The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-04-16


acknowledgement of Divine sovereignty,
however, does not imply belief in Divine
interference with the established order.
Gods hand holds control Of human wills
as well as physical forces. "Such ter
rible calamity as has stricken many
hearts with a grief beyond words to ex-
press, is no mere unexpected outbreak
Of the forces of nature, as when the
Vandalia's wheel went to pieces with a
crash and the rudder was dashed into
splinters by the force Of the waves"
He asked if it was mere fortuitous
arrangement that brought together so
many vessels in that little roadstead OF
Apia, and in the calamity following con-
centrated the thoughts OF the world on
that small group OF coral islets. And
should we applaud or abhor the purposes
or policies that led to the possibility OF
such a disaster? And could we refuse
TO recognize and revere the Divine order
ing OF elemental forces and human pur-
poses in these events. The words we
~use bear testimony to the conviction OF
our minds, for the word disaster, sig
mites the stars in their courses lighting
against the Vaccinations Of men.
We mourn over what seems the use
less as well as fearful waste of life and
property, the object OF contention not
being worth the loss eutailed on the'two
nations involved. SIS it worth while to
bring into these far off waters the jeal-
ousies and rivalries that make Europe
seem like a congeries Of military camps
rather than a sisterhood OF Christian
nations? Why this ruinous attempt to
maintain an ideal balance OF power in
acquisition OF foreign territory as well as
in the maintenance of great military
establishments. The day has passed
when governments or business can, with
any prospect of success, be administered
for the exclusive benefit Of any one per-
son or the excessive gain OF any one set
OF people The idea that controls in the
United States is the idea that must con-
troll all successful administration of gov
ernmental policy, all successful manage
ment Of business enterprises, and that is
the greatest good OF the greatest number
in ways that shall develop the greatest
productivity of the individual and the
greatest community of interest in the
social relations of human life"
Referring to King David's choice OF
falling into the Lords hand Tor punish
ment Of his misguided ambition, the
speaker said we might well be thankful
that brother fell not by the hand OF
brother man in the carnage of inferno
cine war; that we meet to mourn the
loss Of those who persisted not by the
flaming cannon or the flashing sword,
but in the elemental strife as the whole
artillery of heaven had yolleyed and
Numbered on that reef-girt isle"
DR.. Hyde drew graphic picture OF the
fearful scene at Apia, and contrasted it
with the uneventful stay of officers and
men in this port of peace. Yet it needed
critical times to bring out the higher
qualities, the godlike characteristics, Of
our common humanity. Death in the
line Of duty was thought to rouse in us
the sense of honor, fidelity to standard
of character and attainment above the
average ordinary mortal, and his meek.
yielding to feshly temptations OF time
and sense. The spirit that keeps will
supreme over a bruised and mangled
body has in it the immortal element that
shows its kinship with the supernatural
and the Divine. Several instances were
given by the speaker of heroism in the
naval disaster. There was one gallant
officer whose splendid physique and
herculean strength brought to him in
those awful moments no more assuring
fact than the puny strength of the feeb-
lest infant" This man anticipating his
fate went below to write words of atfec
tionate farewell to his wife and family
a fact that is known for the comfort of
the sorrowing ones, "butw where are those
words OF undying love?" He spoke Of
the man who swan through the surf to
launch a boat for the rescue of comrades
in the rigging OF the stranded ship, of
another who swan to the nearest ship to
help in rescuing others. What sym
pathy and encouragement, said he,
twas so heartily shown in the cheers
given with a Will for the brave tars on
the English vessel as she put out to sea
to keep from further imperilling those to
whom nearness meant danger rather
than relief" He praised the magnani-
nous kindness Of the Samoans, "whose
homes andinheritanCe had almost passed
out of their feeble resistance to the
clutches of grasping power" 'who yet
in the hour of extremity made no dis
tinction in ministering to all who needed
such assistance as they had power to
give We might almost turn these
memorial services for the dead into |
peans of praise to God for the instances
of heroism shown by those whose need |
OF praise no words of ours can adequately !
set forth"
The address concluded with an elo-
quent peroration, introducing the sub
lime references to the sea in the Apo |
calypso. Rev. DIR. Beckwith in his |
prayer made touching allusion to the |
lamented heroes who had while here |
joined in the deyotions of that congre-