Punahou, made pleasant speech
speaking of the work of Mr. and Mrs. Mills al
Punahou, Mrs. Dillingham; read poem, composed
! for the occasion. Messrs. Dole and W. X. Castle
sketched some of their school boy days. The
/ Punahou Glee Club sang some excellent selections
in a spirited manner. and after the advent of ice
cream, cake and other good things, the reception
broke up. 1t was most pleasant and most pro
| per compliment to pay to one of the wOrthiest
! ladies that has resided and worked in HaWaii nei