The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1888-10-30
MISSION LIFE IN HAWAII.
Memoir of Reverend William p. Alex
ander.

memoir OF reverend " llllaln 4. Sie1-
ander.
Our Hawaiian literature has been en-
riched by this brief memorial OF one OF
the honored fathers OF the Hawaiian
Mission. 1t is an unpretendipg little
volume OF 1876 pages, and in appearance
and style fitting testimonial to the
Quiet worth and lovable geniality OF one
of the most active and useful members
of the whole missionary band. The
portrait of the venerable patriarch does
not reproduce the brightness OF the eye,
that was SO quickly sutfused with SYM
pathetic emotion, as the soul responded
instantaneously TO the changing moods
of thought. How quickly the lips would
bring out some playful sentiment, no
stranger could imagine as he looks at
the strong, deep lines OF the features
here portrayed. But in the book the
earnest, gentle, helpful, winsome soul
speaks for itself in the photographed
sketch, and the letters and addresses,
i which make up volume OF tender and
iaspiriting "reminiscences. 1t is book
20 make better any one who reads it,
@more kindly disposed to his fellows,
with deeper admiration for the divine
model on which this loving, earnest,
useful life was shaped.
He was humble, kind, forgiving meek.
Easy to be entreated, gracious, mild,
And with all patience and affection taught,
Rebuked, persuaded, solaced, consoled,
warned
In fervenl style and manner. All
Saw in his face contentment, in his life
The path to glory and perpetual joy"
When after thirteen years of labor in
the Hawaiian Islands the number OF
converts was less than 1000, and half OF
the small population had not even heard
the Gospel, the American Board inquired
of the missionaries here, how may the
Gospel be brought TO bear more success
fully on the Hawaiian people? The reply
was that at least Al more preachers
and teachers should be sent at once.
Without delay the Board sent out re-
Enforcement OF thirty-two persons, the
largest missionary force that had ever
been sent out from the United States.
Nineteen sailed from New Bedford iii
the whaleship Averick, November 20,
1881. They were Rev. Messrs. Alex
ander, Armstrong, Lyman, Emerson,
Forbes, Hitchcock, Lyons, Spaulding,
and their wives, DR.. Chaplin and his
wife, and Mr.. Rogers, printer. Mr.
Alexander went first to the Marquesas
with the idea OF beginning missionary
work there. But as the London Mis-
sionary Society had made arrangements
to occupy the islands, Mr.. Alexander re-
turned to Honolulu, and was stationed
at Waioli, Kauai. There it was his pri
vilege to engage in the incessant labors
of those wears of wonderful religious in
terest, 1865 Here he shared in the
labors that transformed heather saw
age people into a Christian community
with homes and schools and chapels and
orderly industries. But the failure OF
health through a perilous misadventure,
in which he and his horse hardly es-
capped from being engulfed in some
uuicksand in a swollen stream, necessi- |
tated his leaving that station in lS43.
He was put in charge OF Lahalnaluna
Seminary, and there made his influence |
felt through the young men trained by |
him, and the text books prepared for gen
eral use. In 1856 the sedentary nature
of this work had so impaired his health |
that he removed to Wailuku to take !
charge OF the native church there, and
there he continued to reside during the |
remaining twenty-seven years OF his life. |
1t is with this Waikiki home that the |
memories OF the present generation will
associate Father Alexander, and his |
hospitable, motherly wife, whose por-
trait is also given in the latter part OF the |
book, q speaking likeness Of one of the |
best of mothers, and kindest of friends. |
Pictures of both the Waioli and the Wal |
luku homes are given, and so We have in
this little book what the printers art
can do in a fitting way to preserve the
remembrance Of these beloved and hon
ored Christian workers, and the pleas
ant surroundings which they created,
Christian home with the sunlight and
gladness of heaven about it and in it, as
well as the sweetness and brightness
of earth. They will live for ever in
undying influences for good in the cher
ished memories of many hearts. ID.
THE book noticed above, was prepar-
ed by Rev. J. NJ. Alexander and printed,
not published, at the Pacific Press
Office, Oakland. A few copies came to
Honolulu by the last steamer for dis
tribution to friends. Mr.. S. T. Alex
ander and Prof. w. D. Alexander have
assisted in preparing the book.l
Postal Union with Hawaii.
Editor Bulletin: A closer postal union
with the Hawaiian Islands has been